I've tracked down this bad pod in my dash (1985 300SD) ... I'm hoping beyond hope that this is something that can be replaced without pulling the dash but it's been pretty stubborn so far... is there a trick to getting this out (and by extension, anything I should know in putting in the replacement?

Thanks!

If that's the one behind the ash tray you need to take the carpet piece off of the passenger side of the consol so you can see and grab it.

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K

I've replaced all of my vacuum elements on my 1982 300SD over the years and haven't had to remove the dash. The one you want to replace is the one that activates the central outlet. If the 1985 is the same as the 1982, this element is mounted on to an angled spacer (Mercedes calls it a console). This angled spacer is mounted with Philips screws to the A/C body. I would suggest removing the console so you have better access to this element. The element is attached to the angled space with 3 push-on Pal nuts. Be careful removing them - you may not get new ones with the new element.

Goood luck!

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Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

Forgot one thing. I've been just replacing the rubber diaphragm instead of replacing the whole vacuum element for a couple of years. They cost a fraction of the cost of a new element and one size fits all - I have a couple in stock for when I have another element start to leak. I got my last diaphragms (about 2 years ago) from:

George Murphy
Performance Analysis Co.
969 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Suite 258
Oak Ridge, TN 37830

865-482-9175 9 am to 5 pm ET M-F

__________________
Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)