Diesel RVs: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re: Starter removal 84 300D with auto tranny.

Yeah, you gotta get the car UP, high enough to swing a 24-inch breaker bar (or pipe slipped over a ratchet). You gotta get a GOOD, 3/8- or 1/2-inch drive, 10mm hex bit in the bolt, square and all the way in. Allen keys will NOT work. You gotta get enough extensions on there to be able to swing your 24-inch breaker bar at least 90-degrees. Make sure the bolt head is clean of any oily/greasy dirt; you may have to scrape it out with a small screwdriver. Once I have my extensions set up with the hex bit, I will introduce the assembly to the bolt, then give a couple of firm taps with a 12-oz hammer to the rear most extension. This will insure the bit is well seated into the bolt, and, maybe, will help break the bolts threads loose of corrosion.

BTW: This is a WHOLE lot easier on an SD than on a W123 (or W115, for that matter), simply because you have more room between the bell housing and the firewall.

(Don't forget that "we" had a bit of help in the defeat of Germany in WWII. They were hopelessly and literally bogged down in a fight with the Soviet Empire, diverting much needed kids, guns, German-jeeps, and so on. Hitler and the Warmacht fatally underestimated Russian fighting will and skill, Russian weather, and "Rasputinitsa" - the Russian mud.)

Mark in Lakewood, CO (Self-proclaimed history nut....)

From: "Nate" <vwnate1@yahoo.com>
To: "diesel mercedes" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 7:31:09 PM
Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Re: Starter removal 84 300D with auto tranny.

I had to use every 3/8" extension in the tool box (several feet of them ,T om was amazed and might have measured it) and the longest flex handle to crack it loose , then I was able to unscrew that ding-dang bolt , the car was off the ground so I had plenty of space under it behind the tranny and I tuned the air blue in three counties before the job was done .

FWIW , the _only_ reason we won WWII was because we had more of everything , kids , guns , Jeeps and so on .

-Nate
Nick Said :
>
> Trying to get the top bolt out of the starter. I am ready to take a torch to the tranny tunnel if someone can not give me a better way.(and I am serious) Really, you guys think these cars are brilliant pieces of engineering?
> I have been working on cars for over 35 years. I can replace a chevy starter in less than 15 minutes and be enjoying a cold one in 20. I have worked on this for 5 hours. cut two allens, chopped up a good 10mm wrench then twisted it into a pretzel and still it does not move.
>
> Whoever designed a starter with allen bolts is a moron. Give me one good reason that an allen is necessary. No wonder we won WWII.
>
> Nick
>