Advice needed to remove MB hood star

[Mervyn]

I just bought myself a hood star kit and was attempting to replace my current one when it occured to me that there must be something I do not know. I turned the cylindrical sleeve covering the spring, and managed to loosen the assembly, but it still would not come out. Should the sleeve turn outside the spring mount (that is, expanding), or should the sleeve be turned into the mount (constricting)?

Or am I on the wrong track altogether?

Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks.

Mervyn

[JCE]

What model and year? On my '87 w124 300E the hood star is removed by using a pair of needle nose pliers to pull out the lateral pin at the bottom of the hood assembly. Installation of the new star is via rotating the spring loaded assembly. A search on "removing hood star" will give a number of discussions on this topic, including Removing hood ornament . Have fun!

[ymsin]

Why the change, Merv?

Tell us what model you are working on. It's kind of necessary for us to know that.

Most of them can be removed with a pair of pliers by pulling on the U shaped retainer and giving it a quarter turn.

Good luck,

[Ashman]

Mine wasnt easy to get out, but I took a pair of pliers and rotated the clamp and it came loose. I then had to wiggle it and bend it to get it out because it was stuck.

I replaced mine because someone had ripped the star off the hood.

Alon

[ymsin]

I just wonder whether people would prefer an MB with or without the "star"?

I prefer the "star" on as otherwise I wont know how to drive between the lines ...

I use it as a target to hit animals. J/k Of course

[Mervyn]

I cant imagine I'd forgotten about the most important detail! :p

My car is a 1983 W126 (280SEL), and as JCE mentioned, there is indeed a lateral pin holding the end of the spring to the sleeve. But John, does that mean that once this pin is removed, the entire assembly cannot be used anymore?

Ymsin, I'm changing the star logo for a new one simply bcos it shines better, and I like the glistening effect when you drive under a sunny sky. And of course I agree that with the star, my driving has been consistently good, hehe.

Thanks for the info everyone, will appreciate any more advice. Meanwhile, I'll go do a search.

Mervyn

[JCE]

Mervyn:

My old star was corroded and peeling chrome - the only finish blemish on the car when I bought it. The MB dealer let me watch when they pulled the pin, which causes the whole thing to loose tension. The new star was a "twist this after it is in the hole to lock it in place, not before" item. I have played with the old star a bit, actually ran some 12 gauge electrical wire down in under the loop that had previously held the pin, and managed to pull it back through to secure it again (I like the spring tension on the old one better than on the replacement - a little weak on the new one). Anyway, I tried securing the loop in place with a section of coat hanger wire - bent it immediately! That is one strong spring. I finally secured it with a section of nail. So, yes, it can be reassembled, but only with difficulty. (They designed it on the grenade school of engineering - pull the pin and toss it .)

[Mervyn]

Silly me, I should have search for "hood star ornament" earlier. Came up with Brian's input (which so far I think is the best method of removing the star). I dont know if you're reading this, but thanks Brian! And of course to all the pals who have contributed his 2 cents worth, it has been a great help. Here's Brian's message:
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Brian16V
Senior Member

Registered: Jan 2000
Posts: 361
Guys, Guys -- I believe there's a much easier way. If your "stars" are anything like my 1986 2.3-16V star, then you all are going about it the HARD way. The star assembly basically "sandwiches" the grille frame using spring pressure between the star (exterior) and its formed sheetmetal "bellhousing" (interior; which encloses the spring). No need to remove the spring retaining "bar" and disassemble to remove your stars. Get a pair of pliers and grab the end of the bellhousing; pull up to extend the spring and twist the entire assembly 90-degrees (you'll know which way to twist as it'll only go one direction). This will line up the bellhousing with the keyhole cutout in the grille frame. Wiggle gently and your entire star assembly will come out intact. To install, just do the opposite -- feed the assembly through the keyhole, pull on the bellhousing and twist 90-degrees.

Hope this helps.

Brian
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Once again, this forum has never fail to disappoint, cheers!

It does make a great gun sight. Kind of handy in North Dallas traffic. All we need now is the trigger button on the stick.

Have a great day,

[JCE]

What a simple technique! I am depressed to see that once again the dealership techs did it the hard way !!! (Or maybe it was just the "fast, money is no object, now you HAVE to buy a new part" method they used). Thanks Brian.

I prefer the flat hood star as opposed the the "cross hair" look. When I used to have the normal emblem I swear I would use it as target practice