Valve adjusting wrenches- any new sources
 

ebay stuff looked pretty spendy.. any leads on the wrench sets for sale?

The Hazzets are spendy no matter where you look. I ended up having some made.

They are spendy alright, but one trip to the shop for an adjustment will cost what a set of wrenches cost. then the next adjustment, you can pay your self.

there was a guy on e-bay a while back that would put up one wrench at a time for $7. I did see one that went for the $7, only one bid.

I paid about $58 for mine on e-bay, but they also came with several other MB tools :D

Charlie

If you want the Hazet set you have to wait and bid on eBay and hope you are not out bid.
Monstermechanic on eBay sells a home bent set. Mercedes sources sells another home bent set on eBay but you can buy a set of Hazet wrenches for almost the same.

The only cheap way is to make your own.

Or people keep saying that if your remove all of the Fuel Injection Hard Lines you can do it with regular open end wrenches except that at least 1 may need to be ground thinner at the head.
If you remove the Fuel Injection Hard Lines you will need to know how to bleed the Air out of them.

I did not remove my fuel lines, and I used straight wrenches . . . I did grind one 14mm down a tad . . . of course it may be different on a 617? only the last #5 cyl though . ..

Bite the bullet and get the Hazets
 

I bought the Hazets on ebay for a pretty penny then found at a yard sale a bent 14mm snap on vintage wrench, for 1 dollar.
This snap on wrench should be available from the snap on truck i would think, with this wrench and a mb straight 14mm wrench im able to do them.
But the best way is to have them Hazets handy, any other extras are just nice to have, especially when you get close up to the firewall.

It's rediculous to spend that much money on the original Hazet wrenches.
I bought 2 wrenches from a pawn shop for 50c each and bent them myself.

If you really don't want to bend them yourself, send them to me and I'll do it for you. Just pay shipping both ways.
Send PM if interested.

Danny

Attachment 73801 These are made from the forum sketch. First set I have made so I need a test mechanic. Also we need to determine a fair price. Thanks

I second the 'make your own' idea. My total cost was appx. $7 (didn't take time to search flea markets for cheaper ones). Ground one on a bench grinder. Heated and bent both in a matter of minutes. They work fine.

Link to this sketch? *ignites torch*

+ 1 all over the place.

I borrowed my uncles Hazet's and then bent my own based on those. I used new wrenches though so it cost a little more.

It's worth it to have your own wrenches no matter what you decide to get, buy or make.

The Monstermechanic on eBay sells his for $60 and shipping.
There was another guy who had been selling his for around $40. I had predicted that he could not keep doing that; and have not seen him sell for more than 4 months.
If you were paying yourself min. Wage just the time standing in line at the Post Office and the place you buy your Wrenches can eat up any profit; not to mention in his case the eBay and PayPal Fees.
OK as a Hobby that pays for itself.

I like your handles better. However, what happens when you Wife finds out you used up all the Silverware?

I have Hazets {worth every penny cheap-wads!! :D} but I really like the ones you made, especially the handles.
As I usually state, sure it is possible to adjust the valves with regular wrenches. I did it that way a couple of times. After using the Hazets I will never use regular wrenches again! It is easier to do and also easier to get your gap correct. Remember, the key word here is easier.......;)

why do the hazet sets come with a third wrench? what does the retainer wrench do? none of the write ups on adjusting that i've seen include this third tool. obviously not necessary then?

That third wrench is to keep the valve from spinning, use only if you have that problem. I've run into that once on the first valve and was able to to wedge a screw driver to keep the valve still. If it spins, you won't be able to adjust it.

I bought the 3-wrench set online and paid $40-ish, I think. I reviewed various threads and saw some people who commented 'Third wrench, waste of time and money, never needed it and I've done the job hundreds of times...' and others who said 'third wrench, gotta have it..."

My understanding is the third wrench is used to keep the spring retainer from rotating while you adjust the lower nut. If they are stuck, then the entire valve may rotate rather than change the compression/clearance adjustment on the spring. The wrench may/may not be necessary if the adjusting nut rotates freely against the retainer and allows you to adjust the spring.

In my one and only valve adjustment so far I needed the third wrench on one valve where the adjusting nut was stuck to the retainer. I have no documentation from the PO on when the valves were adjusted previously, so I can't comment on whether it's needed if they're adjusted regularly or maybe needed if it's a long interval since the last adjustment.

