How hard is to replace a dashboard on an 85 300D? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Carrameow · #1 05-09-2005, 08:46 AM

I could literally drive my fire damaged car (85 300D) by tomorrow if I wanted to badly enough but the dash may have melted a bit above the instrument panel area.
How hard is it to replace a dash? It looks like a Huge Job because of the HVAC ducts and all those other electrical connections.........
I would like to do a very good job repairing the damage from the electrical fire.
Thats one of the reasons I love this car. In any other car an electrical fire would mean the demise of its ECU , ICU and all those other Chips and the destruction of the car, but in this case, the damage was negligible, I could have driven in to work today if I had to.

tomm9298 · #2 05-09-2005, 09:29 AM

Very glad to hear the damage was minimul. I have never replaced a MB dash, but I am sure it is difficult, and that you are capable of the project. With your expertise, I am sure you will do it right. Post some before and after pics for us, if you would please. Good luck.

Carrameow · #3 05-09-2005, 09:50 AM

Thanks, that was nic of you.

kggkgg · #4 05-09-2005, 10:05 AM

See for yourself

:

http://photos.wanadoo.co.uk/album/1259925

took me about 5 hours to take out and replace (i am slow and took pictures along the way). Nothing complicated just be logical , lay the parts out in the order you take them off, make notes as you go along. Its described in detail on the CDs which is what i followed. Put some good music on in your garage and spend the day at it.

Keith

#5 05-09-2005, 10:34 AM

I pulled a dash and swapped a heater assembly on my 78 123. Just like he says, not hard to do, just time consuming. He has good photos. It is a little awkward to get the dash in and out of the car, and it was a bit rough to get it shoved up into place. But all in all not a bad day spent in the garage.
The vac lines and wiring are complex, but well laid out and tracable. You may have to cut into a wiring harness to inspect and repair the damages. Just do one at a time and have lots of high quality electrical supplies on hand.

leathermang · #6 05-09-2005, 10:54 AM

While you are thinking about it...
and wanting to try out that new engine...
since you do plan on replacing the dash...
Why don't you try some of this stuff you mix up and put into the hole... sand, and paint with Marhyde Vinyl spray ? Might be surprised how good it will look until you get the time to address the whole dash...

Carrameow · #7 05-09-2005, 11:20 AM

I got some nice cars in my driveway , a 91 Volvo and even a 95 SAAB, but as soon as I get the Benz back on the road, those two are gone...

Theres nothing sweeter than lighting off a Diesel engine...and its sound and no other car I would take if I had to drive around the world

lietuviai · #8 05-09-2005, 05:19 PM

Its not hard at all to replace the dash. I wouldn't even say it's really that time consuming. The hardest thing I would say is lining up the center ducts and defrosters is the hardest thing of all.
Really the hardest thing is finding a good dash.

jacrouch · #9 05-09-2005, 07:01 PM

i was just about to post the same question

vwkess · #10 05-09-2005, 07:36 PM

If you need a nice dash, Great Valley Salvage in Malvern, PA (610-644-0451) has a black one in a '78 280e that looks like new. Car is rust free with shiny paint, but they will be crushing it soon.

Yard is right off of Rt. 202, Rt. 29 exit.

engatwork · #11 05-09-2005, 09:11 PM

I suspect pulling the dash is harder mentally (thinking about it ahead of time) than it actually is. That is my experience anyway

.

Johnhef · #12 05-09-2005, 09:46 PM

If Carrameow doesnt want it, snag that black dash for me or give me directions and I'll go yank it myself!

In realitly pulling the dash is pretty simple. two screws behind the upper part of your center console, one screw per side under the speaker covers and one nut on each side where the lower dash panels match up. If you like, bring the replacement dash this saturday and I'll help you swap it out.

thebenzbar · #13 05-10-2005, 10:30 PM

BTW, Great Valley Yard in Malvern, PA is closed to the public for another 2-3 weeks. And don't bother trying to get that mint dash - dang yard crew there crushed that entire clean gray 280E flat like a pancake!

Oh... and if there is anyone attending the Northeast GTG needing a complete W123 dashboard (black, like-new, w/ intact mint zebrano wood + glove-box key!) then I am willing to swap it for a mint BLUE dashboard. This is probably a long-shot to find another undamaged dash, but what the heyy...it's worth a try!

Johnhef · #14 05-10-2005, 11:28 PM

oh damn. I semi-need a black one, and I have an extra blue one but it has cracks....

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