1985 W123 300TD
I have a leak on the drivers side that gets the carpet wet when it rains. The cowl drains are clear and drain well so I suspect it is the original windshield gasket which is dried out and cracked. I ran a hose over the area today and didnt get any water until I wet the sunroof area. I am trying to remove the kick panel behind the emergency brake because the water is coming from behind there and wetting the carpet directly under it. The panel has 2 "rivets" that are on the forward part of the panel. I have pried on them but they wont let go; I'm afraid more force will break the panel. Whats the procedure for removal. I have searched but couldnt find an answer.
Thanks
John

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1985 300TDT
2013 E350 Bluetec

There are 3 plastic caps over the screw heads in the edge closest to the steering wheel.

Look for a slot along one side, put a small flat blade screwdriver in there and carefully pop it out. This reveals the screws.

Those rivets in front are 2 pieces, pry the center out and then the collar will pop out easily.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

I think you are referring to the "knee panel" for lack of a better description. I have had that off many times. I'm trying to figure out how to remove the panel on the side of the car directly adjacent to the drivers foot rest or "dead pedal". It is the one that is behind the emergency brake pedal.

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1985 300TDT
2013 E350 Bluetec

Ok sorry I misunderstood. I never took that one off my 123 when I had it.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Those rivets behind the parking brake pedal stay in place. Although though that panel is in two pieces it comes out all together. No need to take it apart to get it out.

Don't know if the TD is different but the easiest way to remove the W123 coupes' panel is to : Remove both pieces of the under dash cladding, remove the carpet to access the screw securing the panel to the firewall, remove the two bolts holding the bonnet release lever, remove the door sills step trim (not really necessary but it does make it easier when dealing with old plastic) and slide the kick panel towards the rear of the car.

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“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

Thanks Mike, I will try this in the morning. The water is running down behind this panel and seeping out at the bottom, soaking the carpet right next to the dead pedal. I'm hoping I'll get a better view of where it's coming from with the panel removed.

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1985 300TDT
2013 E350 Bluetec

? How did it go ? .

It's necessary to remove the door sill plate because it covers the lower bottom edge of the kick panel .

The main thing is to pull it straight back, no inward movement or you'll break the plastic loop that holds the retaining clip .

I'm betting the sun roof drains are full of dust, someone else here mentioned a snake from Harbor Freight, I use old speedometer cables, very gently .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Been there done that. THe kick panel and 'foot rest' come out as one piece, there is a screw under the carpet holding the foot rest to the floor/firewall. (as described above)
My foot rest shattered and I replaced it with some appropriately bent scrap metal. The water intrusion is most likely the sunroof drain up near the "a" pillar, the water runs down inside the pillar and onto the floor. Several threads on the subject showing varying causes, from rusted out pans and eroded rubber parts to simple clogged drains. Always try the easy stuff 1st ;-) THere are 4 drains in the sunroof, one in each corner that drain out the 4 corner pillars of the roof. Weed wacker line and compressed air followed by gentle water (think a plant watering can) poured into the sun roof pan works a wonder on the drains. The rear drains, to me, are easier to get to from outside. The exit is inside the crome bit about 1/3-1/2 way down the rear pillar.

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1985 300D
The rest:
1957 MGA (comatose)
1965 Falcon (sleeping)
1966 E-100 (rust test in progress)
1976 Ford 3400 D Tractor (workhorse)
1978 Mercury Zephyer (5L playtoy)
1995 Isuzu NPR D (fetcher)
1998 Subaru Legacy (Spare)
2000 Toyota Sienna (School bus)
2008 Toyota Prius (Commuter)