300TD hatch strut help! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

djugurba · #1 09-25-2004, 05:28 PM

So, I aquired a set of struts for the hatch on my '85 300TD, and started into the remove/replace routine. I didnt get as far as remove.
I did get the pin out of the rear end of the struts, but the allen wrench would not budge the bolt through the little access hole in the headliner fabric, on either side. I resorted to WD40, waited a good long time, and tried again. This time, I went at it with my drill with an extension. At power, it actually snapped the extension(!) rather than budging the bolt, after clicking it's displeasure several times. I took a few (gentle) whacks (love taps) at the bolts to loosen them (and to cleanse my frustration), but it's clear to me something else is amuck. and, my manual gives no pics or assistance other than remove/replace. The bolts appear clean as the day they were installed; I don't think they've rusted. I am concerned that they might have been thread-locked however...
How do I get the damn bolts out!?!
Thanks!
k

Greasy · #2 09-25-2004, 11:00 PM

I replaced mine on a 83 TD. an allen did not fit. I had to get a metric star wrench I think 8mm, it was very tight. I tried with all my might then snap!

I thought I broke something, But out came the bolt! nothing broken.
Same thing on both sides.
Its a real pain to do, keep on trying, use more penitrating oil. and hope.

Boston Benz · #3 09-25-2004, 11:47 PM

Try doing a search, you'll find a lot of entries on that problem. I was going to do this repair to a friend's wagon last year, read up on it, but never got around to it. I believe a small butane torch is required first by almost all people who try to remove those bolts. I also remember reading that some of the bolts require an XZN/triple square socket while other years used a simple allen head bolt.

#4 09-25-2004, 11:52 PM

Its not an allen bolt dude....It's a metric star as said above. If you have striped it totally you could be in trouble. My suggestion would be to leave that one alone, and get a set of metric star tools from sears (or where ever) and work on the other one. When I repaired mine I only had to replace one to get it to stay up.

djugurba · #5 09-26-2004, 12:21 AM

yeah, I was just sort of hoping there was a trick. I've got the star bit- that's what I used not allen. I'll cobble together another stronger manual set-up tomorrow and have another go at it. I actually broke an extension on this already! cripes! bolts are not stripped though, so that's positive. thanks all for the comiseration.
k