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  #1  
Old 04-28-2006, 04:20 PM
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86 560sl clear plastic in front of the instrument cluster

I have a 1986 MB 560sl. I have taken my instrument cluster for cleaning at local VDO shop. When they return it to me the piece of clear plastic that is in front of the instruments has a crack that now disturbs me a lot. They did not manage to clean the clear plastic saying it is old and nothing could be done. Since I leave in Europe and I have the US Mercedes model I get parts from USA. Especially because the VDO shop does not have the clear plastic as a part.

Does anyone have a clear plastic in good shape for sale? Please email me at balsa@sbb.co.yu

Thanks,

Balsa

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Old 04-28-2006, 08:42 PM
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You SHOULDA done it yourself! I have instructions on my website (on the instrument cluster page) for cleaning the cluster and removing fairly deep scratches from the plastic with a polish sold here that is usually used for polishing the plastic over modern headlights called PLASTX. I've gotten some very serious gouges that most people would toss in the garbage out with 220 wetordri sandpaper (seriously), then 400/600, then a buffer on a drill, and then PLASTX. The results are water-clear.

I don't think that this part was sold separately, but it is common with other instrument clusters from other late 70's early 80's cars, you might be able to get one out of a junkyard and polish it.

If you have no luck, PM me and I'll see if I can get to any of them, and figure out what it would take to ship one.
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  #3  
Old 04-28-2006, 08:44 PM
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PS. If they broke it, they should be able to find a replacement, and you can polish it yourself.
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Old 04-29-2006, 08:48 AM
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Thanks Strife!

Progress always come at wrong time. I should have done it myself! But the guy who owns the VDO shop is a friends cousin and he did it to me as favor. I was just one second away from him while he was opening the cluster and he showed me the crack like it was there....I was pissed off and said like ok never mind. The problem is that I leave in Belgrade, Serbia and the customer service is not as in USA So I can not ask him to get the new one because if he had it he would give it to me for free....but this way I have to find it myself. Since 107 is a very rare car it is impossible to find it locally. Maybe Germany...but again it is hard to find anything in Germany since no one speaks English and I do not speak German.

Do you know if clusters from other models that I could use clear plastic from. A friend of mine can give me the w116 cluster so I can use the clear plastic.


If you can find the R107 clear plastic I would be more than gratefull.

Thanks,

Balsa

Last edited by balsa; 04-29-2006 at 09:08 AM.
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  #5  
Old 04-29-2006, 08:50 AM
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Strife,

This the message I got from your web page.



404 Error -- File Not Found
The page you are looking for (http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/merinstrux2.pdf) is not here.

Last edited by balsa; 04-29-2006 at 09:07 AM.
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  #6  
Old 04-29-2006, 10:43 AM
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Sorry, the file is mysteriously missing (wife messed with site), but I will replace it tonight.


(Just added: OK, it's back).
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Last edited by Strife; 04-29-2006 at 10:49 AM.
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  #7  
Old 04-29-2006, 05:32 PM
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Wouldn't it be feasible to trace a pattern from the old guage face onto the same thickness of Plexiglass and cut out?
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Old 04-29-2006, 07:44 PM
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It's a fairly complex shape, and there are light shade mounts that are not as flat as the rest of the plastic. It's pretty tricky to cut plexiglass, and plexiglass is not nearly as tough as this stuff, possibly a lexan.

I've had experience with plexiglass in optical situations, and if you look at it funny, it scratches.

I THINK that 116's (?) from the 70/80's had a similar plastic instrument cluster and clear part. To the best of my knowledge, ALL MB clear plastic from 72 to 89 in 107's is identical (but the black plastic that houses it is not). I'd look for one of those. Old sedan/coupe parts = cheap, convertible parts = expensive.
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  #9  
Old 12-12-2006, 01:30 PM
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instrument cluste

I have a 1987 560 SL. I read your response about instrument clusters and was wondering if you could tell me how to remove the cluster. The speedometer lens is cracked and on of the silver buttons has fallen off.

Thanks, my car looks exactly like yours.

Rich
fat48@yahoo.com
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Old 12-12-2006, 08:14 PM
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The instructions are on a web page on my site:

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/merinstrux2.pdf

Use at your own risk, etc. I originally used superglue gel to reattach the trim piece you describe; now, I use a small dab of RTV.
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  #11  
Old 12-12-2006, 08:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard A. Owen View Post
I have a 1987 560 SL. I read your response about instrument clusters and was wondering if you could tell me how to remove the cluster. The speedometer lens is cracked and on of the silver buttons has fallen off.

Thanks, my car looks exactly like yours.

Rich
fat48@yahoo.com
You will have to remove the stering wheel to pull the instrument cluster.

1) Disconnect battery
2) Remove airbag (2 torx screws from behing wheel and electrical connector)
3) Mark spline and remove stearing wheel (Large 10 mm hex socket)
4) Remove brush plare (3 #1 philups screws.

The instrument cluster is just pressed in with a thick rubber band supporting it. It can be removed very simply with a homemade tool by taking two pices of coat hanger wire and bending a short (~1/8") sharp 90° bends in each wire. Insert the bent wires in between the cluster and dash pad on each side of the cluster. Twist the wires so that the 1/8" tangs face into the cluster. Give a little tug to make sure you have the cluster by some meet. If the wires hook in, pull straight out. Remove the cluster just enough to disconnect every thing. Macke sure you replace your bulbs there are about 10 small ones and 3 large ones.

Replace center bolt on steering wheel with new one (or at least use locktite) and re-torque.

John Roncallo
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Old 12-22-2006, 07:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roncallo View Post
You will have to remove the stering wheel to pull the instrument cluster.

1) Disconnect battery
2) Remove airbag (2 torx screws from behing wheel and electrical connector)
3) Mark spline and remove stearing wheel (Large 10 mm hex socket)
4) Remove brush plare (3 #1 philups screws.

The instrument cluster is just pressed in with a thick rubber band supporting it. It can be removed very simply with a homemade tool by taking two pices of coat hanger wire and bending a short (~1/8") sharp 90° bends in each wire. Insert the bent wires in between the cluster and dash pad on each side of the cluster. Twist the wires so that the 1/8" tangs face into the cluster. Give a little tug to make sure you have the cluster by some meet. If the wires hook in, pull straight out. Remove the cluster just enough to disconnect every thing. Macke sure you replace your bulbs there are about 10 small ones and 3 large ones.

Replace center bolt on steering wheel with new one (or at least use locktite) and re-torque.

John Roncallo
Between steps 1 and 2, above, should also be disconnect the SRS system before removing the airbag. There is a red plug located in the passenger footwell, behind the carpet on the '87 in the upper left corner that is supposed to be unplugged before you unplug the airbag. It's the MB procedure, not sure if you would get into trouble not doing it but airbags are something I don't mess around with. Also, NEVER EVER remove the airbag while sitting in the driver's seat....make sure you are clear of it at all times while removing and replacing it.

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