Thanks guys. This is one I feel like I can do myself if I take my time and try not to get too frustrated. Mechanic suggested that I might jack up the engine as well to clear the steering box.

Chicago: How were those 5 hex bolts? pretty tough? or did they ease right out? I've read horror stories about the starter hex and I'll be sure to clean them out really well to get a good seat with the wrench but I've never had much luck getting rusted bolts free.

Can you guys think of any reason not to replace the old hex bolts with regular hex head bolts?

This is what I get for letting laziness get the best of me. I just had her in for the insurance covered transmission work. While she was there I went ahead and let them replace 4 calipers, rotors, ball joints, steering damper and idler arm bushing. All told it set me back a bit. Insurance for the tranny debacle payed for all of the parts but I had to foot the labor. This mechanic is getting payed better than my dad did as an ER doc. He don't come cheap and ,probably, I could have RR'd the brakes and damper easily myself. But, I had had some scary issues with the brakes seizing on the highway early on and I just wanted to drive home a practically reissued Mercedes.

She's dreamy now. But to get this oil leak taken care of I'm gonna have to DIY cause I don't feel like paying for any more of his horses (this guy's a competitive trail rider not a sailor). A tougher job than brakes, maybe more fun though.

I blew up a 1600cc VW engine once. I don't want to lose this one.

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'82 240D, 215,000 +
Classic White, Regenbogen