I've started work replacing the rubber diaphragms (George Murphy has them - (865) 482-9175, internet: perfanalysis@comcast.net) in the vacuum pods for the climate control system and have run into a problem when trying to replace the pod for the diverter flap. This is the one above and to the right of the throttle pedal, behind the carpet panel on the driver's side of the transmission tunnel.

The area is cramped and I'm not able to grip the pod tightly enough to turn it to get the three tabs to lock the pod back into its bracket.

Question: Is there a special socket that fits onto the bottom of the pod (with the vacuum line removed) that allows it to be turned and latched onto the bracket? Or some kind of strap wrench that will grip the pod?

Also, concerning the two pods above and behind the glove/map pocket that have two diaphragms and two vacuum lines to each, has anyone found it impossible to remove the bottom diaphragm from the center piston assembly in the mid-section? There is a black plastic cap that fits inside the center of the bottom diaphragm that's held tight against the center piston assembly. So it seems that the bottom diaphragm in these two pods cannot be replaced - only the top one can be changed?

My W126 is a 1982 diesel - maybe these were built with these partially unrepairable dual diaphragm pods?

For now I've got the levers moved by these pods taped in position to give the airflow I want and the vacuum lines capped.

Any comments, lessons learned, or secrets about repair of these pods will be appreciated.

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Respect, protect, and maintain complex systems - whether natural or of German design, to benefit from their full potential.

1982 300SD W126.120 with an OM617.950 from a W116.120
1984 300SD W126.120 with an OM617.951