PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

Squiggle Dog · #12 09-01-2010, 10:23 PM

I second the W116 dashboard removal and reinstallation is an all-day process at best. The center console has to come out first, which is a job in itself! One can be removed in about an hour if it's a wrecking yard car and you need to get at something behind the dash and don't care about damaging the dashboard.

Once you get really good at these you can have one out in about an hour or two, but you have to be really, really careful to not crunch or tear the end of the dashboard when wedging it out. Putting one back in is another story. In fact, I hear the windshield is supposed to come out or the dash won't be able to be installed without tearing the ends! It's something you don't want to do more than once...

Removing a W110 or W111 dashboard is MUCH easier. It probably takes an hour to remove it, maybe a little longer to install. You have to be careful that the metal trim doesn't slice the pad. Sometimes the cap is glued to the metal body so you have to use care in separating it.

I removed a W123 dashboard for the first time and it only took me 15 minutes. I couldn't believe how easy it was. I think a good mechanic could remove and reinstall one in less than an hour (not including the time for the job that made removing the dashboard necessary).