So a few years ago I tried this job, but just could not get the coil clips loose. After doing some research, this is a way I was able to do all 8 without breaking anything important


Tools needed. Long pliers for the boots, E8 socket, swivel, pick, small mallet and electronic cleaner spray and straws from spray



Loosen the coils and pull them straight out towards you. The boots might stay behind. That's fine. Use the pliers to get the boots out. Some will break, but you will have new ones anyway, so it doesn't matter



Now use the pick and pull back the sides of the clips. Carefully. Then spray some of the cleaner in there. These things were so stuck, and I do think the cleaner helped get them loose







Now for the tricky part. If you pull back the white tab and push the tab down you will see a small black tab touching the coil. Press the pick under the tab to lift it up. Again, carefully.



Then use either a toothpick or spray nozzles and press them in under the tab. I like the nozzle straws because they don't break as easily as toothpicks and they wont splinter.



Try to wiggle the connectors free now. In my case they were not budging. Now for the small mallet. Hold the coil and tap the connector lightly where the straws go in. You might bend or break them. I keep a stash of these nozzles when the cans are empty.
If you are unlucky, you might break a connector, or like in this case the connector comes apart. In this case I had to break the coil part to get the connector out, but seeing I am replacing the coils, that was not a problem.
In the end got all eight loose and didn't break any of the connectors. The one that came apart, I just pushed back in place. Might replace the connector later on.

 

Mercedes wiring connectors can be fiendishly hard to get loose. The ones on my Porsches and other cars were plenty secure but ten times easier to get apart!

When I broke one of the coil wire connectors on my 2016 M278 I just put a tiny dot of ABS cement where it joins to the coil. Kept it securely in place without the locking tab and should enable the next owner to get it apart again when needed.

 

I looked at the needed tools list and saw a mallet! 😳

 

I appreciate your skill and bravery as well
Honestly, I have seen a tool which I have never seen it before lol (the long nose thing )
Good job
Happy Driving

 

Just search for 'Crescent X2 Straight, Long Nose, Dual-Material Pliers'
When you need the extra length...
Its the only way I found to get those boots out. Just rip them out, if they break, take out the pieces. You are going to replace them anyway.

 

Great Job!