Greetings All, I've tried the welding of a 14mm bolt and two nuts together, and they broke three times over, and fear the same for the 19mm for the block heater plug as well. Yes, I used the 8.8 hardness bolts, but still ended up twisting the bolt into pieces. I need a reliable source for the14mm hex socket to remove the differential plug, and also the 19mm for the block heater plug. I've seen them at shops for over $29.00 but feel that is probably a little to steep just for a allen bit socket. If you have any good resources with decent prices, let me know. Charles

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"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan

I've been buying them piece by piece as I need them, rather than buying a set. Cheaper for the individual job, but probably more expensive in the long run.

The last one I bought (10mm) cost $2.99 at Trak Auto but I think that was on sale. The brand name was "Mr. Goodwrench" and it looked very good in quality.

Should be able to find these in Sears at a higher price. Maybe some of the other auto stores if you don't have a Trak.

Ken300D

Owner of the following Hex sockets:

5mm (Transmission Drain)
14mm (Differential Drain and Fill)
10mm (Starter bolts)

Greetings Ken,

The smaller sizes are easy to come by but once you mention 14mm or anything larger their faces go dark. Where did you get you 14mm hex bit? Sears online doesn't carry any large hex bits. Got any other choices?


Charles

__________________
"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan

Got them all at the same place. The 14mm is pretty massive - it was probably more expensive. But a lot less expensive than that stupid Hazet wrench people are selling on EBay for $35.

I'll bet a lot of cars now use something in the range of 14mm somewhere - I'd try an automotive store.

If you just can't find one at all, I'll buy one for you and mail it for the costs. If you did want to do that, I'd advise you to come up with a shopping list of sizes to reduce the impact of the shipping cost.

Ken300D

When I needed to replace my differential fluid I looked everywhere for a 17mm socket and eventually found it at AutoZone. It comes with a 19mm, and the name brand is "OEM".

Sold for like 12.99 I think.

Good luck...

~Paul

Try www.napa.com they sell the 14' hey key for $4+ althoug gits not a socket .

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96' E320

Sears does have a 12mm and a 17mm, but not the 14mm. I ended up getting mine from the Snap-on truck, thought I'd be able to buy off the truck, but 14mm is now a special order. Cost me about $20.00, it's a solid piece of work and looks virtually indestructable.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

I think the reason Sears has the 17mm is because it's used for the oil pan plug on a VW, and probably millions of others. I've never had a need for any of the other sizes prior to owning an MBZ.

I bought my 14mm as a hex key rather than the hex socket. I bought the long version from a local industrial supply shop for about $7. I used a trick I learned from someone on this board and I cut about 1 1/2" off of the long arm end and stuck it into a 14mm 6 point socket so I could run it with the air ratchet. Cool, a hex key AND a hex socket for 7 bucks!

Can-do, you signature doesn't say where you're from, but for those around Orange County, CA (and I know there are a few), I went to McFadden-Dale Hardware in Anaheim.

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D.H.

04 ML500
02 E430

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

I think AUTO ZONE (if you have on out there) should carry a set of hex bits for less than 15 bucks!
Good Luck

The other advantage of making the 1" pieces from end stock is you can also use a box-end wrench for tight quarters and the smaller sizes fit bat powered drill chucks .
I am surprised someone does not sell them in a small pouch like that. Very versatile.
A 3/4" will do for the 19mm.

I've posted my solution before, but here it is. I used a dremel tool and a standard allen wrench over 14mm (I can't remember what size). I cut a 1" piece off of it, and then ground 1/2" of it down to 14mm using a 14mm wrench as a guide. The big end fits into a standard socket and voila, I have a 14mm allen wrench. As someone above noted, the other plus with this setup is when I have a tight fit (like the filler on my 190SL transmission), I can use a box wrench and the 1" piece of allen wrench.

I also found a 14mm some time back at Autozone, but didn't buy it 'cause I already had one that worked! Maybe PartsShop or Fastlane should sell these...

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Bill Streep
San Antonio
'57 190SL (toy)
'08 S5500 (mine)
'09 CLK550 (wife's)
'06 SLK350 (daughter's)
'11 GLK350 (daughter's)
'03 CLK310 (spare)