W124 footwell vacuum pod replacement - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

AlexTheSeal · #1 08-05-2004, 11:15 PM

I've been working on the ACC on my '87 300D. Tested the lines at the 7-port manifold behind the glovebox with my trusty MityVac, then followed the lines back, testing as I went, and found that (knock on wood) the only bad actuator pods are the defrost pod and the driver's-side footwell pod. I changed the defrost pod just fine, but how the heck do I get the footwell pod out?

I pulled the ACC panel, and I can see it in there. I figured out how to access the plastic nubbin that holds the lever to the vent flap by pushing in the flap from the footwell itself. But the pod seems to be held tight to its bracket no matter how I twist or pry at it, and there isn't any way to see what on the left side is actually holding it in. Help! I'm so close to the holy grail of correctly functioning ACC!

AlexTheSeal · #2 08-07-2004, 01:00 PM

Anyone?

Am I just going to have to pull the whole dash after all?

compress ignite · #3 08-07-2004, 03:13 PM

on vehicles up to 8 of '86 there were two (left + right)
Directions as follows:
control unit ...remove.
lateral covering on center console left or right...remove.
When replacing the left vacuum element ...remove air duct for rear
passenger compartment.
When removing left vacuum element... remove strut
Vacuum line on element...remove
Actuation rod on lever...press off
3 locks... press off
In reverse order...install , mounting the locks with rubber washers

on vehicles as of 9 of '86 (only one actuator)
Directions as follows:
control unit ...remove
Vacumm line ...pull off
Actuation rod on lever...press off
Vacuum element from holder ...pull off
In reverse order ...install

AlexTheSeal · #4 08-07-2004, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by compress ignite
lateral covering on center console left or right...remove.
When replacing the left vacuum element ...remove air duct for rear
passenger compartment.
When removing left vacuum element... remove strut

OK, the lines I've quoted here are the steps I'm having trouble with. It seems like if I could get the interior-color covers on the sides of the console off, the rest would be easy, but I can't see how to do that without first pulling the whole dash. (I have the older style with two round pods, BTW.)

#5 08-07-2004, 06:35 PM

Is this the white flat one that is behind the Climate Control panel? Mine is an '88 and that's the one that is on mine.

If so, once the lever is disconnected and the vacuum line is disconnected, you just have slide it rearward there is a piece at the top and bottom that go into slots.

It sounds like you're talking about the earlier model with the pod forward and to one side.

Good luck,

AlexTheSeal · #6 08-07-2004, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LarryBible
Is this the white flat one that is behind the Climate Control panel? Mine is an '88 and that's the one that is on mine.

If so, once the lever is disconnected and the vacuum line is disconnected, you just have slide it rearward there is a piece at the top and bottom that go into slots.

Sounds really easy, Larry, except...

Quote:

It sounds like you're talking about the earlier model with the pod forward and to one side.

Yup, mine's an early '87 with two separate pods (one for each footwell flap, run off a Y on the line from the 7-port manifold). They are not attached by "tabs and slots" like the defrost pod behind the glovebox, but by what look like plastic nuts pressed on to studs at one end of the pod. The problem is that there is nowhere near enough clearance between the "nut/stud side" of each pod and the body-color panel at the side of the console to get a screwdriver or pliers in there and pry off the nuts.

speedy300Dturbo · #7 08-08-2004, 03:42 AM

It is MUCH easier if you remove the side footwell carpeting. The service manual recommends making a metal slim-jim type tool to lever out the carpeting. It's a bit hard to explain, so you can just remove the entire center console. Remove the carpeting in the storage tray, remove the sunk screw, and all the wood trim and switches. Remove the two upside-down nuts at the top of the console. The side carpets should come out pretty easily now.

AlexTheSeal · #8 08-11-2004, 11:45 PM

I did it!!! I only had to loosen the center console and slide it towards the back of the car about an inch---i.e. without undoing the radio and all the switches (whew!)---to be able to pull the carpet in the side of the footwell. Had to pull the molded foam trim piece under the steering wheel, too, but that was comparatively easy.

I still didn't have much room to work, and so there was a lot of swearing and scraped knuckles, but I finally got the old vacuum pod out and the new one in. I hate those little white plastic "nuts". I had to break off the studs with needle-nose pliers to get the old pod out, and all the nuts (of course!) fell down into the bowels of the console, never to be seen again.

I decided to fix the new pod in place with a dab of epoxy instead, just enough between its body and the metal bracket to hold it in place (without interfering with the movement of the arm). I figure if the epoxy holds, great; if it doesn't hold, I can easily get at the pod through the climate control panel area next time and attach it in some more secure way; and if it holds until the next time the pod fails, I should also be able to remove it from the front just by prying between the pod body and the bracket. Anybody see any problems with this fix?