Timing chain tensioner

[Gregory Beacock]

Hello everyone,
While making a start on a timing chain replacement to my C 220 (651). I've found that there is a bracket/heat shield obscuring access to the chain tensioner. This heat shield/bracket has three fixing points, two under the exhaust manifold and one lower down under the dpf, all awkward to get too.
The bracket part of the heat shield which supports the turbo vacuum pipe is positioned right in front of the chain tensioner. I'm tempted to bend this down, I know it's not the right way of doing things. I'd be grateful for any suggestions.
(Pics attached)

 

[PhilK]

Just done the head gasket and I note the tensioner was a little more annoying that it needs to be. To answer your first point, yes bending brackets works, as long as you are careful and only bend as far as you need. My second take away is that you need a 27mm HEX socket, BI-Hex just would not cut it for this job and was starting to round the edges off on the tensioner, Your picture is a little different to my e class, but that shield with the part number on should be easily removable and it looks like that bracket may come off with it anyway.

Good luck (if I'm not already too late.)