Thanks, Tom, we've tried that. We almost took the two on the left out completely, but it had taken so long to get them in we couldn't risk the time -- loosing the light. (Gotta get that garage built!)

We've managed to get three in -- the right rear finally caught -- but the front right just wasn't going to work, no matter what we did. We pulled the clip off and re-squared the nut in the "holder", but that still wasn't enough to get us there.

So we shoved and pushed and grunted and cussed enough to drop a longer, smaller bolt through the holes, and tightened the other bolts. I've got to go see a friend who owns a body shop tomorrow in Dallas, so I'll ask him if he's got any tricks to solve the problem. When I see what he does, if there IS a trick, I'll post it, although it appears that we're the first at least to post the problem. Maybe we just need a really fat guy to sit in the seat and splay the frame a bit with his weight.....!

I'll let you know.

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Anthracite 1980 300D -- 64k original miles with a new engine, on the road again!
Silver 300D -- second owner, Sunny's old baby, Ilse, 210 miles,
Having to thin the herd….
Silver 1983 300SD -- second owner, 325k miles
Gold 1981 300D -- well-traveled, solid little car
Beige 1984 300D -- 292k miles, grease machine, parting out
Seafoam green 1981 300SD -- 250k, windshield frame damage
too many assorted w123 & w126 cars, parts cars, and extras