Talking about the little plastic push in retainers that bold.the leading edge of the cowl panel (the wjper motor access).

Last time I pulled these, the result was ugly. I used a pick. They did not want to fit when I went to reinstall them.

Is there a better way? Or should I just figure on ordering new ones from the dealer any time I pull them out?

Tks

Use a small punch or phillips head screw driver to simply punch in the center of the rivet. The entire rivet will fall into the cowl area and can be retrieved when the cowl cover is removed. Yes you will need new ones.

Push down on the center piece with a screwdriver or the like and it will fall in. Then pull up from the exposed hole with a pick or flat screwdriver to remove the rest of the part.

Dkr.

As said above, push in the center pin with a small punch, Phillips Screw Driver or cut the point off a proper size nail.

The pin will drop into the Cowl area.
Pull the plastic Rivet part out.

Be careful with the lid as you lift it, it has a sticky tape around the edge to hold it down.
Pry up too quickly and you could bend or tweek the lid.

Retrieve the center pins, they and the Rivet part can be reused.
Place the lid back on, push in the Rivets, push in the center pins, and tap them in.

As they go in, the ends of the Rivet part flairs out to hold it tight.


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I am not sure if it's really sticky tape. It's jst old, turn gooey, weather stripping. I used (I think 1 inch) hardware store self sticking foam weather stripping when I reinstalled mine.

.

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

If you have a chainsaw sharpening file the square end is perfect for pushing the rivets in.

Go easy on the two toward the center of the car, I lost one down into the abyss.

Also, mine had no trace of any weatherstripping or tape, so your mileage may vary.

-Rog

Thanks for the pointers.

My '80 300td had no trace of any sealer around the panel when I opened it. But the car has been painted and sat outside in Texas for years so it may have baked off or been scraped off prior to the repaint, or some combo of both.

I did, however, encounter that seal on the '84 that Clacker and I took apart last year and it was a bear and a half to deal with.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Just looking for the part number(s).....that may be helpful!


Cheers!

snapped_bolt

__________________
'81 240D For now, a good place to borrow new parts
'80 300TD Probably will be put back into service!
'79 240D BACK IN SERVICE SINCE 09/16; limited use, oil leak. Guide pin r/sealed/replaced. Still a leak. Front crank seal....

Check here.

Mercedes Clips And Fasteners


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Any idea which ones on that Clips and Fasteners site are for the cowl grilles on the 123? I want to go in there to patch a water leak, but I don't want to pull them out until I have new ones in hand. Given my off-the-beaten-path location, it takes weeks for me to get parts.

Richard

I do not see the proper clip on the site suggested by Charlie. The MBZ Classic Center in Irvine has them. Thomas.Hanson@mbusa.com

But the huge pic is sort of disorienting, given how tiny they are in the flesh....

Mercedes Benz Push-Type Retainer

They appear to be an update part for the original part number?

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Those are not even close, they should have square tops. You should be able to save and re-use old ones if you are careful and not lose them.

1. Place a towel under the rubber cowl drain.
2. Use tail end of a file and small hammer to tap the cowl retainers into the cowl area.
3. After cowl is removed, scoop up mostly decomposed leaves + retainers into a strainer.
4. Check if any fell into the towel.
5. Immerse strainer into bucket of water and separate leaves from retainers.

Did you pick up/install the manual glow controller?

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

There are also two different types - one with a smooth surface on top, the other has a slightly ribbed top surface. And yes, it is possible to re use the rivets if removed properly. Funola is correct, the rivet depicted is not even close. Read the description and you will see the models this rivet is intended for.

Okay, time out.

I asked about the round rivets (horizontal orientation) that retain the leading edge of the metal cowl panel over the wiper motor on a w123.

No idea what parts unknown this discussion has decided to visit (sort of like a storyline on Modern Family)....

No, I have not picked up the controller.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22