My AC was getting lazy on hot days in my '94 Aero. It would cool the car, and then seem to take a long time to cycle back on. What I think was happening is described in the attached link from a British Saab link:

http://www.saab9000.com/procedures/v...rconclutch.php

My air gap was about 0.032". My clutch had one washer/spacer and I removed it. It did not want to come out, and I had to make small hook with the wire form a paper clip to grab it. The clutch itself didn't want to come off the splined shaft either, but I was able to work it off with a screwdriver. In order to get the central allen head screw off, I engaged the clutch by applying 12V directly to it, which held it in place while I broke it loose. The screw wasn't on very tight.

It's been working all day today, and I think my lazy AC problem is actually fixed.

As I now have have a '97 C280 and also read and post on this bulletin board, I though you Mercedes guy would be interested.