Strange Knob

[Colingo]

Went out for an autumn drive - came back and found a strange knob in the foot well (not referring to passenger!). Can anyone identify?

[BobH]

Did it just suddenly appear, as if it had fallen off of something?  This looks like a knurled thumb nut, these are used to fix the tail light bulb holders and lenses, have a look in your boot, depending on what lights you have there may be four or more on each light.  They may be used elsewhere, i think the instrument cluster and tacho are fixed with thumbnuts, but i don't know if this is the same type used there?

[DaveB]

I agree it looks like a nut from a tail light bulb holder (the nuts on the gauges are all metal and smaller).

[Colingo]

Thanks guys - I've looked again and seen that it has a thread. I'll check the tail lights. My car is a 64 230 if that helps.

[BobH]

if you have the original lights with the wider reversing light section, you should have 4 on each side

The question is, how did it migrate from the boot to the footwell, and why?  it's a long way for a small nut to travel, what was it running away from? it's a mystery!

[Charles 230SL]

..how did it migrate from the boot to the footwell, and why?  it's a long way for a small nut to travel..

Yeah, they'll sneak off if you don't keep an eye on 'em . Four of mine were missing when I bought my car.. they're expensive too!
https://www.authenticclassics.com/White-Taillight-Knob-for-Mercedes-111-112-113-p/auth-004664.htm

[114015]

This knob goes also from inside the softtop compartment to hold the backrest of the jumpseat.

[Colingo]

Hi Achim

I'd just put the soft-top down, so this seems more likely - not sure about "the backrest of the jumpseat". I do have the rear sideways rear seat - is this what you mean?

[BobH]

Ah, good point by Achim, the mystery may have been solved.  The back rest of the rear side facing seat is fixed by one of these thumb nuts, located in the soft top storage well.  I imagine, if it was loose, when you pulled the soft top out of the well, the nut may have been caught up in the soft top and somehow dropped off into the footwell, so it may have happened when you raised the hood, rather than when you lowered it.  If you check the location behind the rear seat back you should find the bolt where the nut fits.  The seat back will be loose at the moment.  I may be letting my imagination run away, but i can't see how else it would end up in the footwell?

[Pinder]

tail lights in the trunk would be my guess.

[zoegrlh]

Back of kinder seat is my guess.

[Colingo]

I have a full complement on my tail lights and I couldn't see anywhere it might have fitted around the rear seat?

[stickandrudderman]

Perhaps someone removed the rear seat in order to fit seat belts?

[Davek1]

Holds the tail light to the body. just removed mine to change a bulb

[BobH]

I have a full complement on my tail lights and I couldn't see anywhere it might have fitted around the rear seat?

If your rear seat is still fitted, you'll need to pull the soft top out of the storage well, there should be a bolt behind the seat back in the well, on the right hand side, where this nut will fit, i haven't seen one, so can't tell you how high up it is, but you should be able to find it.  If your seat has been removed, then lock the nut away as it will be worth more than your pension in a few years time