PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - Bit the Bullet....Bought the timing chain tool

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Bit the Bullet....Bought the timing chain tool

After much procrastination I bought a BAUM TOOL, Mercedes single and double Timing Chain Crimp Tool. I am in the midst of getting an '83 300 Turbo engine ready to transplant into my '77, 240D. The tool makes the crimping process a piece of cake. I have the engine on a stand at present. My daughter helped me thread the NEW chain through the engine. I removed the cam sprocket so I could drape the old chain away from the head opening while I ground the old link off. I re-installed the cam sprocket.
I then attached the NEW chain to the OLD one and used the OLD link I had ground the pins on. I used the Crimping tool to re-install the old end plate to connect BOTH chains together. With my daughter holding the chains on the cam sprocket, I LIGHTLY peened the OLD link pins just enough to hold well. We threaded the new chain on. I removed the OLD link and chain, joined the new chain together, installed the center plate and the end plate with the tool and crimped it!
The tool was $220.00 plus shipping but WELL worth the peace of mind. I queried a guy that had a tool for $179.00 but it was made in CHINA! BAUM TOOL isn't

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Timing-Chain-Press-Set-Double-Row-Engine-Tool-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19c1b970fbQQitemZ110624338171QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools#ht_

Why does Mercedes not use a chain with a master link? Is there a concern that the little clip that holds the master link on will be unreliable?

That sounds like a solid way to do a job that looks as if it would be nerve wracking.

I DO hope you will be putting the tool up in the rental forum!!!
be sure and get the full purchase price as a deposit and charge a reasonable rental fee to use the tool!
make some coin back and give us poor mechanics a chance at a great tool!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848 (Post 2746663)

Why does Mercedes not use a chain with a master link? Is there a concern that the little clip that holds the master link on will be unreliable?

I wondered this too as the factory shop engine manual I have shows one with two circlips. They must have had failures with them
I have had this new chain for 10 years. I was going to change it out on an '84 300D wagon we had but never did because I didn't have the crimper tool.
Here is a picture of the crimp it did.

Here is a pic of the Made In China Tool.
The real quality tool does not cost that much more and is going to have a better resale value than the China one.
Also if you damage or lose any parts on the Quality Tool you can replace them.