1978, 450sl starter

[Jmarksr]

Is there any way, short of unbolting and removing the body, to access the top bolt on the 450sl's starter?

[Arthur Dalton]

Lift up the rug..there should be an access/inspection plate there..

[Jmarksr]

Thank you. I will look for it.

[meltedpanda]

IF not , make one, took me 2 hours to get mine off my 220, and I was just about to make the hole, but finnaly got it with a flex shaft (of sorts)
Good luck

[350SL4spd]

If my failing memory still serves at all:

I believe the last 107 I pulled the starter on I already had the motor out and rebuilt just because it was accessible. But the one before that I had to use a flex connector, every exstension in the tool box, and a breaker bar. Car Jacked up in the front, flex connector off the socket, exstension, exstension, exstension down the tranny tunnel until you have a little room to turn down by the driveshaft.

It's a real knuckle buster too. You end up with a lot of loose play to take-up btw the flex connector and 5 or 6 old exstensions. Every time when it breaks free, I'm cursing because it comes free with such violence that I'm sure the head broke off the bolt. Haven't lost one yet through) knock on wood).

Good Luck.

[Jmarksr]

Sounds like an enjoyable afternoon. I hope the inspection plate suggestion works.

[meltedpanda]

I'm tellin ya, if its not there - make one