Funny, I just did this today on my '88 560SL. I put the jackstand under the right rear suspension arm. I also replaced most of the rubber fuel lines at the same time, so I drained the tank by clamping and removing the fuel line from the elbow fitting to the fuel accumulator and then removing the clamp once the end of the hose was inside a gas can. I had already siphoned the tank until there was about 5 gallons left.

I found it much easier to loosen the inside end of the fuel filter if the hose between the elbow fitting and the fuel pump was removed. The banjo bolt on the outside end can be removed fairly easily. You'll need either two 17mm wrenches or one 17mm and one 19mm wrench, depending on the brand of fuel filter you buy. Mine had a Mahle filter installed and I put in a Bosch.

I removed the entire assembly by loosening the fuel hose on the inside end of the fuel filter and the hose between the fuel tank and the elbow fitting. The tank has to be empty to do this. You'll also have to remove the electrical connections (disconnect the battery first) from the fuel pumps. Then there's four nuts to remove and the whole assembly will come right off.

Don't forget to use all new seal rings.

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Mike Heath
1988 560SL Black/Palomino
1988 300SEL Black Pearl/Burgandy
1984 500SEC Anthracite Grey/Palomino