Looking to replace seal ring from water pump to cylinder head. Gotta get the PS pump and tensioner off to get access to the front lower water pump bolt. car is in the garage in pieces...
PS: Can't get the bottom front bolt off to move the PS pump out of the way. Advice? Do I need to remove the pulley? If yes, how? I can't seem to break the three pulley bolts.
Tensioner: Can I swing it down or must I remove it completely?
Water pump: doing all of this to get the PITA front lower bolt off. Suggestions anyone?
Thanks.

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1987 300e W124 M103 My baby.

I haven't done this myself but people have stated that a flexible socket extension can help in getting that lower bolt out. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Grade-High-Strength-Spring-Socket-Extension/dp/B000RJN1GO

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 110k - mine - (OC-112,500)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 30k - wifes (OC-34k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 61k (OC - 63k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 84k - dad's (OC-86k)
'01 SL500 - 99k(km) - dad's (OC-102,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 136k - Brothers (OC-139k)

A simple search in this forum will provide scads of info on 300E water pumps. Type "300E"+"water pump" in the Search this Forum field and you will be amazed.

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'86 300E 5 speed
'71 Triumph TR6
'46 Cushman Scooter
'41 Ford 9N tractor

On the PS pulleys (on different cars though) I have had luck using a wrench on the other bolts as countertorque. The last one will still need to be done itself, but after loosening once in this process it will be a lot easier.

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Prost!

If you have not done so already; remove fan clutch (special tool to hold in place), remove fan clutch pulley, remove water pump pulley, remove power steering pump pulley. All are held in place by 10 mm bolts. You can use an air ratchet and the torque of tool will take them right off with no counter-hold necessary. When you put them back on counter hold with a strap wrench.

Yes, see response above.

I removed mine completely. I think you have to. Once you have all the pulley bolts off you will see and can easily access the bolts. Three on front plus the large 19 mm one in the middle.

You will be able to once you remove pulley. Removed all bolts holding power steering pump and moved it out of the way. Don’t forget to remove the bolt that has a bracket that hold the power steering pump hose. It’s one of the bolts that hold the A/C compressor in place.

See a post I just did about water pump removal tools.