Tools and accessories (Mercedes-Benz C-Class W201)

Introduction

Selecting good tools is the key to good maintenance and successful repair of your car. For car owners who do not have such tools, purchasing them will cause significant expenses. However, provided that the purchased tools meet safety requirements and are of good quality, they will serve for many years and save a lot of money.

To help the car owner decide what tools he or she needs to perform the various jobs described in this guide, we have compiled three tool lists under the following headings: "Maintenance & Repair," "Medium & Major Repair," and "Specialty." Owners who have no experience with maintenance and repair should begin by purchasing a set of maintenance & minor repair tools and limiting themselves to a simple work area around the car. Then, as they gain experience, they can move on to more complex tasks. This will require purchasing additional tools as needed. Thus, a "Maintenance & Minor Repair" tool set can be expanded to a "Medium & Major Repair" set over a significant period of time, without incurring a large one-time expense. Experienced car owners may have a set of tools suitable for most repair jobs, plus additional tools from the "Specialty" category if they are confident that the expense of purchasing them will be justified by the frequent use of the tools.

Set of tools for maintenance and minor repairs

This list contains the minimum set of tools needed for maintenance and minor repairs. We recommend purchasing combination wrenches (a box wrench on one side and an open-end wrench on the other); although these wrenches are more expensive, they have the advantages of both types of wrenches.

• Set of wrenches:
• Metric - from 8 to 19 mm inclusive
• Adjustable Wrench - 35mm Jaws (approximately).
• Spark plug wrench (with rubber insert)


(Material borrowed from an online resource MercedesMAN)
• Spark plug gap adjustment device
• Set of feeler gauges
• Key for unscrewing the brake system bleed nipples
• Screwdrivers:
• Flat End - 100mm long x 6mm diameter
• With cross end - 100mm long x 6mm diameter.
• Pliers
• Hacksaw
• Tire pressure indicator
• Oil filter removal tool
• Sandpaper on a cloth backing
• Wire brush (small)
• Funnel (medium size)

Set of tools for medium and major repairs

These tools and accessories are essential for any major car repair and complement the tool kit for maintenance and minor repairs.

This list includes a set of socket wrenches with interchangeable heads. Although expensive, it is very useful for repair work when loosening nuts and bolts with different heads. We recommend a brace for such wrenches with a square head, since it can be used with most torque heads. The tools in this list sometimes require supplementation with tools from the Special List:

• Set of socket heads in the range of the previous list
• Ratchet wrench with reversible drive (for use with socket heads)
• Extension cord at least 250 mm long (for use with socket heads)
• Cardan joint ratchet (for use with socket heads)
• Torque wrench (for use with socket heads)
• Round head hammer
• Soft Head Hammer (plastic, aluminum or rubber)
• Screwdrivers:
• Flat-ended - long and strong, short (wide) narrow (for electrical work)
• With a cross-shaped end - long and strong, short (wide)
• Pliers:
• With long noses
• Side cutters (for electrical work)
• Snap ring pliers - external and internal
• Chisel - 25 mm
• Marker
• Scraper
• Kerner
• Punch
• Hacksaw
• Hose clamp kit
• Brake Bleeding Kit
• Drill with a set of drills
• Steel ruler
• Set of files
• Allen Key Set (including Torx)
• Car stands
• Wire brush set
• Hydraulic jack
• Portable lamp with extension cord

Special tools and devices

The tools and equipment listed here are not used often and are expensive, but should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions. If relatively complex mechanical work is done infrequently, these tools will not pay for themselves. If this is the case, you might consider teaming up with friends (or join a motorist's club), to buy such tools or rent them from specialists.



The following list contains only those tools and accessories that are commercially available, not those manufactured by the vehicle manufacturer specifically for the dealer. You may find references to special tools throughout this manual. Usually, an alternative method of performing the job without the special tools is given. However, sometimes there is no alternative. If this is the case and the appropriate tools cannot be purchased or borrowed, you will have to have the job done by the dealer.

• Valve Spring Compressor
• Valve disassembly tool
• Piston ring conductor
• Tool for removing / installing piston rings
• Honing head for boring cylinder mirror
• Ball joint puller
• Suspension spring compressor
• Pullers of various designs
• Impact screwdriver
• Micrometer and caliper
• Angle meter
• Strobe lamp
• Interrupter Angle Meter/Tachometer
• Universal Electrical Tester
• Cylinder compression indicator
• Hand vacuum pump and indicator
• Clutch slave disc centering tool
• Brake Pad Removal Tool
• Tool for pressing in/out bushings
• Stud Extractor
• Set of taps and dies for cutting threads
• Device for lifting loads
• Jack on wheels

Buying tools

Supermarkets and big box stores often offer excellent, high quality tools and accessories at low prices.

Remember, you don't have to buy the most expensive tool, but avoid buying the cheapest one either. Beware of "bargains" offered at car boot sales and similar places. You can, of course, buy good tools at reasonable prices, but always try to buy products that meet safety requirements. When in doubt, consult with the owner or manager of the store.

Storage and maintenance of tools

Once you have purchased the necessary set of tools, keep them clean and in good condition. After use, always clean the tools from dirt, oil and metal particles with a dry cloth. Never leave them on the workbench if you are not currently using them. Simple tools such as screwdrivers and pliers are stored on the walls of the garage. G Eternal wrenches and socket heads are stored in a metal box. Any measuring devices, indicators, etc., should be stored in places where they will be protected from damage and rust.

Exercise basic caution when working with tools and equipment. Hammer heads get nicked and screwdriver blades get dull from time to time. Give your tools a little attention, sand them or file them down, and they'll be back to their original condition.

Workplace

If the work is more than normal maintenance, a good work area is essential. For example, work such as engine assembly and disassembly, etc. should be done in a garage under a roof. Wherever possible, disassembly of any unit should be done on a clean, flat workbench or table of suitable height.

Any workbench should be equipped with a vice with an opening of up to 100 mm. Such a vice is suitable for most work places. As mentioned above, a dry, clean place should be allocated for storing tools, in addition, a place is required for storing all kinds of lubricants, liquids, paint for touching up, etc.

One of the most common tools in the garage is a power drill with a chuck for drill bits up to at least 8 mm in diameter, which can be used for a wide variety of jobs.

Last but not the least, always keep some old newspapers and clean rags at your work area and keep your work area clean.