Working on a friends 73 450SE. Heater levers are broken....anyone have replacements? It seems to be binding in the duct linkages....is it a common problem with these models?

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It's a very common problem on US cars that used plastic designed to break on impact (for safety reasons). No so much on non-US models.

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With best regards

Al

Just another example of how stupid some of our "safety" regulations can be. From around 1968 onward, no car dashboards could have "protrusions" upon which an occupant could "impale" him/herself. On a heater control? Or a toggler switch?
No wonder the Germans often had such disdain (the VW diesel scandal is an extreme example) for US regulations...

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Berfinroy in CT
Present vehicles:
1973 300 SEL 4.5
1959 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I
1959 Ford Thunderbird convertible/430
Past vehicles;
1958 Bentley S 1
1976 ex-Max Hoffman 6.9
1970 300SEL 2.8
1958 Jaguar MK IX
1961 Jaguar MK IX
1963 Jaguar E-type factory special roadster
1948 Plymouth woody
1955 Morgan plus 4
1966 Shelby GT350H Mustang

Not going to say 100% that I can but in the next couple of weeks I will be sorting out my air-con and will probably be getting rid of the heater controls. It never gets under 20 centigrade here and the car doesn't have a heater unit fitted only the levers.
Any bits I have I can mail.

picture,? I may have some

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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

Al, this is 17 years old

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

Hopefully TomM (the OP) hasn't checked the forum regularly for 17 years, hoping that one day someone will step up to help him.

But imagine, if he has been waiting, how great he must feel right now.

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

About like this guy maybe, wrench ready:

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- Greg -
1973 220D, The Prodigal Benz
1974 240D

Just because it's 17 years old it doesn't mean it's not a valid question

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With best regards

Al

It looks more likely that I will be removing mine.
Anyone can have them if they pay the postage.