Mercedes specialty tools

[dmorrison]

I was reviewing the areas in the service manual that I want to rebuild on the 82 300TD. I am amazed at the number of specialty tools that Mercedes invents to do some of these jobs.
The one I like is the tool for the rear wheel hub to remove the axel. It bolts to the hub using the lug nut holes and then you rotate the "wheel" to push out the axel. I may be missinformed but by looking at the diagram couldn't you just use a mandrel and hammer to push the axel out? Correct me if I'm wrong.

I am going to rebuild the front end of the car soon and have been reviewing the service manual and the topics here on the forum. I am curious. For the technicians and advanced hobbyests who visit this forum. How many of the Mercedes specialty tools do you have and use. Do you find that aftermarket tools can do the various jobs well?


Particularly since I'm going to start the front end.


Coil Spring compressor. Mercedes, Sir Tools, Klann or a sissor type compressor ( http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=43168 ) with a floor jack under the Lower control arm ( this is the method my brothers shop uses, its an import specialty shop)

Tie Rod seperator, Mercedes style, U style unit ( http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36861 ) or a pickle fork


Ball joint press tool. Mercedes or a generic unit ( http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38335 )

It will be interesting to have everyone list what tool they use, Mercedes or an aftermarket unit for the various jobs on the car.


Thanks
Dave

[engatwork]

The only special tool I have purchased is the pre-chamber nut removal tool and the socket for the head bolts (if you want to call it "special" - it came from Snap-On). I am considering purchasing the chain crimp tool although some folks just ping it with ball peen hammers (which I think will work equally as well). Anyway, I am starting to wonder about the coil spring compressor tool. I have not seen anything yet on the front end that required removing the spring. I recently replaced the track rod mounts on the 240D without removing the coil spring. Pretty much everything in my tool box came from Sears, Snap-on or a Harbor Freight type of place. I don't think I would go out and purchase a bunch of "special" tools just because the book says to. Wait and see what all you need when you get to it (excluding the head bolt socket).

I have quite a number of MB tools considering that I am not a pro tech. The only ones that I have that I think could not be substituted for in some way, are my head bolt sockets. That said, a friend of mine, bought a set of Lisle sockets that would cover these two items.

I have:

Drip tube
Timing rail pin puller
Injector Socket
Head bolt sockets
123 Valve Adjustment Wrench set

Good luck,

[brianc320]

...as for the Harbor Freight tools:

I have bought a few tools from Harbor Freight. Just don't get your expectations too high. I bought a soft face 3 pc hammer set from them. Inexpensive. On the first whack with the plastic side, the face disintegrated. Rubber side works ok. I bought a 4" air angle grinder rated at something like 5 cfm. It drains my 20 gal. 9.7 cfm compressor at 90psi in less than a minute. It can't keep up with the tool so you know it's not a quality air tool. I bought wrench and socket sets from them too. Not pretty, but they do work fine for medium duty applications. Theier impact socket set works great and is inexpensive, but the sockets are very thick and heavy. I also bout the 3-in-1 ball joint tool for removal of the wifes Exploder's lower ball joints. Worked, but I bent the swivel pin shaft on the screw side. I got through the job ok as long as I managed to keep the c-frame at 90 deg. to the ball joint face. The c-frame and screw are good and beefy and should do most medium duty ball joint./universal work.

You get what you pay for. If you are going to do a lot of repair work, I'd suggest getting Snap-on, OTC, Ingersoll Rand, etc brand name tools. Craftsmen stuff is ok too although their quality has declined over the years. Their warranty is still OK though.

Brian

[ctaylor738]

I have used AST for specialty tools and have been happy with them. I have accumulated:

- M110 valve adjusting wrench
- Slide rail puller kit
- OHC valve spring compressor with adapters
- Guage for preloading M116/117 HLC's
- 17mm and 19mm hex key sockets

I also recently bought a set of KD 3/8" drive hex key sockets. The bits are 6" long which makes head bolts and manifold bolts much easier to work with.

[taaboo]

There has GOT to be a way to get one of these 'in circulation', where honest folks like us can rent it from, say, PartsShop . I know shock replacement may be done *without* the tool, but it sure looks more straightforward with it.

I'd be willing to pay the the replacement cost for the tool to be able to rent it; when returned I'd be refunded the entire amount minus the rental. Paying up front makes it easy to trust the rentee; trusting the renter to return the payment may be an issue.

ANYONE? ANYONE?

Brian
horrible shocks on the 300TE, can't wait much longer

taaboo certainly has a reasonable idea. I lost a tool by loaning to someone here on mshop. That was a year ago, and I've already come to grips with the fact that I will never see my tool for which I paid a three figure amount. That's what I get for being a trusting soul.

With a clearing house to provide the tool with a deposit would be a great thing for someone to provide. They do this very same thing at AutoZone everyday without, of course, concern for shipping charges.

Have a great day,

[ctaylor738]

Performance Analysis run by George Murphy of MBCA Technical Committee fame rents a variety of specialty tools for 21 days. Maybe he could be persuaded to expand his selection.

You can reach him at 865.482.0175, george_murphy@compuserve.com.

[engatwork]

I remembered - I have the valve adjustment wrenches, the drip tube and the 27 mm crank/injector socket. My memory chip is starting to get severely overloaded here lately. We have an annual outage here at the mill in one month and I am trying to figure out how to spend $1.1mil WISELY in two weeks. Alot of Excel spreadsheets and b*^&&$^t like that. My brain is hurting.

[afmcorp]

I started racing cars in so cal about 1968, motorcycles in 72 and 4 wheel drive in 76. i was proud of my tools. it takes 1 craftsman chest made of 5 components standing about 76" hi and 60" wide. that's chest one. i have 3 other smaller rollarounds by craftsman as well. oh and i must mention i have a large rollaround at home in my garage. did i mention that my trade is a machinist. so naturally i have every possible tool for measurement known to man. in addition i do all my own electrial and electronic repairs to my CnC machines and my shop.

so you would think i would have everything i need right...... nope had to get some special mbz stuff

*V8 valve spring tool for stud ball replacement
*valve compensating ball stud height checker
*rail pin puller.... nope i'll make that myself thank you very much!

my better half tells me i am norm abrahams and the shade tree mechanics all wrapped up in one.

BUT my motto is: One can never have enough tools!!!

[afmcorp]

sorry i forgot to mention what i really started to say.

www.************************ says that they rent tools. that spring compressor is like 600 bucks but they look like they rent it.