I have the dash out of my 84 300sd and I cannot seem to get a bad vacuum pod out.. It is next to the defrost vacuum pod ( kinda to the left and lower).. Anyone know how to get this one out.. it doesnt hold a vacuum.... It wont twist in either direction.. :-(


Also, There was post on this site that showed how to diagnose the vacuum switch over valve thing next to the passenger front footwell... I couldnt find that post for the life of me! anyone have a link to it?

Thanks

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I believe the pod you are talking about is the "center" pod. To get it to turn and remove, you will need to unhook it from the flap it controls.

(precaution: stuff some rags, etc. in the lower areas to keep hardware from disappearing into the abyss. Don't ask me how I know this!)

You will need to remove the panel the rod feeds through, held by four small screws. Once removed, you can barely see the end of the rod and where it attaches to the flap. Observe the clip that holds the end of the defrost rod, this is the same type of clip for the center pod. Once it's unclipped from the rod shaft, it will swing and release the rod end. After the end is released, you should be able to turn and unlock the pod.

You will be working in a very small area and the best tools I relied on were a pair of hemostats and some strong, but fine, steel wire for reassembly. Out of all the pods, the center pod is the most difficult and will certainly try your patience. You will feel like a mechanical "surgeon" but once it's repaired, you will then be able to have air conditioning from the center vents.

Regarding the vacuum switchover valves, I'm not familiar with the post you referred to. They are Defrost/Footwell/Center/Diverter/Fresh-Recirc (2) from top to bottom. You have a red-labeled, main "feeder" coming in to one side of all the valves and the other side goes out to the different pods.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )