Ray and Willy:
I am completely unsure about removing the lower panel (we have a 92 124): the airbag is easy to remove (just handle it gingerly and be gentle removing the plug at the rear). If you look up under the dash, you will see a deep hole with a bolt recessed deeply into it. Undo that bolt (it is long) and pull it out, and the airbag should slide out rearward. You should have access to anything that a 124 with glovebox removed would.

HTH,

__________________
Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K