This weekend I plan to remove the glove box in hopes of opening the center vents. I have no idea if this is going to work as my hands are the size of meat-hooks and my understanding is that small hands are a big plus for doing this job.

Maybe I'll be able to convince my wife to let me "borrow her hands."

I looked at the glove box today and it's got a huge crack right in the center. I don't keep anything heavy in there so I HOPE that the crack does not get bigger, but my concern is that it's bound to get bigger - much bigger - while being removed and replaced.

Has anyone successfully repaired a busted glove box? If so, how? If not, any sources for this part? I looked on Ebay with no success and I fear this might be hard to come by.

If the glovebox in a coupe is the same as in a sedan it's an easy job. Do you really need to replace it? Just glue it.
The glovebox is held in place by little plastic pins around the opening. Use a knife or a small screwdriver to carefully lift the top of those pins, then they come out.
What do you mean by 'opening the center vents'? Do you need to replace the vacuum element? Good luck with that! Although some people say it's impossible without taking the dash out, I did it anyway, and it was painful. With 'hands of the size of meat-hooks', however, you better ask your wife for a hand...

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'99 S420, 155k
'91 VW Vanagon GL, 150k
'85 VW Vanagon GL, 120k
'82 VW Westy, aircooled, 165k

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123Evaporator

Picture 53-55 shows how to remove the glove box interior.

Picture 68 and 75 shows what your trying to get at.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Dave:



&^$#@! you are a braver man than I!

No way am I taking the dash out of the car. Would love to get it fixed "right," but uh - uh. This is my daily driver and I need the car.

IF (note capital "IF") I am able to replace the vacuum element by going in through the glove box I will do so, but I am not optimistic. Assuming I cannot, I have some instructions on a boot-leg fix to force open the center vents and leave them open. Some people apparently jam them open during the summer and then close them up during the winter.

Back "on topic" - airbus - do you think that gorilla glue will glue my glovebox back together? It's cracked front-to back all the way from front to back on the bottom and a couple inches up the back - surprised it hasn't busted into two pieces yet, but like I said, I avoid putting anything heavy in there.

mrhills0146, gorilla glue will do. I love that stuff!

dmorrison, this is impressive! Great job on the pics!

__________________
'99 S420, 155k
'91 VW Vanagon GL, 150k
'85 VW Vanagon GL, 120k
'82 VW Westy, aircooled, 165k

If you have the box out just glue a patch/brace on the back. you can use either stiff plastic or aluminum sheet metal

Epoxy and fiberglass cloth is the quickest and strongest fix for the box. Should be available at your local hardware store.
I've wedged center vents open with a piece of flat aluminum stock stuck down the vent and bent to hook over the lip. No need to remove it in winter as far as I can see.

Kerry

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Dash removal really isn't that hard. I had mine out and back in, in less than a day with a helping hand. I also relaced the diphragms in the vac pods. One thing I did that really helped me out when I took it out of my car was to go to the junkyard and pull one out of a junkyard dog. That way you and damage their car while you learn. Then you are an expert when pulling yours out. It makes things go much faster and easier.

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I dunno man, I got meaty hands and considered getting it out. Time and patience. Air compressors make people lazy.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

That is one part that you will find in abundance in a junk yard with 300Ds. With regards to the center vents, find a way to open up the center vent door and epoxy glue the hinge. I used an old broomstick latched against the backrest of the seat. When you remove the glove box, you will see the hinge.
Leave it overnight. Dont forget to plug the vacuum hoses. You can also unplug the electrical connector to the center vent valve.

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'85 300D Cal 280,000 miles
'14 GLK 350 60000 miles