SHOP MANUAL

[toneypenna]

Hello to everyone and anyone that can point me in the right direction.

I have been looking around this site without any luck for access to a shop manual, I have found the technical manual which has been very helpful, but was looking for a shop manual, where it would give renderings and step by step process to complete a given repair. If there isn't one could someone please direct me as to where I could get one.

Thanks for any help you can give me,

Jim

[Jonny B]

You have asked here on the site, and that is the best place to start.

Next up would be to set up a standard search on eBay for the manual. There are two versions of the factory One for cars After August 1959, and another for cars after 1968 (no month listed on the cover). These are usually not terribly difficult to find.

You might want to consider the Haynes manual also.

[Bonnyboy]

Depending on what you are doing a Haynes and a Chilton (you need both) may be adequate for your needs.  If you are looking for the factory Big Blue Book (BBB) depending on the year of your toy, you should look for the early one and the later one as some items are only in the early one.  You may be able to find one online and just read it on your kindle.

The BBB seems to be tailored to Mercedes mechanics with the factory tools.  For example I just did some work on my car and the BBB noted  "separate the joint with a suitable instrument.  Installation is reverse."   where as the Haynes noted measuring distances first, removing the cotter pin in the nut and then described the type of tool to use that may be found in a regular tool box and then how to put it all back together.   

My big blue books sit in my book shelf in the office whereas the Haynes and Chiltons are covered in grease  and sit in the garage with the other generic manuals.     For more in-depth items the BBB is invaluable but it assumes that you know what you are doing.  I tend to start with the BBB in the confines of my study and then once I have an idea of what to do  I head to the garage where the the Chilton and Haynes are waiting for me. -  I find you need both many times.

And don't forget U-tube - our cars are relatively simple and some of the procedures are on there. 

and of course there is good info on our SL113 site -  become a fuill member to access all the site has to offer.




 

[toneypenna]

Thank You for the help, I should have mentioned subject car is a 64 230 SL

Jim

[Cees Klumper]

What Ian said - I have the BBB but can't remember the last time, or any time, I actually used it. I have used the Haynes and Chilton manuals though, very useful (and cheaper to boot).

[toneypenna]

Thank You for your insight, I should have mentioned the car is a 1964 230SL

Jim

[toneypenna]

Thank You, I'll probably search for the Haynes and Chilton first,  I've seen the one for 68 up, since I have a 64 230 SL I'll probably need the earlier one.

Jim

[Benz Dr.]

MB manuals are kind of different. They assume that you already understand how to do most things and the manual is for looking up specs or how to do some specific job. If you can't find how to place rings on a piston you would have to go all the way back to the 190 workshop manual for that.
Since we sometimes work on 126 or 107 cars I have all of the manuals for them. Better than guessing or trying to figure out something that you can't fix anyway.

[MikeSimon]

Dan makes a very good point. The BBB is for factory dealer mechanics. These guys go through specific training and their start point is different from that of a shade-tree mechanic. While it is not a bad thing to have the BBB, the price they are being traded for does not warrant the purchase for the hobby mechanic. They are hard to understand, difficult to navigate and do not address specific problem issues you may encounter. Haynes or Chilton are the way to go. And this forum, of course!

[toneypenna]

I would like to thank all of you for your insight.

Jim

[DaveB]

Also look out for 'Glenn's Mercedes Benz Repair and Tune-up Guide'
Used copies often available on ebay and online used book resellers for around $10