I think you are in trouble for cutting up the silverware like that but they do look good. I did the drawing that your picture shows and if anyone wants to make the third wrench the specs are on the same post. I think if you look in the DIY section I think it's posted there.

Well lets see, my wife hasn't notices the missing knives YET so i am still ok on that front. I can make the 3rd wrench if there is a need. I just didn't figure I would need it. Yes, its just a hobbie, I joined this forum to learn about my MB and I have, so I am trying to give back to the forum. I won't sell on ebay, mainly it was to make a set and then see if anyone needs them. I think this set is headed to Florida for a free trial. They may need to be ground thinner as I left as much meat for strength as I could. I would have tested them but won't get around to adjusting my valves for awhile. I did these free hand but if I were to make a few sets I would jig up and bend them so they would be the same each time. I guess we'll just see what happens. Sometimes it's just more fun to use a quality handmade tool rather then anything that has been mass produced. Thanks

How long are the handles on yours? The longer they are, the easier they're to use. What's the torque value on the locknut?

The handle itself is a standard knife handle plus an inch. Seven and 3/4 inch from the center of the nut to the end of the handle. Torque spec should be "firm". Thanks

I bought the Hazet set because I wanted the third wrench since this was my first shot at doing the valves. Turned out I didn't need it. The long handles on the Hazet are nice until you get to the valves next to the firewall. I got them all adjusted except the exhaust on the fifth cylinder. It's the second from the fire wall. The long handle hits the firewall. I found that my straight stubby 14 mm worked better but the sun was down and I decided to pack it in. So one more valve to do.
The Hazet are 8 ½ inches from the center of the nut to the end. So your 7 ¾ inch dimension might be better than the Hazet.

There is two different length hazet valve wrenches. the long set that most of us have, and a shorter set.

there was a thread on hazet wrenches that listed the two part# a yr or more back.

That last set of valves next to the firewall is a bugger to do. the last time I did them, I just about winged it after a fair amount of frustration, screw it, good enough, but I know better than to do that.:rolleyes: clata clata knock tick clata clata tick tick knock :o

Charlie

Homegrown.
 

Don't have any I've made myself, but got the Hazets from a bud who is now Benzless. Bought a "homemade" set from Kent Bergsma a few years prior. I prefer the handbuilt ones. The handles are more comfortable, and I think they have better balance. Anything that reduces fatigue, no? Maybe its just nostalgia.

Jay.

One of the tool companies on eBay sells a 1 short and 1 long wrench set without the 3rd wrench for $70 and shipping.
I have seen private parties sell sets of 1 short and 1 long wrench also.
Evidently one of the Unimog surplus vehicles sold here uses the short handled Hazet wrenches.
You may be able to get the short wrench part number off of eBay.

For the Hazet numbers look at post #16. There is also a pic of the Short Handled and Long Handled Wrench being use on the #5 Cylinder for comparison.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/220371-valve-wrenches-post1834558.html?highlight=Heyco#post1834558

Butter knife tools
 

Well my first set went to Florida and seemed to work. I made a jig and made a couple more. The two long handle tools nest and will work together. The short handle tool will nest with one of the long handle tools for the #5 cylinder close quarters. These are made from Autozone long handle 14 M wrenches and my wife's butter knives for handles. I can do the two long handle or a long and the short for $45 shipped in the US or all 3 for $55 shipped in the US. If you don't like them or just want to use them and send them back (not nice but OK) I will return the purchase price and we will both be out shipping only. I'm easy, just trying to give back to the forum. Thanks

Ordered mine!
 

I quickly ordered a set of 3 before your wife has a Christmas party and starts looking for the butter knives. Thanks!

Here is the link
 

Valve wrench
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/180280-home-made-valve-adjustment-wrench-info.html

I can personally vouch for these wrenches. I like them so much, I bought a set.:D They are much more comfortable in the hands (under torque) than the Hazets. I don't really see a need for the shorter wrench as I have never had an issue with the one near the firewall yet.

Pics:

Both wrenches
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...hwrenches2.jpg

At the firewall
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...esfirewall.jpg

Both wrenches 2
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...thwrenches.jpg

Handle Offset
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...setedgeon2.jpg

Offset at the wrench tips
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g.../Offsettop.jpg

Thanks Al, Yeah when my wife finds out about this I may be trying to buy back the tools and weld her knives back together. Might work out good for those who have them. If it's an order from my wife you can name your price. Don't count on it though. Thanks and enjoy.

