Trunk & Deck Lid Hinge

[jaybutter]

I am working on a 1980 450SL (w107) right side trunk and top storage
deck lid hinge problem. The deck lid hinge is very stiff on the hinge
pin. I removed the front wall of the trunk to gain access to the pin
and am soaking it with liquid wrench but so far it has not freed up
much. My question is, can you remove the pin without taking out the
fuel tank? The stiff pin seems to be a long-term problem because the
deck lid hinge arm was broken at its weld, repaired (by a previous
owner) and has failed again. The arm is fabricated from two parts,
welded together. It will be difficult to weld again in place, but it
looks very difficult to remove. Has anyone dealt with this problem? I
would sure like your input as how to approach this repair!

Thanks!

[donbryce]

(I responded to this over in the tech forum) Short answer is you might have to remove the fuel tank to remove all of the hinge assembly and torsion bars, but maybe not if you can service the problem with them still on the car.