If you figure out how to release the rivet at the end of the lever then reattach the lever, please share how to do it.

Short of that, you have to replace the diaphragm without removing the pod from the car.

Mind I've only seen the set-up in my 87 SDL. Maybe it was an oddball repair prior to my ownership.

Sixto
87 300D

Were you able to replace that diaphragm with the back half of the pod still in the car?

What retains these pods to the HVAC box anyway?

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Where could a guy get his hands on these pods? I've searched online but haven't come up with anything.

I have a 1982 300sd and the AC only comes out of the defroster. Its starting to get really hot here in SOCAL, so I'm going to replace them when I obtain enough parts and info on how to do it.

Also, is there a cd or dvd for doing this job? That sounds very helpful. Any idea where I could get the it?
Thanks,
-Chris

Call 888-333-4642 Ask for Phil. Tell him I sent you..............

Got it squared away boys and girls, the two pods on top of the heater box were bad. Three of the four diaphragms failed. Now I have the air on my face versus the windshield.

So what can be done about the center pod that's behind the climate unit?

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Unless you can remove the rear section and replace the diaphragm in-situ, I do believe that you're looking at a dash removal.

Well crap.

I guess I'll just leave it open (pod open and spring out) and manually close the main vents accordingly.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Dash Removal isn't too bad. I did it in under 3 hours. The re-install takes longer. I'm 8 hours into it and not done yet. I'm considering re-opening mine because I have an intermitted DEFROST vent air issue when using the front dash AC setting. I still think this is an electrical issue though --- maybe reman ACC. UGH.

__________________
daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

I'm not sure if the SDL is the same as my SD (both are 126's), but I was able to detach the rod, coming from the pod assembly, at the flap. It is held by a clip identical to the defrost pod (which is much more visible and to help you understand how it releases). Once you remove the 4 small screws holding the small panel you can see where it attaches to the flap. I found hemostats to be my best friends in this job. Also, plugging the lower area with rags helps to keep small hardware from disappearing into the console abyss.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Looks like a project for the fall when it's not 900°F out during the daylight.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Great for holding all sorts of things.

Careful, you're a family man now.......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

He could be, but I am certainly not.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I THINK I may have discovered a way to replace that center pod with most of the dash in the car. Just knee bolsters removed.

My only question on it, what retains the black part of the pod to the heater case?

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]