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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 |
#2
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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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86 560SL With homebrew first gear start! 85 380SL Daily Driver Project http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm |
#3
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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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86 560SL With homebrew first gear start! 85 380SL Daily Driver Project http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm |
#4
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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. |
#5
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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. |
#6
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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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86 560SL With homebrew first gear start! 85 380SL Daily Driver Project http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm Last edited by Strife; 04-29-2006 at 10:49 AM. |
#7
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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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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif 15 VW Passat TDI 00 E420 98 E300 DT 97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME! 97 S500 97 E300D 86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D 86 300SDL (o\|/o) |
#8
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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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86 560SL With homebrew first gear start! 85 380SL Daily Driver Project http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm |
#9
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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 |
#10
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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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86 560SL With homebrew first gear start! 85 380SL Daily Driver Project http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm |
#11
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Quote:
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 |
#12
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Quote:
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