In the trunk lock actuator one major failure is the rubber boot that forms a seal between the lever plunger and vac housing. I have been experimenting with rubber solution and vulcanizing the rubber. I am meeting with some success. I want to be able to feel it can survive some 5,000 cycles before I would call it a real fix. A backup belt and suspender I read about is to secure a "condom" from a nitrile glove on to the lever and the body using wire ties. This looks crazy but will withstand the aggressive motion at each cycle I do believe.

Does the blue body housing split apart in the mid section in the trunk lock actuator or will I have to cut into it and re-seal to access the diaphragm??

Re the door lock actuators?? I just spoke with George Murphy.

George Murphy (865)482-9175 has a repair kit at a good cost. For 1977 - 1980 123s he supplies diaphragms specially moulded from EPDM (ethylene propylene diene Monomer M-class) rubber which will outlast your car. This is a space age improvement from the material that Benz had back in the 60s. The cost is $7.50 each and four are needed per door actuator. Thus the three doors of your car (none in driver's door) would need 3x4x7.50 = $90 for the full sedan. This is a good price and again will outlast the car in all probability. I have no connection to George but he is a very nice man to do business with. I got amplifiers etc. from him in the past. Very reputable.
I admire you guys greatly and tell me if I am onto a winner in fixing these trunk actuators or is this a hopeless case. The new cost is $170..... I do love these 123s and they are my pride and joy.

__________________
Dionysius

Anything with a CompuServe address, I would bet money is no longer in service. Didn't that service die a slow death 10+ years ago?

__________________
'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

I tried the nitrile glove and glue fix and ended up buying replacement pods for the trunk and a door.
I asked around on the forum and got usable old ones from members

__________________
1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

I ordered the replacement diaphragms from George a couple of years ago now and am very happy. I need to order more and hope he is still around.

Worse case I have a vendor that I do some welding for that does lots of custom urethane and rubber parts. If I can not get any from George, I will make a mold and have some made. They are a PIA to replace so I only want to do them once.

If anyone has any recent contact information for George Murphy at Performance Analysis Company. Please post it.

I have edited my initial posting above. I just spoke with George. Please re-read what I have edited since it has much added info.

Thank you all for helping.

I am still fishing for a trunk actuator fix that will last......

__________________
Dionysius

George's current e-mail address is perfanalysis@comcast.net.

__________________
05 E320 CDI - 185K miles
82 300D - 200K miles (sold)