I've had quite a few diesel Mercedes over the years, and normally a 13mm socket removes the 2 nuts holding the housing cap, and the filter has a nice curved handle to pull it up and remove it. (all other's pre 1996 I have seen)

The 1999 has a plastic cap and a plastic shaft. The filter also has no metal on it. And it won't come off the shaft! Does anyone else know what I'm talking about?

I've pulled, twisted, screwed, everything...

The cap comes out, with the filter stuck on the plastic shaft attached to it.

What am I doing wrong here?

Thanks

 

Just wanted to let everyone know I got it. The shaft snaps into the cap with unbelievable force. I just replaced the intake manifold (same one just had it off) after changing out the glow plugs and changing the oil was the most complicated part. Besides trying to hook up the EGR pipe clamp.