autozen - thanks for saving me crimp tool rental fee for the next chain I crimp on. I had forgotten about a ball peen hammer. What do you use to "back up" the link with when hitting it with the ball peen hammer?

The ONLY time I would use the link as shown in the picture is to connect the new/old chain together to roll the new one in. I have used the type as shown on motorcycle final drives but they got replaced quite often compared to a MB timing chain. There is too much cost involved if/when it fails. I recently purchased a new chain from the dealer for the 240D and it came with a crimp style link.

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Jim