I got a set of the valve adjust wrenches from Performance Products for $61. I don't know if that was a lot but I figure I'll make up for the money I spent after two valve adjustments. Just to note, they are Hazet wrenches and have the "genuine Mercedes" sticker on the baggies they came in.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

I have not found the special bent wrenches to be necessary. I did find it was a bit easier to grind the wrench for the bottom nut down to about .2" thick, but it was not necessary. The wrench to hold the valve spring holder was not necessary either.

The special wrenches would have made the job a bit easier, but they are not needed.

I've been adjusting the valves on my 300D for 14 years using regular 14mm open-end wrenches that are not bent (one of the 14mm wrenches has a thin head and fits the narrow lower adj nut perfectly - other 14mm wrenches I've seen are too thick and would need to be ground thinner and using water to quelch the wrench during the grinding process).

I've never needed the valve spring cap tool for adjusting valve clearance. The only time I needed to hold or turn the valve spring cap was when I R&R'd the valve stem seals and replaced the old valve springs with the upgraded springs - then I used a small pair of Channel Locks to turn the valve spring cap. If the valve spring is turning when adj the valve clearance I would use a small pair of Channel Locks or regular pliers to hold the cap.

You can bend straight 14mm wrenches using an oxy/acetylene torch and quelching the heated wrench into water immediately after heating/bending to maintain their structural integrity. I've heated/bent a number of wrenches in this way and they have not lost their structural integrity. I would find the longest 14mm wrenches available if you are going to bend a set of open-end wrenches to make sure there is enough wrench left to grip after bending them. Also, you are only torquing the valve adj nut/cap to a low level (M-B does not provide a torque spec only specifying the nuts should be "firm"). I would say that 15-16 ft. lbs. of torque is all that's needed to keep the adj nuts tight.

If I did find a set of Hazet valve adj wrenches for a reasonable price - I would buy them. At $60 to $76 (on eBay at this price several times) I'll spend my $ on other tools, parts, heck a beer rather than the special Hazet wrenches.

My, very cheap, $0.02 worth!
Tom

__________________
America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.

As the structural integrity of my own person is determined by genes of Scotch-Irish and Jewish origin, it is not possible for me to pay retail for something I may be able to manufacture in my own cheap garage using my own cheap tools.
I'll give it a whirl with the two craftsman wrenches; one standard and one ground (approx. .20 in.).

Well, the poll is in and Me and MB are the only ones that think the bent wrenches and special holder are the way to go ..... LOL.....

I was waiting to find a good deal for the wrenches on ebay....but that never happened. I came across a "special" for the two 14 mm wrenches (Stahlwille brand) for $29.95. I figured if I bought two long 14 mm regulare wrenches to bend it wouldn't be too much cheaper than what I paid for the Stahlwille wrenches. Whatever you decide to do, if you buy the wrenches you will save money in the end. Not sure what the dealer or an independent would charge you for the job.....but you can bet that it costs a bunch.

mike

Mike a/k/a mccan,

I'll loan you my set if you want, you'd just have to take a ride up 206 to get them.

BTW, I tried to use straight wrenches and just gave up. I broke down and payed like $125- with shipping from some company down in fla. I know, a rip off... The bent wrenches make the job easy, and yes, I've had occasion to use the spring holder. It seams that on one cylinder, the darn spring & valve just starts twirling.

~George~

Thanks for the offer, George. I made one bent wrench and this works well.