W123 Dash Removal - I need help badly!!

BenzMac, Aaron, Larrybible, any techs out there,

Please help me!! This is urgent to me. I am at the breakers' at the moment trying to remove a pristine dashboard from a W123 to fit my cracked one.

I have removed most of the centre console wood, instrument cluster, glovebox, air-con vents, steering wheel, etc, but I am quite puzzled on how to pull out the dash and the center console. I presume the centre-console must come out first, but how??

Please help, anyone, I do not want to damage this dash. All advice is really appreciated!!!!

[tstarr]

I had to pull the dash and console out of my 82 126 a while ago. First I had to remove the console, which involved taking off the instruments out of the console, then removing 2 screws that went into the underside of the dashboard thru the top of the console, then removing one screw at the back of the console just under the armrest. I believe that was all I did. There was a plastic spacer of some sort that the screws into the dashboard went through. It then pulled right out.

Benzie,
Did you know you can get a dash overlay that will fit your dash? They fit perfect(no trimming). Check with some of the MB parts places. They cost about $100 and come with the cement to put it on.If you don't know of the places to check, let my know and I'll supply you with a list of places. They are easy to put on, and will be a lot easier than removing your dash and replacing it.Good luck.
Bill Lewallen Lexington,Ky.

Thanks for the advice, guys,

I managed to yank the whole thing out after removing all the bolts. It was from an '85 car, so fifteen years of sunshine, damp and what have you, had made it quite tight to remove.

I do not know much about dash covers, though I read somewhere that it does warp over time due to sun exposure. The cars in my place are RHD, so I do not know whether do anyone stock them.

[fz500sel]

Hey Benzie, after you got out all of the bolts from underneath the dash, was there still a screw or something holding the dash to the center console? When I tried to get my dash off, I thought I had everything off but when I pulled on the dash, the center console (with climate control module) was pulling up as well. I couldn't see what was holding it together. I got so frustrated that I ended up putting everything back together as I was cursing the MB cd-rom. I noticed that the procedure in the CD-rom left out some steps and also used some terms I never heard of.

One step told me to remove the instrument switch. I've heard of a instrument cluster and a combination switch but never an instrument switch. They even showed a picture of the combination switch for that step in the procedure. Yet I don't see why I would need to remove the combination switch to remove the dash.?????? Another thing is, they never mentioned anything about the dash being somehow connected to the center console, but as I found out, they ARE somehow screwed or bolted together.

well, enough venting for now.

[tstarr]

When I took the dash and console out of my 82 300SD, I found that I reached a point where I was "going it alone" since the CD left out a number of steps. I tugged on the dash and had the same experience - discovered the screws holding the console to the bottom of the dashboard. I still haven't gotten it completely together, since someone in the past had apparently done the same thing and not been so delicate. They broke the plastic spacer that goes in between the console and dash. It hasn't been the same since...

Yo fz500sel,

After I got hold of all the bolts off the dashboard, the centre console was indeed still attached to the dash, the main holding point was the plastic 'climate control switch holder' thats what I call it, getting in the way. It's quite a big chunk of plastic there.

What I did was to remove most of the wood from the centre console, (mine is a euro model with the 3 knobs), and loosened the screws from the 'holder'. I was then able to wiggle the centre console housing out, followed by the 'holder'. The dashboard removal was a breeze after that.

Let me take a look at the stuff that I had removed, and post you back again.

Hard work, but worth it.

yo fz500sel,

I just re-read your post, I think the instrument switch is the big chunk of plastic I was talking about......

[fz500sel]

I didnt get far enough to see if it was a big chunk of plastic or what. I tried to pull the dash up far enough so I could see what was holding it but I was afraid to pull it too much cuz I didn't want to damage anything in the center console. It was the pits cuz I could see the actuator for the center vent control and yet I couldn't get to it to fix my problem. SO CLOSE BUT YET...SO FAR AWAY!

Fz500sel,

I know how frustrated you feel, cos that's why I started this thread in the first place. Tell you what, I will be sorting out all the bits over the weekend, and hopefully fit the new dash. I will take pics this time when I strip out My old dash, and send them to you.

Will be back at the breakers to pick up a few more interior parts, can't be sure I break something when I remove my yeechy old dash.