Thinking about tackling changing the accumulators on my 88 420SEL to fix the A/C through the defroster vents problem. I understand that the parts are behind the glove box. When replacing them, do I need a special tool? I saw a website that listed a tool for changing them. Anything else I should look at/for while back there that is A/C related?

Accumulators or actuators?

If the recirc actuators, the ones behind the glove box, are shot, the rest aren't far behind. Search the archives for the pros and cons of rebuilding vs replacing.

www.autoluxmbz.com has a tool to take actuators apart without breaking the retaining tabs. You don't need this tool if you're replacing the actuators.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

yep sounds like a center vent problem. the pod behind the 2 center vents is the one. buth the other 4 should be changed out as well.

i'm doing just that on my 87 this weekend.

__________________
Thanks Much!
Craig

1972 350sl Red/Blk 117k
1988 420sel charcoal/Blk 140k
1987 420sel gold/tan 128k
See My Cars at:http://mysite.verizon.net/res0aytj/index.html

Pound it to fit then Paint it to match!

There is only First Place and Varying degrees of last!

Old age and deceit will overcome Youth and Enthusiasm every time!

Putting the square peg in the round hole is not hard... IF you do it fast enough!

Old enough to know better but stupid enough to do it anyway!

Thanks for the info. Are these things hard to access? How much do they cost if I choose to replace?

They are so hard that the cost is insignificant.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Ouch! Can they be had through Fastlane? Do I have to disassemble the dash for the center ones? Anyone have a diagram?

I have a tech with arms of rubber and remote controlled fingers. He does them without removing the dash. He whined a little this week when he knew there was one to do. Its one of those jobs you know you can do because you did it before but the image in your mind tells you it is impossible. Two hours later he was done.

If I don't remind hm every time he forgets he can do it. I wouldn't of stood a chance even twenty years ago, but I never had his arms or fingers.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

All but the center vent actuator are easy enough to replace if you can work without seeing what your hands are doing. I don't know how pulling the dash makes the center vent one any easier to replace. I have a replacement diaphragm in the center vent actuator of the SDL because I couldn't figure out how it comes off. The lever end looks riveted to whatever it attaches to. Even replacing the diaphragm was a PITA.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

i'm doing this even as we speak. i have mine all visable 5 pcs. i don't see removing the dash is necessary. the one center is behind the center vents themselves and it comes off on a brkt. but no amount of writing is going to completely explain the process. i bought the cd from repairflix and well just not enough info. good but inadequate.

so if u want my 2 cents go here http://www.pindelski.com/ buy the yearly dues something like 30 dollars and you will have one of the finest walk thru with fotos money can buy. 92 fotos with explanations. and the good thing is you'll save $$ on just this job to more than justify the purchase. i've got it on my laptop that's sitting in my front seat for easy reference. thomas even tells you that you need a 5.5mm socket to remove the screws on the cv's bracket. i'm trying the diaphragm replacement method over buying new pods. i may end up buying all new pods but i wanted to see if it could be done as i have been told.

and Steve is right. you need to be able to bend your arms and hands backwards cause there is no easy path.

now picture this i'm better than 6-1 and i weigh 350 lbs and i am way over 50 way way over. try getting that turned sideways to pull those little clips off the pods without breaking the little tips off. not a pretty picture.

good luck

__________________
Thanks Much!
Craig

1972 350sl Red/Blk 117k
1988 420sel charcoal/Blk 140k
1987 420sel gold/tan 128k
See My Cars at:http://mysite.verizon.net/res0aytj/index.html

Pound it to fit then Paint it to match!

There is only First Place and Varying degrees of last!

Old age and deceit will overcome Youth and Enthusiasm every time!

Putting the square peg in the round hole is not hard... IF you do it fast enough!

Old enough to know better but stupid enough to do it anyway!

Thanks guys. I will have to get those flex joints installed n my arms after all..........