Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: ja17 on November 28, 2014, 19:56:00
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W113 cars used six special blue plastic nuts to hold the wood dash partsd in place. These blue plastic nuts at times NLA and currently list for well over $20 US each from the dealer!!! There are two and only two of these blue plastic nuts on every W108 and W114 sedan of the era. Who knows where to find them ?
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Aren't they under the dash in the green 108 "troutman" car? I think the dash is out already. Or maybe in the trunk where we pulled the rear defrost wiring out.
Mike
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I don't know the answer but...
when I was doing my dash up I couldn't find any of the blue nuts but saw that they were plastic and figured that they should be plastic so as not to strip out the bolt so I made my own. Got an old white plastic cutting board (I think that was what it was), heated up an old socket red hot and pushed it down onto the cutting board with my drill press almost through, then drilled a hole and tapped a thread in the middle and then used a tiny holesaw to cut out the nut. After I had them all done I finished the edge on my grinder and then found a baggy in the bunch of parts with the proper nuts in them so I gave away my plastic nuts. Not the best quality and not at all pretty but apparently they worked well for a friend's project car (that he was going to keep forever but sold the minute someone waved $$ at him - wimp).
If you do this realize that the smoke is nasty - I wore a mask after the first one - and don't burn yourself - the plastic is hot too.
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Very resourceful solution!
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These M5 flanged nuts should be available by any fasteners dealer.. or ebeeee ±
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M5-5mm-NYLON-WASHER-FACED-FLANGED-FULL-NUTS-PLASTIC-FLANGE-MODEL-CIRCUIT-/190989083788
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Yes, not correct, but they would work in a pinch for those who are not too picky.
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Authentic Classics has them in gray color, not blue, for $7.45 US ea.
http://www.authenticclassics.com/230SL-250SL-280SL-Convertible-113-Chassis-s/1.htm?searching=Y&sort=2&cat=1&search=nut&show=16&page=2
Tom Kizer
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I believe the original blue nuts were also self locking. I am pretty sure just standard flanged nylon nuts are not. The Authentic ones look like they would work.
But to answer the original question. My coupe uses the blue plastic nuts on the dash wood and am surprised that the sedans don't. But Joe knows and my next guess is for the trunk catch in the back panel. My coupe uses the same size as the blue plastic nut although mine are metal self locking nuts. The plastic ones would work though.
If not that than I would say metal trim on the exterior. That is a tough one! Good question.
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wild guess here, but at $20 each wouldn't they be in the safe at the Classic Center? ;D
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... I would say metal trim on the exterior.
I was thinking the same thing, notably at the end of the rear fender trim.
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Michael, someone once mentioned that the Classic Centre has taken over a near by Bank were they make use of the large amount of safety deposit boxes for quite a few of our desirable bits and pieces ;D
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Ok, Mike M. closest with some inside information. Two of these special blue plastic nuts were used to secure the rear parcel shelf metal trim in place on the W114, W115, W108 and W109 sedans of the era. There are only two per car and can be removed inside the trunk under the parcel shelf/rear wind screen. I'll add a pick when I get a chance.
The grey ones from "Authentic Classics" look close but also, are not exact in configuration and color.
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Looks like an ideal job for a 3D printer…. You'll recoup your investment after printing around 25 of them...