Thanks for the info. To answer the question about the hinges. Drivers side hinge broke at the one joint. No lube, it simply split one day while opening hood... Thought the force cracked the windshield. The hood shot back that hard. So I undid the spring to eliminate that tension, only prob is that the hood does not want to defy gravity....

I found the part #77 at local Mercedes dealer for under $2.00... will pick it up tomorrow...

might want to sell this 300 SD 1985. Found a 300 TD wagon that more fits my needs.... I am in NJ, close to Easton PA....

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1985 300SD