Hi guys,

I am a newbie here. Just got the 99 ml430. So far, I love it.
I would like to change the serentine belt on it and replace the fuel filter.
Can anyone point me to the right direction? Is there a DIY post that I can use?

Thanks in advance,

-Nat

i have some work instructions for each item that you need, they are a little big to post here, send me an email and i will send them to you.

Thanks the info Ray, they are very useful.

While I am trying to remove the tire to work on the fuel filter, I was not able to remove the tire after all the nuts had been removed. Is there a special trick
to remove it? I try to hit the tire couple times but had no luck.

Cheer,

-Nat

screw in one lug bolt a little bit, and kick the wheel from the inside, this should break it loose

A safer and easier way to break the wheel loose from the hub is to use the vehicle weight. I raise the wheel with a jack and loosen each wheel lug a few turns. I then lower the vehicle, letting the weight of it break loose the wheel. Works every time.

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99 ML430

i find that to be the complete opposite of safe, i think that is an irresponsible post and should be ignored. i am sure others will concur.

Thanks guys, I will give it a try. This is a great forum .

Cheers,

-Nat

carson356,

Depends on how you look at it. Your post does not imply whether the vehicle is on a jack stand or on a lift when you suggest kicking the tire. Kicking the tire from the inside, when lifted by a jack, could force the vehicle off the jack. That could result in a very dangerous situation. I have done both and have decided my suggested method is much safer.

I should add that the jack should only be lowered enough to break the wheel loose and no more. In other words the jack is always supplying enough lifting force to not allow potential sheer damage to wheel lugs and also to hold the vehicle up in the unlikely event that the wheel would come off the hub.

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99 ML430

any time the vehicle has wheel off it should be on a lift or on stands,if it is not it should never be worked on, you are not going to force a 6000 pound vehicle off of a lift or jack stands by kicking the wheel to break it loose.

I agree -letting the vehicle weight break a rusty wheel loose is a horrible idea.
No offense to anyone. But this could cause damage to the lugs, hub, and wheel. DO NOT DO IT.

I agree with you about not working under the car unless jack stands or utilized or a lift is used.

My point was that there are times that the wheel is stuck-hard on the hub and a very large kicking force would be needed to knock loose. When kicking the wheel, the vehicle side oscillation that results could be severe and my perception is that it could be dangerous even if on jack stands.

I heard about the vehicle weight method from a mechanic and really never gave it much thought about it being unsafe. I certainly do not condone this method if it is deemed unsafe.

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99 ML430