I need to replace some of the warming lamp

[Benzmeister]

bulbs on the cluster on my 79 450SLC, I read in the MB shop manual the sterring wheel has to come off. True? has anyone gotten the pod out without taken off the steering wheel.

Also the switches on the wood strip on the dash, all except for the sun roof the bulbs are out. Nowhere in the MB shop manual can I find anything about how to remove, I did figure it out, I can remove the glove box and push them out. However there is nothing about renewin the bulb. The only switch they talk about renewing the bulb is the heated seat switch?

Thanks!

[Strife]

In my opinion, it is not possible to remove the instrument cluster without risking distorting and possibly damaging the (now 20-30 year old) dash pad surrounding it. POSSIBLY, it can be done with an earlier (pre-560) car with a different shaped steering wheel, but then you have the problem of disconnecting the oil tube from the mechanical oil gauge with the steering wheel in front of you.

I'd remove the steering wheel if at all possible.

[kip Foss]

I take out the panel of my 1977 450 slc frequently and it is no big deal.

Before you do anything center the wheel and remove the keys from the ignition.

Remove your steering wheel by pulling on the black rubber horn pad in the center of the wheel. Remove the big nut on the end of the steering shaft. I think it is either 19 or 22 mm. The wheel should slide off with out having to use a puller.

My panel comes out very easily but if yours has not been out in 25 years then you may have to use a couple of coat hangers that are bent into a 90 deg. hook. Make the end of the hook short and bend a handle on the other end. Work the hooks around the panel and gently pull. The panel is held in by a rubber ring with groves on it.

When the panel comes out use a 10 mm wrench to remove the oil pressure gauge line. Next get the speedometer cable and the electrical plug. The panel should come loose. I said to remove the ignition keys because if the engine is starten now you will get a lap full of engine oil. Not fun.

The instrument lights are small black plugs with flat sides on them. Turn them and they will come out. If you have a battery charger you can test them.

When you go back in with the panel don't over tighten the oil tube. You can damage the gauge. With the panel out it is a good time to look behind the dash for anything out of place.

To remove the console remove the ash tray. Remove the two large screws. Remove the shifter knob (there is a 14 mm or so nut under the knob) and the panel should come away.

[Strife]

Very minor (but important) point on the previous post:

I would NEVER use a battery charger to test a bulb or any device designed to operate in a car (at 10-14 volts). I just measured my battery charger (not a junky one, actually a pretty good model) at no-load (the load a bulb of that size would present to the charger is negligible) and it was 18 volts! The life of the bulb could be shortened quite a bit in just a few seconds; an electronic device (a radio, ECM module, etc) could certainly be damaged. If you want to test a lightbulb like that, use a 9 volt battery and a little clip they sell for $1.00 at radio shack, or cut the end off of an old 9 volt "wall wart" (which probably actually puts out 12v) you probably have lying around at home.

[Benzmeister]

Pod is actually loose in the 450, I have to push in th sides now and then, which leads me to believe it has been out before. I pulled the pod on my 99 C280, didn't have to remove the steering wheel. At first I was concerned after 26 years, the wheel could be frozen in place, had that happen on a old Porsche I restored. Also, the only bulbs that are out are the onces accross the bottom of the pod, seatbelt, brake, etc. While I have the pod out, I can push out the switches across the dash, rear defog etc, as a couple of them are out, are the bulbs replaceable on these switches, the shop manual speaks very little other then how to remove them? Thanks again.