Making the Mercedes shock absorber tool
 

Well I just rebuilt the front suspesion on the 82 300TD and replaced the shocks on the 88 560SL. The top of the shock absorber can be a real pain. Mercedes shows a particular tool item # 107 589 00 09 00 for this job. It would be nice to have but we know how proud Mercedes is with their tools. SOOOO lets build one.
I went to the hardware store, actually Lowes, and purchased a plumbers tool. The size was 21/32. Then I bought some 1/2 inch square steel stock. With 1/16th inch walls.
The plumbers tool, you may have to file the inside of the "socket" to get it to fit the 17 MM nut on the top of the shock absorber.
Cut the steel stock about 8-10 inches long. Then, now this is the precision part, hit the end of the stock with a hammer so that it closes the opening so that it will fit over the end of the shock. This will hold the shaft still while you turn the nut. You may have to grind it to get it to fit into the socket tool.
I chose to weld a T onto the other end of the steel stock. You place the steel "T" tool inside the socket assembly and can hold the "T" as you rotate the socket with a wrench. Or you can weld a couple of pieces of the steel stock on the socket assembly to create a double T.

Attached is the original Mercedes tool from the 123 Service Manual. The next 2 posts will show the tool I made.

I found the working on the 300TD was pretty easy. The 560SL was a bear. I had to remove the radiator expansion tank on the right side and move the A/C hose on the left side. Having this tool would have been helpful.

Of course now I have new shocks on both cars and probably won't need the tool for 5-10 years.

Dave

The Mercedes tool

My tool seperated

My tool together.

Hey man, that looks nice.

omegebenz

OK I went to your photo site.

First I WANT THE MILLING MACHINE AND THE METAL LATHE.

Second My tool looks nice????!!! Lend me those 2 tools and we can make something. This was a $7 make it cheap and fast. I would love to have a Milling/lathe combo machine.

But
1 I don't know where I would put it. The garage is already holding 2 cars and a wood/auto shop, barely
2 With the airlines in the shape there in, Large purchases are not a wise idea.

Dave

PS Thanks for the compliment, Again cheap and fast, but it works.

Nice tool! Just wondering though....when I changed the shocks on mine I just held the shaft with a screwdriver and turned the nut with a box end wrench. Is there something wrong with the way I did it? Or is this a totally different ball game on a 107?

Extend your garage to the street and put them in the back. =) I could make the mercedes tool, it would probably take me six hours, but my friend has one, so I will just borrow his =)

mbtjc
No as long as the center shaft does not rotate you don't have to worry about the shock comming apart. I have the 560 SL. The Mercedes shocks do not have a screwdriver slot in the center shaft, therefore I did it by using a small adjustable wrench to hold the shaft and a 17MM open end wrench to loosen/tighten the first nut. To tighten the second locking nut I have one 17MM open end wrench that I ground down on a grinding wheel so it will fit under the second 17MM wrench that tightens the top nut.
The area around the shock in the 560 SL is pretty crowded so getting the wrenches to work and all is just a pain. This tool will make the job easier. As I said, now that the 2 cars that have shocks have had the units replaced in the last month. I probably wont need the tool for a couple of years.

Dave

A 1/4" open end wrench on the shock shaft always worked great for me.

Nifty tool though.

The front ones on my new Bilsteins had a screwdriver slot.....same difference though. Yeah, that's what I figured...that on a 107 things are much different as far as space.