There are two versions of the bolt. The first version uses a M12 bolt, torque is 95 Nm. The second version uses a M8 bolt, torque is 30 Nm. Your car most likely has the second version, but I would recommend that you check to make sure. (On the second version the bolt goes through a long spacer sleeve.) The lock washer should be replaced also. It is a one-time use item.

They are made of spring steel and fit in the end of tha front axles so that they make contact with the inside of the grease cap. They tend to break and are typically not replaced. Fastlane sells them for 49 cents, under the name "contact spring." They are also included in the wheel bearing kit. (It is the part between the grease cap and the screw in the picture.)
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?clientid=mercedesshop&cookieid=1EH0TL2AI1GI10K905&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&partner=mercedesshop&year=1985&product=K8020-18091&application=000211864

bodhibenz, do you have the mb tool or two long (5-6 inches) skinny pins to fit in the holes?
turn it to pos. 2, insert the pins and just pull it out with the key. good luck.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

They're typically just for AM radio interference, and yes they DO make a difference

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Getting the tool seems to be my problem ... I fashioned one out of a coathanger and tried to file the ends down to 70-degree angles, but the cylinder won't budge ... it feels as though the ends are all the way in the hole, but no go. I asked the dealership if they sold the tool (surrender, I know) and they said no, but showed me what they use to get it out ... my homemade tool looks almost exactly like it ... I probably should have just grabbed it out of his hand and run to the parking lot, done the job, then brought it back.
I'm thinking perhaps my angles aren't sharp enough, or maybe the coathanger is too think. Should the cylinder just slide out fairly easily? It doesn't even seem loose once I get the pins in, and I don't want to just yank.

Sorry to hijack the thread!

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

A coat hanger is way too big. I have used an opened up paperclip on the ones I have had to pull. I just finished with this job on the wife's car a couple of weeks ago. The first time I had to do this I had quite a bit of trouble as well. The pin fits in the hole just so. Once you get it out and take a look at it, you will really understand how it all goes together. Good luck.

Mike

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Mike

'80 300D
'84 300D
'85 300D
'87 300D

Call the 1-800 number and let them change it.

Bodhi- I'm in frederick, do you have anything else on the car you have been thinking about fixing to make it worth the trip?

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Ah, Frederick is a good 4 hour trip for me, I think. If it were baseball season yet I'd hop down there and catch a Keys game. Love those baby Orioles.

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Thanks ... that was what I was starting to think. The paper clip was my first try, but it wasn't long enough. Maybe if I take two of them ...

If nothing else, figuring it out does provide me with intellectual entertainment ...

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

I've been a tech most of my life and still have to resort to this every now and then.

__________________
85 300CD
83 300TD
78 240D (daughter)

Why I suggested "supported" meaning Jack Stands. In my case it means a lift.

__________________
85 300CD
83 300TD
78 240D (daughter)

"not to be a wise guy, but.....
I still wanna know how someone gets killed changing a tire."

Well, think whatever you want (and apparently that equates to whoever doesn't know what you do should get AAA), but YOU are the one who threw out the inflammatory allegation.
Now substantiate it.
I have never heard of anyone getting killed kicking or changing a tire. Sounds like alarmist rubbish to me.

__________________
Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

Arlington
By The Associated Press
(02/07/05 - ARLINGTON, TX) — A vehicle struck and killed a Fort Worth man and his son-in-law as they finished changing a flat tire along Interstate 20 in Arlington.
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/state/020705_APstate_flattire.html

September 01, 2003
Army Staff Sgt. Cameron B. Sarno, 43, of Waipahu, Hawaii; assigned to the 257th Transportation Company, Army Reserve, Las Vegas, Nev.; died Sept. 1 when he was hit by a truck while changing his vehicle’s tire in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
http://www.militarycity.com/valor/honor_september_2003.html

Delivery man struck by vehicle while stopped on roadway to change delivery van flat tire.
http://www.chm.msu.edu/oem/MiFace/01MI025MIFACE.pdf

New Jersey Fire Captain Killed; Hit By Dumptruck While Changing His Tire
http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=46&id=29744

Kampen placed his head and shoulders beneath the front of the car to examine the back of the wheel. The jack collapsed, and the car fell across Kampen's shoulders, breaking both of his collarbones.
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=5th&navby=case&no=9630544CV1v2&exact=1

$1,000,020 Settlement for products liability verdict for scissor jack that collapsed when changing tire.
http://www.personalinjurylawcal.com/results-victories.html

Danger for anyone on te road side.
ResponderSafety.Com News
2004 Headlines
http://www.respondersafety.com/news/2004/

Here is a basic guideline for changing a flat tire.
http://www.misterfixit.com/flattire.htm

It is sad but true, not alarmist rubbish.
God knows I wish it was rubbish.

whunter,
I appreciate your links, but every single one of them that involves death was a result of another vehicle hitting them.
And, truly, that could happen no matter what one is doing on the side of the road. This has a lot more to do with common sense on the side of the road than it does with mechanical aptitude or knowledge. Sure, there are dangers to being in traffic....
however:
Rleo's original statement that drew me into the dialogue was:
"kicking at the wheel of a car that is improperly supported could kill someone."
(Followed by the suggestions that those who don't comprehend these kind of dangers should have AAA rescue them..)

maybe if you are foolhardy enough to be under the car while you kick it.
I mean, come on, with this logic, filling ones fuel tank becomes a hideous danger to be avoided at all costs....

Clearly, the statement is overkill, and you need to exercize caution when, well, doing anything.
Like walking across the street. Sticking a fork on your mouth to eat. Ect.
It just seems a little condescending to tell us to go to AAA...

__________________
Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)