FYI - It can be done with the transmission still in the car.
Unbolt crossmember, driveshaft and transmission linkage...doenst hurt to undo the exhaust either and get it out of the way.
Have an assistant use the business end of a prybar to pry the transmission towards the drivers side of the car...not too difficult
if you use the DIY guide on mbz.org they dont give a very good explanation as to how to remove the seal & nylon bushing they reccomend getting...I used a butter knife to get in behind the seal and pry it away..good luck!
Be safe. Put the car on jackstands!!

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1992 300TE 4matic - Just obtained 12/22/06
1983 300D - SOLD
1997 Dodge 2500 - CTD 400+HP, 1100ft/lbs torque

Is it shifting like normal now? If so, that is great news. Now I just need to find a good deal on the B2 piston like you did.

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83 300SD
81 300D
79 300SD
All Running on Biodiesel!

well - I got it all done last night, decided to put it in D and see what happens...well it looks like I will be dropping the crossmember and getting it to sag again because the o-ring that seals the B2 piston cover got rolled when I was installing it..i shifted to D and it shot the o-ring out of the cover ripping it....guess I'll start it and make sure it works before I put it all back together next time...live and learn

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1992 300TE 4matic - Just obtained 12/22/06
1983 300D - SOLD
1997 Dodge 2500 - CTD 400+HP, 1100ft/lbs torque

I read somewhere that the piston needs a bevel somewhere. I think its on the large ring with the teflon seal. I can't remember the web site where I saw this. I'll keep looking...

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

the large ring is all teflon on the updated part...on the original its just a thin teflon ring in the middle of the piston.

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1992 300TE 4matic - Just obtained 12/22/06
1983 300D - SOLD
1997 Dodge 2500 - CTD 400+HP, 1100ft/lbs torque