The expansion valve on a 126 is on the other side. Right above the accelerator pedal and tucked up under the dash. 0 work room would be preferable, in fact I'm pretty sure whoever thought up the system in that car went into hiding from death-threats from frustrated A/C techs. The 2 lower flares came right off on mine. The two on top were a whole 'nother story. Had to remove the side panel off the center console, pull out the carpets, loosen and move the "crash bar" aside. What a *****!

I did get it apart and back together, but man, what a massive PITA.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]