Recently, I set out with the goal to provide our customers with all the resources they would need to troubleshoot and repair the brake systems on their own cars. As your favorite Benz ages brake problems will arise and they can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. Since brakes are a safety related system it is also VERY important that any repair work be done properly and with great care.
If you are going to change a water pump on a 103 engine you will need this tool or you may never get the pump off. The hours wasted can lead to extreme mental meltdown (I speak from experience :-) ). Access and clearance is so tight that a normal 3/8 inch drive extension and universal will not work. This is a quality set of tools put together for you to work right from the start. The socket is Craftsman and the extensions and universal with adapter are Stanley. Partial instructions included.
This tool comes only with instructions to get on and to remove the water pump bolts. It DOES NOT come with complete instructions on removing and replacing the pump. Those instructions are in the works and will be available soon.
Kent is often asked what are the most important SEALANTS AND ADESIVES to have around for your Benz. These are his top 5 picks. This kit includes the following 5 products:
Here is what Kent says about these wrenches: " I am very picky about the "feel" and "fit" of my combination wrenches. Some are just too smooth and slippery, while others just don't feel good in your hands. Then their are those who have real thick heads that make it hard to get on close quarter nuts and bolts (like Kobalt). A lot of the real cheap wrenches don't fit tight on the heads, thus causing rounding off of the heads (like a lot of them)!!
5 pieces 11" to 16" long misc ends from our cutoff stock. From 1/8 inch to 3/16 inch diameter. These can be used on various vacuum connections. Maybe some small fuel hose included. Yes, Kent does use fuel hose on vacuum systems as it will not swell and rot like regular rubber vacuum hose.
PLEASE NOTE: Not to be used for diesel fuel injector fuel return hoses!!
For 14mm and 18mm spark plugs. These work on the older and the newer ( Up to 1995) Mercedes spark plug holes. Use a 13/16 inch deep socket to drive the chaser.
This is a very handy smaller torque wrench to have in your tool box. It will do fuel injectors but is not quite big enough to torque wheel lug bolts. Range is 5 to 80 foot pounds. To order a 1/2 drive torque wrench CLICK HERE.
Nice set of heavy duty pick tools with rubberized handles. They have hardened steel tips which allow for more prying and twisting with less tendency to bend the tips.
Once an engine or transmission gets over 20 years old the seals start to fail and will eventually leak. Many times it's not from wear on the seal lip, but rather from age. I said this many times that age is the big killer when it comes to something made of rubber, plastic or any type of synthetic flexible material.
The rear crankshaft seal is one such problem area on older Mercedes gas and diesel engines. if you have one of the old 616 or 617 diesel engines it's very difficult to change the rear crank seal without removing engine from the car. But many other early models including all those diesels produced from 1986 onward have a replaceable rear crank seal that can be removed and replaced once the transmission is pulled out of the car.
Replace those nuts that keep loosening up with nylock metric nuts that just won't come off. Inside the door panel on the window regulators. Around the engine compartment. Air filter housing nuts. etc. etc.
Kent finally found a hand held torch that REALLY works. And you need a torch like this when working on old cars... one that auto starts easily (like on the first click!), one that does not flame out when you hold it close to the surface, one is easy to adjust the flame and temp, and one that really puts out the heat when needed.
Comes with rapid Piezo start and fine flame adjustment control.
I have used a lot of different clamping tools over the years to prevent fluids from leaking out when removing coolant, fuel, or brake fluid hoses. Most work ok. Some are hard to use in tight places. Many do not stop every last drip from coming out of the hose. Imagine my excitement a couple years ago when I saw a clamping tool combined with a vise grip like mechanism. I immediate thought - not that is a tool and a half! Sure enough after using it it has proven to be the best I have ever used. And yes, it will stop every drip.... to is super easy to get into tight places and easily clamp and unclamp. The clamp bars swivel are are big enough to work on radiator hoses and strong enough to work on smaller heater and fuel hoses.
I like tools. I especially like tools that work as advertised and make the job easier. I am constantly on the lookout for new tool releases and/or unique designs. From my own experience, I know that many new tools come from someone's frustration over a tool that just does not work quite right. That is how my diesel valve adjusting wrenches came into being!. Those German Hazett valve wrenches just did not "cut it." I can not believe I have sold over 10,000 pairs of my valve wrenches. So when I see a new tool that fills a need I always smile and wonder just who was behind the concept and what happened to bring it to market!
Fluid leaks are a very common problem on older cars and it is something you will eventually need to deal with if you plan to own an older Mercedes Benz that you use as a daily driver. They can be coolant leaks, brake fluid leaks, transmission leaks, rear end leaks, fuel system leaks and engine oil leaks. Engine oil leaks are more common on diesel engines because of the high internal crank case pressures. On this page we will review some of the common fluid leaks and direct you to our specialty parts and kits that will help you fix it yourself!
Kent could not live without zip ties. Almost anyone who has work on cars, boats, or airplanes will agree. Here is a 100 pak of the popular 8 inch size.
This set of 5 pick tools have very thin and sharp points. The variety of angles available allows you to get into almost anywhere to remove and o-ring, sealing ring or other small part. Comes in protective plastic case.
This kit will help you get a new hood pad installed properly in your older Benz. If you do not use the proper procedure or the right glue the hood pad will be falling down again soon. This kit comes with the following:
Special contact adhesive (enough to do one hood pad)
Be sure to watch Kent's video on hood pad replacement. Click on the video link on the main tech help page.
We also carry hood pads for most older Mercedes. Just type "hood pad" in the search box to view selection.
Worn tie rod ends can affect the steering of your car as well as safety. In most models there are six of them located on the ends of the linkage rods that connect your wheel hubs to the steering box. They do not wear out overnight! Most extreme wear is caused by lack of lubrication. On all models after the early 1960's the grease is sealed in the tie rod ball joint by a rubber boot. If this boot cracks the grease will leak out and moisture will leak in.
This is one area on an old Benz that really gets neglected. In fact you may even be asking yourself, "What could possibly need servicing inside the doors?" Believe it or not, there are actually quite a few things that need attention, and if they don't get it, your doors may suffer from broken or bent power window regulators, failed door check straps, sticking door locks, doors not shutting properly, or even bottoms of door rusting out.
New Safety Special of the Month: We believe safety should be foremost when driving and working on your Mercedes. Each month we will feature a special safety item or items with special savings. For the month of July we are featuring our heavy duty 1/2 inch torque wrench.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Many customers have asked where they can find the paint code for their older Mercedes. You will generally need this code when you go to purchase matching paint at any auto paint store. On most models from the early 1970's up through the mid 1990's the code number is located on the vin number plate on top the front core support just forward of the top of the radiator.
There are so many numbers on this plate that it can be difficult to find the one for the paint code. Look for the 3 digit number followed by a letter. In the upper picture (123 chassis you can see it on the bottom left - 932 H. On the lower picture (126 chassis) it is second up from the bottom left - 735 G.