I have the 190d on ramps (butt up!) and i have the special tool (big socket welded to a 17mm nut). there isn't much room under there to work and the strainer is pretty tight.
Everytime it attempt to loosen it, the socket pops out (probably due to the angle of the 17mm wrench).
It is located pretty close to the drive axle boot and i certainly don't want to run the boot with and hare-brained attempts to He-Man it.

Do you have any tips on how to remove the strainer using the tool. or making the tool stay put?

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

Maybe jack stands so the trailing arm hangs down and gives more clearance

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1983 300CD Turbodiesel

can you remove the center hose?

you may find it easier to remove the fuel tank and then he man the strainer if its really really stuck.

in my W124 it was easy with a big socket I bought from northern tool along with 3/4 to 1/2 drive reducer and 6 inch extension with universal in the middle - it came out quite easily.

Make sure your tool has a flat face so it can engage more of the strainer hexagon. If the tool has an inward radius (used to assist sockets onto bolts and nuts) then the socket will slip off as the strainer flats are only 1/4 inch tall at max.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

thanks for the tips guys! i will try to use a jackstand so the axle will hang lower (why didn't I think of that!!).

i noticed the fuel cap has rust on the inner part. if i determine that the fuel tank is rusty inside, i might have to replace it. not sure how much they cost or how easy it is to pull the whole tank.

yeah i bought the socket from that guy on the internet who wears a white doctor's coat who looks like Beavis....or it is butthead?

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

I had to do this on my car once, ended up using a floor jack handle as a breaker bar over the socket wrench, just to get enough leverage to crack it loose. It was EXTREMELY tight and crusted on there pretty good. Make sure you get the nut square in there when applying force, don't let it twist out and strip on you!

i could not use a socket and wrench but i think i lower the half-axle, it will work.

thanks for confirming that the sucker is on pretty tight....i could not get it to budge at all... i was beginning to doubt my strength (and a little of my manhood!)

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo