W123 Grill Hood Lever - Disintegrated!
 

Hey all,

This is my first, and I imagine, not my last, technical SOS posting.

Just bought an '82 240D yesterday, cleaning it up and mentally preparing for a valve adjustment (I'm kind of a dolt around cars - got this one to help that).

So. . .here's the issue. I went to open the hood and have a look around. At the owner's place all went well and we popped it on a few occasions. My first time home the release lever inside did its job and released. On the grill however, the little lever pretty much disintegrated as soon as I touched it. I heard a pin or something fall inside. The lever now is free to wander as it pleases and I can't get the hood open!! Any of you guys ever experience this? Any ideas of how I can pop the hood and make this body repair?

Thanks.
Tom

Tom, the part you need is called a hood release strap. It's cheap, less than $8. Go to the top of this page and click on "Buy Parts". You can find it by entering your cars year then model then click on "body mechanical and trim" then click on "hood release strap". or just enter in the part number in the "Parts we stock" box. It is part number O2032-16315. You could also go to a dealer to get one. In the mean time, to open the hood, use a coat hanger to hook the part that the strap was attached to and pull it. Good luck.

O2032-16315 Hood Release Strap IN STOCK $7.84
 

picture of Hood Release Strap
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/image.jsp?title=Hood%20Release%20Strap&url=http%3A//img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/O203216315OES.JPG


PART NUMBER SEARCH RESULTS WITH PRICES
Vehicle 1982 Mercedes Benz 240D
Part: Hood Release Strap
Note: For Hood Safety Hook
O2032-16315 Hood Release Strap IN STOCK $7.84


http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1US0YZ0AN1UT17KV3J&year=1982&make=MB&model=240-D-002&category=All&part=Hood+Release+Strap

Another thing. If your unable to get to it with a coat hanger get a hammer and smash the plastic part of the grille in (be careful with the chrome part around the outside and for the radiator and A/C condenser). You can then reach in with your hand to open it. You can get the plastic and chrome strips pretty cheaply. If your pull strap has disintegrated your grille is probably next anyway and a new grille will probably make your car look better cosmetically.

Are you serious?? A flashlight and a coathanger did the trick. Replaced the nut 'n bolt and have been pulling the strap confidently ever since.

Thanks for your suggestions all.

T

You did right -it's not easy but do-able with a coat hanger. Those parts are not that cheap.

3 B's
 

Nearly missed the cars.

Actually yes. Why toil with a flashlight and coathanger when the grill likely is old and ratty and needs to be replaced anyway.