It looks like a straightforward job but I've come to find out that lots of things on these cars are anything but straightforward. Doing this Monday - alignment scheduled for that afternoon. Any tips to avoid making a costly mistake?

TIA-

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1998 E320 4-Matic Wagon

I don't recall anything from the manual. Judging from the lack of responses, though, it looks like you're the Versuchskaninchen (guinea pig, literally "trial rabbit").

The only difference from normal is the lock nut is a compressor nut which actually screws over the end of the track rod end rather than just butting against it. Nothing weird just different from normal and very tight to undo.
Geo.

OK thanks for the info -- starting now -- will report back after job is finished.

-MK

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1998 E320 4-Matic Wagon

Finished. It was scary how easy that was. I originally intended to replace the tie rod end with the vehicle on ramps with weight on wheels so the spindle didn't move while I was changing the end. But it looked like the rim might get in the way so I removed the wheel anyway. 22mm on the nut at the spindle end. 13mm open end to hold the shaft coming from the steering rack while you loosen the locking nut. (don't know what size the locking nut is since I used a crescent (monkey) wrench). A little heat on the spindle and the tie rod end shaft and everything threaded right off with out any force and the new end even had the shaft at the spindle end angled properly so that it would slide right in the hole without marring the threads. Everything tightened and as adjusted as I can get -- off to the alignment shop.

Sorry no pictures but it's so easy there really aren't any pics required.

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1998 E320 4-Matic Wagon

Has anyone messed with the inner tie rods? Found play in mine and have the replacement. It looks like the inner end threads onto the steering gear but it is a completely round fitting...no place to put on a wrench. I haven't taken the dust boot off to see what it threads onto. Anyone done this?