I just take a flat head screw driver and you can pry against the transmission case and the converter to rotate it around.

This is what I did on my SDL. If it's doable on a diesel, it should be doable on a gas engine too (lower compression). Certainly easier than trying to use the crank bolt or the starter since you can actually see what you're doing!

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Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]

When I used to do that, I would use my fingers to feel the drain plug on the torque converter. (turning it slowly though) - Or just place a mirror angled to your advantage.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Well, I'll know next time

Dale

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Dale