PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - What must have tools and/or MB special do you own or need?

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What must have tools and/or MB special do you own or need?

New owners need to know.

I get this question several times per day.
I need your help building the list from a chassis "OWNER" viewpoint.

#1. What tools are absolutely CRITICAL?

#2. What tools are desirable?

#3. What tools are a waste of money - toolbox space?

When adding to this list:
If you have found ANY other options; Please don't limit yourself to Mercedes Special tools.

Thanks for your help. :D

.

By the time I've finished my little project I will have completed every job there is to do on my car. I will have completed loads of complicated jobs such as

Engine rebuild
Automatic transmission rebuild (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/304903-722-118-automatic-transmission-rebuild-monster-diy.html)
Power steering pump rebuild
Steering box rebuild (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/303379-what-feeling-will-properly-adjusted-w123-w116-w126-power-steering-box.html)
Front and rear suspension rebuilds
Front suspension adjustments (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/284337-how-i-adjusted-toe-out-camber-caster-my-w123-300d.html)
Starter motor rebuild (PeachPartsWiki: Starter Motor Rebuild)
Alternator rebuild (PeachPartsWiki: Refreshing the Alternator)

etc etc etc

My point being that for all of the jobs I've done so far on my 300D I can say with certainty that you need but five Mercedes specific special tools:-

1) An internal spring compressor for the W123 front springs – in my opinion messing about with anything else is foolish and dangerous
2) A slotted nut socket for the rear wheel bearings – my advice would be to pay extra for the dealer version because it fits every time!
3) The set of three valve wrenches – even though there are several DIY solutions out there for this special tool I think you are better off buying a proper set.
4) Timing chain crimp tool is necessary if you are not removing the crank – otherwise you don't need it.
5) Pre-chamber tools

I think that all of the other Mercedes special tools are either no longer available, too expensive, or can be easily replicated by other means.

Other tools that I could not do without are

1) Torque wrench
2) Feeler gauges
3) Clock gauge / DTI with magnetic stand
4) A bit of old injector line and the union to make up a drip tube (diesel IP drip test)
5) Pressure bleeder for the brakes
6) Ball joint splitter for the tie rods
7) An endless supply of wood, string, tape, bolts, washers, nuts, ratchet strops etc to make special tools
8) Trolly jack – 2 are often quite useful!
9) Axles stands X 4
10) Angle grinder with a wire brush attachment <= favourite tool – the best thing ever
11) Vernier caliper
12) Micrometer
13) 46mm + 41mm open ended spanners
14) Multimeter
15) Tripple head "male" socket 15mm(?) for OM617 head removal
16) Harmonic balancer puller
17) Vacuum gauge
18) Oil pressure gauges

Basic tool kit should consist of
1/2” drive sockets 10mm to say 22mm is a good start
Two 1/2” drive ratchets
1/2” drive Allen head / hex head keys – so the ones attached to a 1/2” drive socket! 6mm, 8mm, 14mm a must!
1/2” drive 27mm socket (deep or shallow with / without extension so you can turn the crank by hand - it has to fit between radiator and crankshaft nut)
1/2” drive extension bar at least 600mm long for those stubborn bolts
Flat blade and cross point screw drivers
A 1/4” drive set of sockets for undoing interior and smaller parts of the car
A set of open ended and ring combination spanners – particularly with 15mm, 17mm and 19mm sizes
Penetrating oil
Rubber hammer
Hammer
Copper drift
Parallel pin punches

I advise anyone who is just starting out and wants to make up their own basic tool kit not to buy the most luxurious professional tools out there. Buy something with a life time warranty if you can - and use it! - or buy what you can afford and then replace the bits you break with the real decent stuff.

I've been compiling a list of daft W123 nut and bolt sizes here for the more unusual stuff.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/295814-daft-w123-300d-nut-bolts-sizes.html

Some things that are nice if you can afford them / have the space

a) Hydraulic press
b) A decent gas welding set to really heat up those stubborn things such as the Pitman arm nut <= I don't have that yet!

That's about all I can think of in one go – I reserve the right to return and edit this list if I think of something else!

W124:

triple square driver set. (head bolts, rear axle)
Multiple different size/ style allen drivers.

Bright unbreakable LED lights, magnetic base preferred

An inexpensive Digital Multi Meter, an ebay $10 item

Mityvac

Magnetic pickup tools. Amazing where tools, nuts or bolts will lodge given the chance.

Magnetic base bowl for collecting nuts, bolts and parts.

Rather than fighting with bolts and nuts add Kroil penetrating oil to your shop. Many tests have proven its the best commercial penetrating oil out there.

3/8" full socket set with ratchet and extension.

Quality life time warrantied ratcheting wrenches.

Nice to have a set of socket set allen wrenches.

Set of 90 degree to straight picks. Very handy for many MB connectors

The wish list includes a 3 to 5 hp compressor with ratchets and a quality battery

I haven't been on in a while, I've been working on a bike instead of a benz recently... but I was looking through the sunex catalog and discovered they make this axle flange nut socket.

I don't know how the quality is, but at that price I may find out. I have a couple sets of sunex impact sockets and I'm very happy with them, but their screwdrivers weren't great.

I don't know how "must have" this is for new owners, but if you are dealing with axles...

One of my most used tools is the flywheel locking tool for the 124 chassis cars. I use it more than any other specific tool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork (Post 2901030)

One of my most used tools is the flywheel locking tool for the 124 chassis cars. I use it more than any other specific tool.

I bet the one for the OM617 is also quite useful... perhaps I'll have to edit my post again.

Unfortunately the one for the 617 engine is quite pricy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork (Post 2901181)

Unfortunately the one for the 617 engine is quite pricy.

I know. This is as far as I've got so far...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/284511-has-anyone-ever-made-good-diy-tool-lock-om617-flywheel.html

For the W210 V6-

1 - 17mm Hazet (#2771) valve wrench for removing spark plug boots

2 - Set of thin long handle wrenches for removing thermostatic fan
in order to remove the fan guard.

3 - Plastic wedge for disassembly of trim, etc

4 - OBD II Scanner

5 - Set of small clamps to pinch off fuel lines near fuel filter

6 - Dipstick tool for 722.6 transmission

7 - Radio keys and Cluster removal hooks.