111 trunk wire harness covers

[wwheeler]

Since there are so many knowledgeable owners of 111s on this site, I decided to see if anyone knows the answer to this puzzle.

In my '68 111 coupe trunk, there are two long covers on the trunk floor that protect the wire harnesses going to the two tail lights. On the left side, the cover is plastic and has the MB #108 683 01 24 and fits well. On the right side, the cover is metal, has no part number and also fits well. The problem is that there are two sets of holes drilled in the trunk floor on the right side and one of those sets is filled with silicone. The left side only has one set of holes.

My guess is that the plastic is original and the metal one is off another car. The metal and plastic covers do not share the same hole pattern. Maybe the right plastic one cracked and was replaced by the metal? Any ideas? I have attached a picture of the plastic one on the left side.

The attached picture is a clip (that isn't doing anything right now) that is attached to the trunk floor and is along side the right wire harness going to the tail light. It looks like part of the clip is broken that would secure the harness. Does anybody know about this clip?

Thanks for the help!

[w113dude]

Hi Wallace,

In my 70 280se they are both plastic, the metal ones are from earlier models before 67, I had a 65 250se coupe it had the metal covers too.

[wwheeler]

Shaun,

You are a wealth of information on these cars! I really didn't have very high expectations that anyone would be able to answer such a question. Now the question is, which do I go with; the metal or the plastic? Yes, the plastic is original but won't last forever. Metal will last forever but not original and I will have to drill new holes.

To add to the decision, I am planning on restoring the trunk not too far down the road. So I could MiG weld the holes for the plastic covers and then they would be gone. Hmmmm. Any wise thoughts?

It is amazing how MB really started to "cheapen up" these cars after '67. Gone were the chromed seat hinges, wooden instrument housing and now metal trunk wire harness covers.

Have any idea on the clip?

[w113dude]

If I were you I'd keep the metal one till a plastic one is found, although the metal one looks better but it's not the right period.  MIG weld should work well for screw holes.

Ah yes, with the introduction of petroleum to the worl of manufacturing every thing changed, less tooling, cheaper materials, and lighter cars.
I personally like the earlier cars better specially the interior, much more delicate with more refined lines.

Cheers,

[wwheeler]

Looks like the plastic cover may be the only solution. From what I have heard so far, metal covers are really hard to find and will be expensive. Plastic ones are more plentiful but finding one that isn't cracked will be the challenge.

Thanks for your thoughts. 

[perry113]

Quote:

It looks like part of the clip is broken that would secure the harness. Does anybody know about this clip?

Response:

Those are the clips to secure the tail lamp harness. I just ordered some from the dealer.

[wwheeler]

Perry,

Do you know what the part number is for the clip? Thank you so much for this info!

BTW, when I took my covers off, I found something most unpleasant. One section of the right tail light harness had been hot for some reason (before I bought the car) and had melted the wires together! There is still continuity and no shorts, but I don't see how. Nonetheless, I am replacing that section of wire.

As a pleasant surprize, Rhode Island wiring has the wire with the spiral tracers. They have a min. of 10' per color, but at .28/ft, not bad. Some of my spiral tracers are skinny and some are fat. R.I. wiring only has the skinny tracers, but beggars cannot be choosers.

Thank goodness for the way MB designed the plugs so that the wire and sockets can be replaced easily!   

[perry113]

The part # for the trunk harness clips are 003-988-81-78

It looks like the clip in the picture is on wrong. Take it off, turn it around and you will the other side has a provision that is rounded to hold the wire. See picture.

Cheers

PDP

[wwheeler]

Thanks Peter! I have the clips on order now.