jcd:

We, um, kinda did just a little more dissasembly than that, actually.

The doors, fenders, interior except dash, and windows are out. We finished welding in a "home-made" rear fender tip last night, so will only need to fabricate some odds and ends around the taillights and the trunk floor to finish, then we can start paint prep.

A total resotration, in other words, which is why I could so easily check!

By the way, if anyone else is going to try this, get some trim adhesive -- the rubber boot is glued to the door and doorpost. Sam's will have to be replaced as they have died from old age.

Also, check the vacuum holding ability of the two vacuum tanks under the left front fender -- a small one at the top and a larger one beside the kick panel. The grommet that holds the hose into the tank can go bad, and the tanks themselves can leak. This means that you can lock the car just fine, but may not have vacuum to unlock it later. If the two little check valves are bad, get new generic ones at the auto parts store -- they are much cheaper than the MB parts and last just as long.

The kick plate is glued on, not screwed or snapped, and you must take care in removing it or it will be ruined. They may not be available new anymore.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!