I'm in the process of planning to replace the upper guide rails on my V8 119 engine (92 400SE M119). After reading through the information supplied on the AllData website, I noticed the information makes reference to MB Special tools to perform the upper guide rail replacement.

Are the special tools necessary to perform the job. Are there other tools that I can use as a work around for the job.

Thanks in advance for any information.

russell

I'm not sure if you can do it without the special tool, but since the tool isn't expensive, I'd pick one up...

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Dave
Boise, ID
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I talked to the tech about the special tool. He said that the tool is used to remove the upper guides without breaking them and, most of the time, they are so brittle that they break anyway. In fact, he advised me to shove some rags under where the timing chain goes down into the engine so none of the plastic will break off as you remove the old guides. No special tools are required unless you're trying to get them off without breaking the guides. There are only 2 Allen bolts on each side that hold the guides on.

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1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles

Correct. If you're just replacing old guides, your method works fine. If the guides are recent and don't need replacement, but need to be removed for other service work (i.e., changing the blasted plastic oil tube at the front of the head), the tool will allow removal without damage.