W123 front speaker cover removal.. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

unkl300d · #1 01-22-2012, 10:47 PM

Hello, I did search tha archives but did not find the answer.

On my 1979 300D, the passenger side front (dash) speaker cover only has one retaining screw.

Easy enough to remove.

But there is what looks like a square insert on the left middle side of that cover with what seems like an attached plastic cylinder that drops into the speaker cavity.

I can't figure out how to either release the square insert or else remove the cover and cylindrical (footing?).

I can move the cover off the side and somewhat off the back sides but that cylindrical plastic does not allow me to lift the cover to remove.

I don't want to force it and mess it up nor remove with force only to have a hard time re-installing.

Can anybody help with insight on how to remove that cover?

Thanks

Yak · #2 01-23-2012, 08:32 PM

A square insert on the left side of the pax grill that connects to something?

I don't recall anything like that on my '83 and I don't think the dashes changed that much. Attached is a pic of the passenger side with the grill removed. There's a squarish tab on the right side, but that's all I recall.

Have you considered removing the glove box to get better access?

unkl300d · #3 01-23-2012, 09:08 PM

Thanks for the response.

I will try to post a picture soon.

My car was bought in Germany and shipped over to California back in 1979.

Maybe the slight difference can thus be explained? But I doubt it.

Maybe early W123 had a slight difference?

I'll try to get a pic soon.

unkl300d · #4 01-24-2012, 04:36 PM

OK here are the pictures.

The cylindrical thing has "VDO made in Germany" stamped on the side.

It looks like an air sensor intake of sorts.

Top side pics show the square inset I was describing.

So I can't remove the speaker grill without figuring out how to release the quasi air vent tube.

It is on the left side of the passenger side dash speaker.

Note metal grill over speaker.

Any ideas how to manage this?

Yak · #5 01-24-2012, 08:16 PM

In pic three it looks like the insert is removable or a separate part from the grill, so it might be possible to unsnap it.

I'd remove the glove box liner and see if you can tell what it's connected to.

PeachPartsWiki: Replacing the A/C Evaporator

Pics 53-55, and 64-66 show that area in the W123.

Kyle Blackmore · #6 01-25-2012, 01:00 AM

Unkl300d, that's the interior cabin temp sensor, you can see the 2 clips that hold it on the 2 pins under the grille. Get a small screwdriver under them and work them loose, side to side. They're available in the jobbers who have body shop trim supplies, so don't worry if you lose them down in the dash. There's a hose and wiring for the sensor that goes along the side of the glove box.
If you have the FSM, this is under Section 83-640 in the auto climate control.
The foam tubing is usually brittle, you can replace it with a bit of foam pipe insulation.

unkl300d · #7 01-25-2012, 02:29 PM

Thanks Yak and Kyle, that helps.

Kyle, I did see those clips but was not sure about their detachment w/o breaking something.

In fact now I remember in the past having the glove box out in order to remove the A/C solenoid or something like that, that is located back there.
My KLIMA was rusted in the ON position and draining the battery. So I had to remove that circuit board component and later I bypassed the KLIMA for the manual heater set up. (my A/C is not really functional now.)
That foam tube was dust.

Thanks again !!

Kyle Blackmore · #8 01-25-2012, 02:59 PM

Hi Unkl300d,
I think if you remove the glove box you can unplug the sensor and then pull the speaker grille w/o removing the sensor from the grille.

unkl300d · #9 01-26-2012, 12:09 AM

OK that's a plan. The clips look like they are attached over small plastic posts and replacing the clip looks like a patience taxing ordeal.. possibly !!!

Thanks again.

unkl300d · #10 03-08-2012, 09:23 PM

OK finally removed glove compartment liner and was able to handle the cabin temp device.

Removed the retaing pins and tried to remove the speaker grill cover.

I could not get the thing to come loose from under the dash, no matter how many angles I tried etc.

Then I began to play with the radio to make sure nothing around the speaker was making noise.
By accident I moved the fader control and I heard that wicked noise that sounded like a blown speaker. (never had that problem before).

Realized the possible problem source, now recalling the many threads on this subject, and cleaned that 'wheel' switch.

Noise gone now and evidently the speaker was good all along.

phew.

Thanks for your help.

unkl300d · #11 04-19-2013, 01:43 AM

OH well, the passenger side dash speaker began to give me problems.

So I replaced both with Boston Acoustics.

Front speaker suggestions 83 240d

see post #29