Tools / Advice for Radiator Replacement
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gl450
Tools / Advice for Radiator Replacement
I've just started doing mechanical work on my 2015 GL550. I always thought it would be way too outside my scope of understanding, but then I replaced my rear shocks and found the whole process doable and enjoyable.
I'm now looking at replacing my radiator as it seems I have a leak under the mount on the driver side.
For anyone who has replaced, do you have any key pointers? Any tools that will make my life easier?
When doing the shocks, the hardest part was figuring out how to unclip the stupid damper electronic connection.
Thank you in advance for your input!!
I'm now looking at replacing my radiator as it seems I have a leak under the mount on the driver side.
For anyone who has replaced, do you have any key pointers? Any tools that will make my life easier?
When doing the shocks, the hardest part was figuring out how to unclip the stupid damper electronic connection.
Thank you in advance for your input!!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 303
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From: s.f. bay area
s500 GL450 GL63 Z71XL Yukon 67 396 SS velle 68 Vert Camaro 69 RSSS Vert Camaro 75 Blazer
Ive done it. it was a bit difficult to remove. I found that you need to remove the condenser and radiator both as a unit. I tried to separate them and only remove the radiator but it was a no go. This was not a fun task for me.
Thread Starter
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gl450
As my ac vents keep hissing at me, I suspect I have a an issue with my A/C compressor and am considering tackling that as well. Would evacuating the system first, and tackling everything together make more sense?
Any specific tools that you used to separate connections you'd recommend? Other than metric nuts and torx sets?
Any specific tools that you used to separate connections you'd recommend? Other than metric nuts and torx sets?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 75
From: s.f. bay area
s500 GL450 GL63 Z71XL Yukon 67 396 SS velle 68 Vert Camaro 69 RSSS Vert Camaro 75 Blazer
Well, if you are having issues with your compressor, doing it while the radiator is out is probably a good time. The compressor is pretty difficult to get out as space is very tight. What you will need to do is to remove the hoses that are connected to the compressor at the opposite end. One at the condenser and the high pressure one at the fire wall by the overflow tank. You will not be able to get to the bolts that are at the compressor.
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gl450
Alright I found this thread and these youtube videos. Gonna get some reversible snap ring pliers and give it a go this weekend. Ordered the Nissens 67188. Wish me luck!
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ator-leak.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ator-leak.html
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: New Jersey
GL 450
It wasnt bad, i did mine last summer. I posted some notes, but if i recall.
Disconnecting the ground on the drivers side gave a ton more room
Make sure you reconnect the trans cooler lines very firmly. the clips get weak and really have to be jammed on.
If you heat up the bottom radiator hose in hot water it will soften it enough to go back on much easier, there is very little leverage under there and it is a very tight fit.
I did not have to take the bumper off, or disconnect any of the AC line.
Of course the overflow line broke, the plastic one, I would probably order one of those as well.
It took a few hours going very slowly, including messing with the hoses and taking my time. The longest part was finagling the radiator back in, disconnecting that ground made all the difference.
Overall, very managable.
Disconnecting the ground on the drivers side gave a ton more room
Make sure you reconnect the trans cooler lines very firmly. the clips get weak and really have to be jammed on.
If you heat up the bottom radiator hose in hot water it will soften it enough to go back on much easier, there is very little leverage under there and it is a very tight fit.
I did not have to take the bumper off, or disconnect any of the AC line.
Of course the overflow line broke, the plastic one, I would probably order one of those as well.
It took a few hours going very slowly, including messing with the hoses and taking my time. The longest part was finagling the radiator back in, disconnecting that ground made all the difference.
Overall, very managable.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 255
Likes: 78
From: New Jersey
GL 450
Hose
Either lots of spray lube and work it into the joint with a screw driver. I think the wire clamp piece comes out completely, maybe that will buy some relief.
I think they just get stuck and need to be man handled. Given you are replacing the radiator. Mayne cut the nipper off the radiator so you have more room to work?
I think they just get stuck and need to be man handled. Given you are replacing the radiator. Mayne cut the nipper off the radiator so you have more room to work?
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gl450
Follow up:
I did it, barely. Had to call in help from a buddy who knows cars better than I.
basically I clipping the radiator from the condenser was a cinch. SilverGL had the best advice get some wire cutters and cut off the clips on the old radiator.
The hard part and what makes this a pretty mandatory two person job is the way the bottom clip on the radiator functions to sandwich the condenser in with the radiator. It’s like a j hook that is very difficult to unhook and also difficult to rehook.
I could not have done this solo.
if you are going to attempt solo, you need to vacuum out the refrigerant so that you can pull out the combined radiator and condenser and separate on the bench and put back together on the bench.
apart from that the rest was pretty straight forward.
id definitely recommend to tackle with a solid pair of picks.
On the bright side, she’s up and running again!
I did it, barely. Had to call in help from a buddy who knows cars better than I.
basically I clipping the radiator from the condenser was a cinch. SilverGL had the best advice get some wire cutters and cut off the clips on the old radiator.
The hard part and what makes this a pretty mandatory two person job is the way the bottom clip on the radiator functions to sandwich the condenser in with the radiator. It’s like a j hook that is very difficult to unhook and also difficult to rehook.
I could not have done this solo.
if you are going to attempt solo, you need to vacuum out the refrigerant so that you can pull out the combined radiator and condenser and separate on the bench and put back together on the bench.
apart from that the rest was pretty straight forward.
id definitely recommend to tackle with a solid pair of picks.
On the bright side, she’s up and running again!
