..from the bottom. I realized I was going to break something or throw a tool and a fit (and then break something), so I quit.

I'll get it when I pull my cluster to fix my odometer and dash light rehostat.


But I did inadverdently fix my key/door/headlight buzzer. Yippee.

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

The screws are too tight. Leave the screws in, and take out the bolt that holds the bracket to the car.
Remove the amp with the bracket attached. THEN you can break the screws loose.

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Bob
'82 300D Petrol B-G Metallic

Under the dash is never a comfortable place to work.
Techguy's advice is good, and will work. Take your time.
As far as the cluster removal goes I'll share a tip I learned from a friend that dismantles Mercedes for a living.
Instead of pulling the cluster out with a tool -proper or improvised, Reach your hand up under the dash and push the cluster out. With a few pushes, one side than the other, it will pop right out.
My friend says that 9/10 of the cars he gets have the edge of the cluster broken from pulling on them, so he came up with this technique.
Good luck.

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Pure Vermont Maple Syrup
http://www.squaredealfarm.org

1982 300D Turbo
1983 300D Turbo

Yeah. The bolt head rounded off. Then I went after the screws. Got one off but not the other. That's when I decided to quit while I was ahead.

I had already done a good bit of research here and on my FSM before I tackled it (as I do with all the jobs I do on my car).

In fact, I think I might have read a post by you giving that very advice.

So thanks!

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

If pulling the seat wasn't such a major ordeal, one could do that and just lay there in luxury whilst having a go under there!

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

Pulling the seat is a major ordeal? Okay, I'll admit that I've only pulled the seat on a W123, but I've pulled plenty of other seats on non-Mercedes. At 6'4" and with lower back problems, I don't go under a dash without removing a seat. Ever!

I pulled a passenger seat from a W123 two weeks ago at the salvage yard. It took me all of three minutes with my wife watching me, so it must not be too hard, since every guy knows that the times you are most made to look like an moron always happen while the wife is watching.

What really caught me off guard was how much the bloody things weigh! I had to lift the seat over my head to walk between the rows of cars in the yard, and my back is still twitching from it.

Seriously. For my time and effort when under a dash, removing a seat or two is worth the trouble. It's so much less frustrating under there when you can actually lay nearly flat and without a door sill in the spine.

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- K.C.Adams

'77 300D Euro Delivery
OM617 turbo / 4-speed swap
404 Milanbraun Metallic / 134 Dattel MB-Tex

Current status:
* Undergoing body work

My '77 300D progress thread

Yes it is. 300sd seats are a bit different than 300d's

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

LUX,

Make a bench the height of the door sill to lay on. That will make it much easier to get out the CC computer.

P E H

I laid in that position for several hours a day for 2 weeks or so to install my alarm (i decided to put the module beside the cruise amp..) My back hurt for a week after that, and I'm 16...

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Ich liebe meine Autos!

1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL | Megasquirt MS3-Pro | 722.6 transmission w/ AMG paddles | Feind Motorsports Sway Bar | Stinger VIP Radar | AntiLaser Priority | PLX Wideband O2 | 150A Alternator | Cat Delete
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Blown engine, rebuilding someday...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Rear ended, retired in garage.
2009 Yamaha AR230HO | Das Boot

Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!

Lux,
Just checking here; but you are loosening the bolt on the outer side of the bracket with a deep socket 10mm; not trying to loosen the nut on the inner side (it's welded to the bracket).

To just get the circuit board out, I usually leave the aluminum box on the bracket in the car, bend the little tabs a bit and slide the circuit board out of the box.FWIW

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

on my w123 I opened the sunroof , stuck my feet out it as I laid awkwardly to remove my CC amp... it was easier than twisting about.. it was quiet comfortable

FWIW??!! It's worth a lot! That just made things a million times easier!

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

What, me? No! I'd never do something that dumb. I've been working on cars and machines since before I was born and blah, blah, blady blah blah...

Umm, yeah. That's exactly what I did.

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&pid=00952166000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Bolt-Out%2C+Taps+%26+Dies&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Worth evey penny!!!

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1985 300D burning WVO using 26 FPHE, half gallon heated fuel filter,glow plug heater,home made injection line heaters. Home made cold air induction. ALDA full out.
2003 F350 7.3(the last of the great motors)
1987 Paint Horse-non running too, just walks!

I have done this at the bone yard, destroyed it in the process. Be careful, be very careful.

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83 SD

84 CD