Heater control levers

[wwheeler]

Does anybody know if the earlier chrome "hard" levers  will directly interchange with the later plastic levers. I have the plastic ones that are original and fear that they will snap at any momnet. If I am going to relace them, I thought I might use the more desirable chrome ones.

Have any idea? Thanks!

[heckflosse]

The answer to that question is simply yes

[wwheeler]

I must have jinxed myself talking about the heater levers. During the process of replacing the o-ring on the heater valves, One of the levers BROKE! I used 4 minute J-B weld to temporarily fix it, but now I need to replace them. It will be fun trying to find four chrome levers. Anybody know of a good source?

Thanks for the interchange info!

Wallace

[wwheeler]

Speaking of replacing the levers, who knows how to do that? I see two nuts on either side of the assembly from backside of the dash. Looks like that holds the chrome cover plate on. Does it also hold the lever assembly to the dash frame as well?

I know you have to disconnect the cables from the levers, but is there anything else more complicated than that?

Thanks for the help because there isn't much about this stuff in the BBB and the 113 are quite a bit different.

Wallace

[badali]

The chrome anplastic levers just slide in from the front if they are the same as a finback lever.  Easy job.

[wwheeler]

I found an article in an old Mercedes Collector magazine which talked about refinishing the wood on a 111. It said that to remove the levers, you use a thin screwdriver and pull down on the flat spring that holds the levers in. I did that and they pulled out without much fuss. To install as Brad said, you just push them in and the spring sets itself.

Thanks for the help! It always is easier after you do it once and you wonder why you didn't figure it out the first time.

[JerryM]

Having just disassembled/reassembled the entire system to replace the heater core, I have a good idea!
It is fiendishly fiddly and access is very tight. The chrome faceplates  - and thereby the entire assembly - are retained by three nuts behind them. One in the centre, one each side - you will need mini sockets and/or offset spanners. As a minimum access is required from the glovebox aperture, the radio slot and the nearest speedo/tacho aperture. I also had access from below having removed the air distribution plenum etc.
Once those nuts are removed the assembly can be eased back and down towards the radio slot and then the nuts pinning the four control cables to the lever assembly can also be more easily loosened, then the spring clips securing the outer cable sheaths.
That should enable the entire lever assembly to be removed and serviced/repaired  - don't forget to replace all light bulbs while you are in there.
Good luck.

Speaking of replacing the levers, who knows how to do that? I see two nuts on either side of the assembly from backside of the dash. Looks like that holds the chrome cover plate on. Does it also hold the lever assembly to the dash frame as well?

I know you have to disconnect the cables from the levers, but is there anything else more complicated than that?

Thanks for the help because there isn't much about this stuff in the BBB and the 113 are quite a bit different.

Wallace

[graphic66]

Be very careful tightening the nuts holding the chrome. Only tighten enough to just barely flaten the springy washers. The break off from the chrome very easily.

[Raymond]

Jerry is right aoubt it being "fiddly".  I just finished this in June.  Pay very close attention as you disassemble everything.  The re-install is tricky getting all of the control cables re-attached to the levers.  The tricky bit is getting the flex wires in the cables into the screw clamps and clamping them at the right length.  Just bring patience and time.

[wwheeler]

Here are the new chrome levers installed! They look great and perform 1000 times better than the plastic ones. Even when I lubed the cables and the mechanism, I didn't have confidence that the plastic levers weren't just going to snap.

Now the chrome levers slide back and forth with ease AND with the full travel. What a fantastic upgrade. Not cheap though. I purchased these through SLS and they required a very slight amount of grinding on the non-showing portion that slips in the holder. Not sure why but everything else fit well.

NOTE: The newly installed radio plate was refinished to match the protected wood in the glove box. Really shows the amount of fade in the dash wood over 43 years. 

[ja17]

Hello Wallace,

These levers are the same on a lot of the MB Finback sedans of the era. Sorry I did not see your post earlier, I would have rounded up a set for you from the "back yard".

Take care,
Joe

[wwheeler]

Joe,

I appreciate your offer. As they say; It's the thought that counts! It's too bad they obsoleted the chromed metal ones for the cheaper (and safer) plastic levers. The metal ones work so much better.

This site has more giving people than I have ever encountered in ANY group. Quite an asset. 

[hank sound]

Hello Wallace,

These levers are the same on a lot of the MB Finback sedans of the era. Sorry I did not see your post earlier, I would have rounded up a set for you from the "back yard".

Take care,
Joe

Hello Joe,

The two upper levers on my "new" 69 280SL are both busted.  I would certainly be interested in a full set of chrome ones from your "back yard" if still available.   Please email me  - hankgarfield@sbcglobal.net

Thanks,

Hank

[JPMOSE]

Hank...the W113 levers are a completely different style than the W111.   Plus, the early levers for the W113 were plastic and not chrome.