This afternoon I was replacing my old grill (bad chrome) with another that is way better.....even painted the grey plastic a nice satin black and installed new chrome trim strips......but #^&*)(*%$#(# I broke the hood star.....at least I have unlatched it somehow......the inner strongback that holds the spring.......all I did was to firmly grasp the spring clip, and pull "energetically" down and turned it left.....as the manual says......and the inner spring clip came loose from it's place......now I can't get the %**%$#@^() thing to go back together......

Is there a method to re-attach the spring strongback to it's perch?? Or maybe some method of disassembly......whatever.....is it possible to fix, if so how.....

Thanx Guys
SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

It's hard to do but make sure it's in the correct alignment and there should be a half centimeter pin that holds the spring to the main bracket. When installing, install from the top and once it is seated properly, twist the U shape pin-brace so that it will snap into place.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

Those stars can be quite stubborn sometimes, but it sounds like you're on the right track, I think when I had put mine back together, I wound up hooking one end of the bracket in then using pliers to pull the other side in and twist, kinda dangerous if it slips but it worked.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

And if you do end up needing a new one, they're only around $20 from the dealer.

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Dale

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...MG_2277sig.jpg

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo -155k
2000 E430 - 103k
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel 4x4 - 11k
2014 VW Passat TDI SE - 7k Bro's Diesel
2006 E320 CDI - 128k Pop's Benz

Pre-glow - A moment of silence in honor of Rudolph Diesel

Agreed, not very expensive new, just make sure to properly install. I destroyed a new one. I understand a bear to realign spring,clips etc.

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83 SD

84 CD

I went to town yesterday, passed by Astorg MB in Parkersburg, WV, told them that I had broken the most important part of the car........new one cost $33.00.....but they sent a Service Tech out to the car to install it......the Parts Guy said that most are destroyed by removing them......and that there is no "special' MB tool involved, but is possible to repair.......I guess it you screw your mouth up just right.......

SB

__________________

Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

Wow, that's pretty cool that they sent a guy out to put it on,lol.

I was wrong on my earlier post too. I just rebuilt another grille yesterday afternoon, I found out the easiest way was to grasp the top of the locking bracket with some lineman's pliers, squat or sit down and lay the grille in your lap face down, star pointed away from you, pull back on the bracket and twist counterclockwise to remove, before releasing the bracket make sure you get the ears squeezed on top of the landings/keys in the upper part. Installation is the exact reverse, had it in and out in less than a minute.
(For anyone else's future need to do this)

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale