124 ash tray removal?
 

I can't for the life of me find it in my FSM, and not having much luck on search. How do you remove the ashtray from a 124? I assume it's not hard but don't want to "guess" and booger it up.:cool: Want to take that out, clean it ... and consider that spot for boost/EGT gauges in the future.

You pull the butt holder out, the silver piece. Then there is a clip that you need to push down on the top of the plastic piece. I slipped a putty knife up in and held it down with that. I'm looking for an electronic gauge to slip into that same spot.

Chris

If you're ashtray holder is not bolted in like mine, then the whole thing will just come out in one piece, but usually it's (the ashtray frame) is held on by one or two screws, to get at them you need to remove the ashtray first.

You are being too technical. The removal instructions for the tray are in the Owner's Manual. The metal tray just pulls out for cleaning. The wood trim just pops off. Once the metal tray is out there are two phillips screws that secure the tray frame. It is helpful to have a magnetic bit to get those screws back in. As you pull it out you pull out the ashtray light from the frame and disconnect the leads to the cigar lighter. IIRC Mercedes refers to it as a cigar lighter in the owner's manual.

the wood trim is stapled through the plastic frame into the wood. it shouldn't pop off and there is no need for it to.

Ah, well. One more thing for me to fix. Mine just pops off. I have had a sneaking suspicion that it came off to easily.

A bit of caution here....
 

....for those wishing to install instruments in place of the ashtray.

I think that's a great idea (I did it on my '85). However, on the W124 cars, the sensor for the airbags is located just in front of the ashtray, so be careful if you are drilling any holes for wires. You don't want any surprises! :eek: