I need to get a set of allen wrenches to work on my diesel. I have a set of small ones but there are a lot of large sized allen bolts on these cars. What sizes do you guys use the most often? What sizes or size range would be most usefull to me?

Thanks
Andrew

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Get yourself a set of hex sockets. On MB's what I use the most are 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 17. 19mm too if youre installing a block heater

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

I agree with John.

I have a small set of hex socket bits, 5,6,8,10, and 12. They are invaluable. Far better than any allen wrench.

For allen wrenches, you want a set of Bondhus ball end allen wrenches. These are what you want when you can't get a straight shot at a screw with a socket wrench and an extension.

what they said is true, but there will be times when you will want to have an expendable set of allen wrenches available to modify.

I have found that it is necessary to cut off a small piece of allen stock and then insert the stub into a wrench or small socket to gain access to some areas. I have had to do this on the fill plug on the manual transmission, and could/should have done this to access the top motor mount bolts and oil filter housing etc.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

And--Buy the whole set whether it is 1/4 drive 3/8 drive or 1/2. If your luck is like mine when you buy an individual tool in one size, down the road sometime you will need the other sizes and wonder why you didn't buy the whole set right away.

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1983 300-D turbo
1985 300-D turbo
1959 Harley Panhead chopper
1929 Ford coupe restored
I hang out with Boneheaddoctor at Schuman Automotive OBK#5
All liberals are mattoids but not all mattoids are liberal.

Theres just something about modifying tools I don't like I now have 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 inch drive hex sockets as well as a handfull of 1/4" swivel hex sockets for those pesky motor mount bolts an M104 intake bolts.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

the above. mine are craftsman.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

You might have a fit if you saw some of my tool boxes! I worked in aviation for 12+ years and have many modified and "homemade" tools. The reason for buying the made in China specials is to modify them. This is so you can save your quality tools.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Oh those harbor freight specials (my stuff at home), I have no problem hacking them up, its my snap-on stuff (my stuff at work) I wouldn't want to attack with a hacksaw to make it work...

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350