Author Topic: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool (Read 8161 times)

lreppond · « **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?

DavidAPease · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2021, 00:17:49 »

Looks like a clip to hold the tool in place in the trunk.

-David

scoot · « **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...

mrfatboy · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2021, 01:43:54 »

@scoot

Do you happen to have a picture of the notch? Just interested.

scoot · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2021, 01:54:40 »

Quote from: mrfatboy on April 15, 2021, 01:43:54

@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.

lreppond · « **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!

Tyler S · « **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.

wwheeler · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2021, 15:43:24 »

Pic of it mounted in a W111 trunk with the lug wrench.

lreppond · « **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.

neelyrc · « **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.

707dieseldean · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2021, 19:36:47 »

Quote from: neelyrc 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.

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.

lreppond · « **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.

neelyrc · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2021, 03:03:52 »

Quote from: 707dieseldean on April 16, 2021, 19:36:47

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.

mrfatboy · « **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 🤣

neelyrc · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2021, 03:15:14 »

Quote from: lreppond on April 16, 2021, 21:20:08

...........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!

mbzse · « **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.

DavidAPease · « **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

Merc_Girl · « **Reply #17 on:** April 26, 2021, 21:53:36 »

Quote from: lreppond 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!

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

Pawel66 · « **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.

DavidAPease · « **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

Pawel66 · « **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.

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Author Topic: Plastic sleeve around wheel tool (Read 8161 times)