LOL!!:D

Well.... Hopefully it wont come to that!

Thanks again. They work great!

I have a set of Hazet and Hyco wrenches; both are about the same. I also have a set of Arthritic hands, wrists and so on.

Yet, I cannot see comfort as being serious issue during 1 Valve Adjustment.

However, I am a big Fan of Butter.

Either way this thread is about a new source for valve wrenches...:rolleyes:

At least you know of the new source, they are made by a trusted member of the forum and they work well.:D

Butter knife wrench problem
 

My set arrived the day after Christmas and they seem to be exactly as
Allan described. I wish I could run a welding bead as smooth as these. One didn't even have any touchup grinding. I'm not due for a valve adjustment yet so it will be awhile until I can report back. I expect them to work as designed.

:mad: However, I did encounter one major problem that I should alert others about. My wife saw these in the utility room prior to me putting them in the tool box. She was certain I had cut up her knives and was quite hot about expressing her objections. I had to print off part of this thread before she agreed I was innocent. :D

Hmmmmm...... Uh oh.. That just gave me an idea!

I have a nice set of really thick knives with the hammered finish. I may have to mail those off to him. :D

They would look sick!

Well, that is certainly in my offering. If you have something in your kitchen or garage that you would like as handles on your custom MB wrenches feel free to send them to me. As long as they are weldable I should be able to handle it. Hey I made a joke. Handle it. Thanks

Has anyone looked up monstercraftsman. He has a really nice set of wrenches. Plus a trap ox replacement pipe - for test purpose of course.

I bought a pair of wrenches from him. They worked quite well when I adjusted my valves.

I filed down the edges on one wrench so the " bite" i guess of the wrench was a little wider. I was having trouble getting the wrench onto the bottom locking nut.

This is from 2004 as the overall view....

Ok,, just for reference for others in the future who find this thead... or do a search ....
The valve adjustment on these old overhead cam diesels is done by adjusting the position of a nut which is threaded on the actual valve.... the valve has a slot in it and a wider nut at the bottom of the adjustment stuff but above the valve seals...has a tang which fits into this slot..... it can rotate with the valve rotators fitted in most of these engines.. but allows a way to ' clamp ' the valve rotation for adjusting purposes...
In the event that the top nut or the next lower nut ( which is used to lock the top nut at the proper height ) are stuck... the wider, slotted nut is used to hold the valve from rotating so the upper two can be set and locked together...
That is why you sometimes see people post saying that they have never had any problems and don't need any way to hold the lowest nut. But , IF just ONE valve adjuster nut is STUCK.. then you need that lower one to get it loose enough to move.
Most people find that the bought lower wrench, due to it haveing a ' stand' which holds it at about the right position.. plus some combination of to bent wrenches ( I got Crasftsman and bent them myself ( being cheap ) are very helpful for doing the valve adjustment.... But I bought the lower one after trying and failing to make it ...
I am sure we will have several posts now saying basically " you wimps" ' I have always used plain wrenches and have never needed to hold the bottom nut'..... LOL

I recommend saving a coin jar for a set of Hazets. I got a set for Christmas (you should of seen the look on my face) and they make actually make valve adjustments fun. The retainer wrench is incredible

The retainer wrench is basically the ' third hand' some people have expressed a desire for when doing this job... since it has that little stand to keep it in place while you use the two top wrenches for adjusting and locking the nuts while using the feeler gauge at the same time...

You wimp. I do my valve adjustments with my fingers with the valve cover still on! :P

I knew that was going to happen.... but did not think it would take six years....

Now a real mad man would try to adjust his valves with his teeth :eek:

I bent my wrenches with my teeth...so I do not have anything else to prove by adjusting the valves with them... the veneers were expensive but now they look nice again...

The first time I adjusted mine I held the valve and rotated the car. Biggest problem was tire smoke as I rotated it sideways. Thanks

Yeah, I tried that the first time....but had to have both the front and back end aligned afterwards...

you guys are both wimps.
I just smack the hood, and the valves adjust themselves out of fright.

The Mercedes Diesel Fonzi has arrived !!!

Is it safe to say that on a w124 and higher that the valves are in fact adjusting themselves out of fear of having the valve cover removed?

Can I get a Monogrammed set?