Anything to watch out for when pulling out the cluster? I need to remove
the cluster to replace the caps in the clock circuit. Is this a pretty
straightforward procedure? I've read tales on this board of squirting
oil in the W123.

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85 300TD FED-Daily
84 300SD-Wife's
86 XJS-Sunday
66 GMC-Work- Given to my stepson
83 BMW Airhead- Given to my stepson

A w126 has a electric oil gauge, you won't have that probmem.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

I use a paint can opener from Homer D. Pough. It fits between the cluster and dash very nicely and has just enough of a lip to pull the cluster out easily.

Just be careful of the big round plug. People have had them come apart spilling wires all over the place

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

i use a coat hanger. bend the end of the wire with a pliers to make a very small "L" - maybe 1/8". the slip it in between the dash and panel and turn it a quarter turn so the "L" will engage the little lip on the side of the panel. gently pull the panel out.. usually working one side out a little will allow the whole thing to pull out pretty easily. if it's never been out, it might be a little "sticky" . be patient and careful as always.

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R Martin
Dallas, TX (Addison)

86 560SEL, 128K

a 126? just grasp the cluster with your fingers and pull. I put my thumbs on the knobs for the clock and the odo reset, and my fingers along the top and just pull it gently out.
stop once it's out enough to pull out the round connector and set it on the steering wheeel, and pull out all the other stuff. make a note of where the bulbs go.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I like to remove the light switch on mine, reach up, and pop it out from behind. On my 91 at least each light bulb's wire has a little number on it for where it goes.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Make sure to disconnect the battery before pulling the cluster, it's very easy to blow a fuse if a loose wire grounds out.

I usually use a thin blade screwdriver to get it started and then vstech's thumbs technique. I'd suggest cleaning up the contacts/(thin metal strip) on the cluster if you have it out, I'd also take a look at the plastic gears on the odometer to see if they've cracked or started to shed teeth yet.

I use a 6" piece of 5/8" wide steel shipping strap with a little less than 1/8" bend at one, like a hook, and a finger hook on the other.
Insert at the top, slide around to the side to the grove and pull.

__________________
1984 300SD turbo 126
"My true love"

God made me an atheist and who am I to question His wisdom