All I need to finish my steering pump is a 14mm hex drive to remove the resevoir from the old pump and swap to the new. No one locally had one, none of the stores or friends with repair shops. I had to order one from Snap-on, was supposed to be a two day delivery, found out today that it won't be in until Thur/Fri if I'm lucky. Is a 14mm hex drive or allen that odd a size, or is it one of those "strictly Merecedes" tools?

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Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

I use one every day at Caterpillar so I think it would be rather common. However we do use our own brand of tools and bolts so it could be a special item.

Auto Zone has these larger metric hex tools. If you've got one near you try that.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

Mike,

Is it the same 14 mm hex "Allen" wrench that's needed for the diff. plug?

el Miguel,

Is that the Caterpillar assembly plant at Clayton?




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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

BTW, Mike,

About 18 yrs ago, I needed 14 mm hex "Allen" wrench for removing diff. plug on 80 240D; 'didn't have it, but I did have short piece of hex steel about 1 1/2" long and slightly larger than 14 mm in dia. I carefully gtounf all sides on one end down to 14 mm, making myself a "special tool"; used it on 81 300D diff. couple of weeks ago.



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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

Wilton, if the differential plug is 14mm, then I'll be set when it comes in. I do need to check the 90w level soon. I tried everyone locally, Pep Boys, Auto Zone, Sears none to be found. That's when I had a friend with a shop order one from Snap-on (after checking all his tool drawers). Also, the local Auto Zone has not been of much help on any of my vehicles as far as parts go.

I too tried to make a suitable tool. I didn't have any hex stock to bring down to size, but I did try a bolt. Couldn't find a bolt with a 14mm head, but found that with care I could slip a 9/16 headed bolt in the recess. Then I took two nuts and a lock washer, jammed them together as tight as I could and gave it a try. The length of the bolt caused it to wobble and when I used a wedge to keep it level, I could get enough force on it to turn the nuts, without loosening the fitting. A noble experiment without results. A touch of air and the proper fitting tool should do it.

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Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

Mike,

Good try with the bolt head. I tried that, too - couldn't get it to work, either; then I found the hex stock and was set. Good luck!!

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

Mike,

Remind me, where is Temecula? I lived several places in CA while in AF: bombing and navigation training at Mather AFB, Rancho Cordova (Sacramento); B-52 combat crew training at Castle AFB, Atwater (Merced); civil engineer at George AFB, Victorville - 'had a small house (cabin) in San Gabiel Mt. village of Wrightwood.


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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

Wilton,

Victorville is about 100 miles north of Temecula on I-15, although the cabin in Wrightwood is closer. If you remember March AFB, between Perris and Riverside, that's about 20-25 miles or so up the road.
And I stay right out by Mather when I visit friends or go to pistol matches in Sac.

You didn't say how long ago you were here, but it has definitely changed. I've been here in town for 15 years, seen the population grow from 360 in town proper to over 40,000 within city limits. It is just about like being in the big city nowadays, one big city from San Diego to LA.

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Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

Mike,

'At Mather in 61/62; Castle 62 & 71; Victorville/Wrightwood 75 - 79. Last saw CA 4 Jul 79 when I last flew B-52 from Edwards AFB to Goldsboro, NC.

Everywhere is growing too fast!! Raleigh, NC, area now seems like LA when I was last there.

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

My 14mm hex wrench came in the tool kit that came with the car. It fits the differential and transmission filler holes. Check your tool kit.

Jim Villers
190SL

I saw the Snap On truck at a shop, stopped and bought a 14MM, 1/2 inch drive Allen from him. He had it on the truck. That was probably 12 or 13 years ago.

It is the right size to fit the transmission (manual) drain plug and differential drain and fill plugs. However, it won't fit up between the transmission fill plug and the tunnel. You will need the special drain plug wrench, or you can mess up the outer portion of the plug with Channel locks and get the job done.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Sure it isnt a Torx bit????

Wilton, this is el Miguel also really known as Mike Williams. Yep I work at the Clayton Cat House. Good job. I have seen your posts and wondered if you might be AF. I sent you an e-mail concerning a mechanic in Raleigh. Did you get it? You are right. Raleigh ain't the sleepy little town it once was. In fact I avoid going there if at all possible. You can see that I live in Princeton so I am a country boy and like it that way. I enjoy your posts. Keep em running!

Mike Williams (el Miguel),

I think I did get a post from you about Ral. MB tech/wrench. 'Didn't have return address for you. 'Took my 81 300D to D & E Quality Ser. out near MB dealer in Ral. (401N?) in Feb for smoking-after-first-start-of-day prob. They did lots of tests/checks on it; replaced valve stem quides & several other little things. 'Found them very knowledgable and conscientious. Cost was much more reasonable than MB dealer!! 'Talked to Tim Mize, 919-872-7771. Good luck!!

Probably what my 300D needed as much as anything was some Italian tune-ups and occasional flogging - it has spent most of its life at significantly under 55-60 mph. It is coming around very nicely.

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D