Author Topic: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool  (Read 6120 times)

lreppond

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Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« on: April 15, 2021, 00:07:57 »
I’ve never been able to figure out the function/purpose of the black sleeve that slides over the wheel alignment tool.  I know purpose of the tool but just not the sleeve. Can someone help me out? 
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

DavidAPease

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2021, 00:17:49 »
Looks like a clip to hold the tool in place in the trunk.

          -David
-David Pease
 '66 230SL (Originally sold in Paris)

scoot

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2021, 01:21:18 »
It clips into a notch in the trunk of many older MB cars.  I have some of them I think if someone is missing theirs.  I'm not 100% sure that pagodas have the notch.  W108s and W111s certainly do...
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

mrfatboy

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2021, 01:43:54 »
@scoot

Do you happen to have a picture of the notch? Just interested.
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

scoot

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2021, 01:54:40 »
@scoot

Do you happen to have a picture of the notch? Just interested.
I do not, sorry.  I don't currently own a Mercedes.  It's near the right side tail light.  In the back panel.
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

lreppond

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2021, 02:15:51 »
Scott and David were spot on! I found this pic on this site.  It was the basis for a quiz question a few moons ago. 

Never ceases to amaze me at the wealth of knowledge the members of this group possess.  Now I know the use of the sleeve!
« Last Edit: April 15, 2021, 02:22:57 by lreppond »
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

Tyler S

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2021, 13:36:04 »
On w113’s, Only 230’s with the vertical mounted spare tire had this notch cutout in the rear trunk wall.
« Last Edit: April 15, 2021, 16:08:45 by Tyler S. »
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

wwheeler

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2021, 15:43:24 »
Pic of it mounted in a W111 trunk with the lug wrench.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

lreppond

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2021, 19:02:33 »
I’m assuming they did away with this notch when the w113 changed from a vertically mounted spare to the horizontal one.  Then the tool was stored in the spare cover flap without the plastic clip. 
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

neelyrc

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2021, 03:55:07 »
It should be noted that the wheel alignment tool was not standard for all 113 cars.  According to Pagoda Notes, Volume 11, No. 1 of January, 2017, this tool was discontinued during 280SL production with VIN 5912 on October 4, 1968.
« Last Edit: April 16, 2021, 03:59:33 by neelyrc »
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

707dieseldean

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2021, 19:36:47 »
It should be noted that the wheel alignment tool was not standard for all 113 cars.  According to Pagoda Notes, Volume 11, No. 1 of January, 2017, this tool was discontinued during 280SL production with VIN 5912 on October 4, 1968.

Thats funny... I have Vin #5948 and i have the wheel alignment tool w/o plastic in my tool bag that was delivered with the car.
69 280SL / Manual 4 speed
 904 - Lower Midnight Blue
 158 - Upper White/Grey
 145- Vellum Interior

lreppond

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2021, 21:20:08 »
Thanks Ralph!   I had read that and was surprised to see it in my dads collection of “tools”.  At the same time he purchased the SL for himself, he also purchased a new Grosser for my mother.  It’s quite possible, the tool came from it?   My brother has the car now and I’ll need to check to see if he has one too. 

Even if the car never came with it originally, it’s still a cool little device and a conversation piece to boot.  (Same thing with the plastic fuse pliers.)  And with its little storage spot in the spare wheel cover, it truly doesn’t seem out of place. 
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

neelyrc

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #12 on: April 17, 2021, 03:03:52 »
Thats funny... I have Vin #5948 and i have the wheel alignment tool w/o plastic in my tool bag that was delivered with the car.
Who knows?  Perhaps the fellows on the assembly line had a few extras and continued including until they ran out.  Or, unless you are the original owner, perhaps a PO included it in your tool bag.
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

mrfatboy

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2021, 03:12:20 »
Only 36 vin difference. That’s 1-2 days of production if I calculated correctly 😜 Maybe one rolled under the  bin and was found the next day 🤣
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

neelyrc

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #14 on: April 17, 2021, 03:15:14 »
...........Even if the car never came with it originally, it’s still a cool little device and a conversation piece to boot.  (Same thing with the plastic fuse pliers.)  And with its little storage spot in the spare wheel cover, it truly doesn’t seem out of place.......

Agreed!
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

mbzse

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #15 on: April 17, 2021, 07:35:19 »
Both the plastic fuse pliers as well as the wheel centering pin could be bought from the dealer, at the time when you took delivery of your Pagoda or, at a later date.
They were just not part of the standard delivery option for a W113 car, as per discussion here.
« Last Edit: April 21, 2021, 13:03:33 by mbzse »
/Hans S

DavidAPease

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #16 on: April 19, 2021, 18:38:25 »
When they went to the horizontal spare in the 230SL, they moved the tools to clips in the trunk floor, under the spare.  Here is the trunk of my '66 with the spare removed.

         -David
-David Pease
 '66 230SL (Originally sold in Paris)

Merc_Girl

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #17 on: April 26, 2021, 21:53:36 »
Scott and David were spot on! I found this pic on this site.  It was the basis for a quiz question a few moons ago. 

Never ceases to amaze me at the wealth of knowledge the members of this group possess.  Now I know the use of the sleeve!

Now I know what the little holder is for, thank you!! 😁
230SL

Pawel66

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #18 on: April 27, 2021, 07:19:44 »
Just to complete the picture for future searchers, even though this has been discussed here already - the picture of how this place in the trunk evolved. The lug wrench went to the spare wheel cover pocket. I think there is also space there for the alignment tool, the original short one, not, I think, the later longer one.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

DavidAPease

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #19 on: April 27, 2021, 19:34:25 »
Pawel,

It looks like the jack changed significantly, as well.  On mine, you pull out the rod that is sticking out of the top of the jack and use it to turn the screw.

            -David
-David Pease
 '66 230SL (Originally sold in Paris)

Pawel66

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Re: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool
« Reply #20 on: April 27, 2021, 19:44:13 »
Yes, indeed, there was an evolution there. It is well described on the Forum and in the Wiki.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class