Okay, I'm having blower issues, and seeing as I can get it to kick in when I hit it, but it then slowly stops, I'm thinking brushes.


The problem this newbie (but hopefully someday an experienced) mechanic is how to remove the blower motor? I can see it is inside some kind of a black plastic case, and there are three nuts on the top metal plate closest to the dash. Removing those three nuts seem to be the key, but one of them seems pretty much inaccessible, as there are several items crammed up against it.

The only other thing I see is to separate the black casing by removing the clips.


What's the correct way to do this? It's funnny.....seems like an embarassing thing to post about, but that gets overweighed by the frustration of doing a search and seeing posts where people "removed it in 15 minutes over lunch".

__________________
79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

I do not have the 1980 300SD.
But.. I just did this today on my 1983 300SD
and last week on my 1980 300D.
I am doing brushes on both.

It has to be very similar. And yes, 15 minutes.

Remove passenger side lower panel under dash.
3 screws below glove box (maybe under hidden caps).
Right side screw, might be a plastic pull out piece.
Left side screw, either 8 mm hex or screw head.

Lower the panel (you probably got all this per your description of layout).

Either your blower motor is visible and can be dropped with three phillips screws and one electrical connector unplugged.
Or, you need to open the case with maybe 4 phillips screws,
two clips at the back which do pop off. (mine came off when I
pulled down on the case after getting out screws).
And then three more philips screws holding in the motor.
(the 1983 300SD had the later arrangement).

It something seems inaccessible then it probabyl is not it.
I did this with a #2 6 inch philips screwdriver. Nothing more.

__________________
80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

I can't get to the other mounting screw...I'm going to have to remove the glove compartment.

__________________
79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

Motors out....now what's the best way to disassemble it? Take the clip off the plastic shroud and slide it off? Seems to be pretty tight on there, don't want to break anything....

__________________
79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

Too late. Taking the clip off the plastic shroud, I broke a couple of the teeth.

But I still can't get the plastic fan off the blower motor. I even tried hammering on the shaft while supporting the fan, and no luck yet.


%$$%# %**&(^$

__________________
79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

I think a press for the fan is better, let's see if anyone agrees.
And because I do not have a press, I just went after the brushes
with the fan on.

There were a couple threads that described removing the brushes,
1. One guy bent the tabs holding the back of the motor and pull the back off.
2. Another thread described bending the brass tabs and removing the whole brush holder with spring.

The brass was softer and easier to do, so I did that after not succeeding on
number one above. I worry that the softer brass may break eventually.

__________________
80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250