Late

Hey all! Anyone change out the starter on their e550 Rwd?
Was looking for a how-to online but most seem to be for 4matic showing the starter on the drivers side? Ours is on the passenger side, no?
Any tips or helpful links on how to replace it would be appreciated, going to be doing it next weekend if the weather cooperates.

Thanks all!

Chevota

No bites I see. Well, I'm pretty sure it's on the left side, and I don't see why they would make a different block for AWD vs RWD and move the starter, so I'm betting left (driver in US). Either way it should be easy to spot once you're under it.
My 2016 E550 RWD is on the right side, but different motor. It's so small and tucked in there so well I didn't even notice it the first couple times I was under there poking around.

Don't forget to take pix with thoughts n gripes to post for the next guy with the same question

Late

haha darn was really hoping it was on the passenger side. I saw it on the right side with the clk 550's and those had the m273, will definitely report back when done. Have to do it in my driveway with a jack and stands.... should be fun!

Late

Whelp, I gave it a shot... Can confirm the starter is on the passenger side of the vehicle. decent how-to in the link below:

https://www.mercedesmedic.com/starte...-the-easy-way/

I Was able to get the bottom bolt off but the top bolt is impossible with the tools have on my back with a jack lifting the car. The problem is there is a metal bracket attached to the starter bolts that holds a wire harness for some connections going down to the transmission and i wasn't able to work around it to get to the top bolt. Maybe with a super long handled ratchet and a prybar to get the bracket and wires out of the way. Car really needs to be up on a lift or at least on ramps to have a shot at doing the replacement. Was hoping a few smacks with the hammer would let me get it to start so i could drive it on some ramps but i wasn't that lucky... we'll see if the local shop is willing to give it a go this week. So Annoyed..

Late

Another good video for getting it back in place. Again i don't think you need to remove anything like he did with taking down the steering rack for the 550 motor but I cant be sure. You can see the bracket at 9:40 that i'm talking about. That whole thing is completely blocking the top bolt and it looks like it uses the top bolt as a 2nd mounting point. Really dumb design, if it only used the bottom bolt it would have been so easy.

Chevota

Probably need a long-*** extension(s)? I have a few, 18" on down to ~1". Sometimes it's the only way and that top bolt looks like one.
I say take another stab at it. Extensions and what not are cheap compared to mechanics.

Hope you don't get under it with just the jack. I have two good stories about that....
I also no longer get under a car with cheap jack stands, and even if good ones I also have the jack under there, or a wheel or something. I ended up making wood ramps for my car. The crap plastic ones they sell seem worse than a cheap stand, and hollow wood ramps like some people make just seem too iffy to me. So mine are solid wood made from 2x12's. Plus regular ramps won't work anyway, too steep and they hit the car before the tire. Fyi my 2cents.
I then use the E brake and a block or brick under at least one rear tire.

Late

O yea Have to be very carfeul working in the driveway. Local mechanic did it for me today. He said he did unbolt the exhaust from the manifold to get better access but could have squeezed it out without needing to.