OK, made a DIY repair to the worm gear on the odometer (will post details in another thread...), installed a new speedometer cable and reinstalled the instrument gauge cluster. However, I'm having trouble installing the rubber grommet on the speedo cable properly into the firewall. I'm thinking of lubing it with vaseline so that it will slip easier into place. Anyone ever deal with this problem and if so possible solutions? (1984 300DT).

I'd be afraid of vaseline eating the rubber over time. I would probably use a water-based lube like K-Y jelly.

Just try to make it a different shopping trip from the one where you buy whipped cream, cucumbers and bungee cords

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

yes, people have and have posted about it..
I would not use vaseline... which is petroleum..
I would shoot it with some silicone spray myself...

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

X2 on the Silicone spray. It make is slippery enough to pop into the hole.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

That is a PITA. I remember doing it last year. I used that silicone based SuperLube and it went right in. I wiped off the residual after it was in there.

__________________
AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Final thoughts on the speedometer cable replacement. It didn't go well due to a number of issues. I was rushing through it so that the car would be ready to roll today. Rushing through anything may cause one to screw up the works......

Mistake Number One: I connected both ends of the cable; transmission end and speedometer end. This does not give the cable enough play to allow easy seating of the rubber grommet which sits in the hole in the firewall. finally disconnected the speedometer end of the cable and VOILA! easy install of the rubber grommet into the fire wall (had I done this FIRST, I would have saved myself over two hours of frustration.....).

Mistake Number Two: Because I connected the cable end to the speedometer, I inadvertentlly pulled the cable through the fire wall several times which made tiny cuts into the cable (ouch!). I wrapped the cut areas in duct tape which should protect it from now on. next time I do this repair, I will duct tape the entire section that enters the firewall PRIOR to threading the cable.

Took the car for a test drive, odometer works (I'll outline my fix of this on another thread), speedo looks good though the needle shakes slightly, I am going to place the speedo end of the cable in ATF overnight to see if it will fix this issue..... The A/C is blowing cold now due to replacing the ignition switch on the back of the steering lock. I'm happy but my back isn't feeling so good right now...time to take some Advil.