W140 Console Wood Removal With Pic Please Help

[gvanhouten]

I am in need of removing the wood from my 96 s 320. I do not want to crack the wood and am confused about how to remove it. Thanks

George

[gvanhouten]

Anybody????????

[Ron in SC]

Just a theory so don't try this until someone says for sure how it comes out, but from looking at it I think it comes off by just using plastic wedges to lift the back part up a little, it probably snaps in, where I have the arrows and then once it's lifted a little from the rear there are probably clips where the X's are at the top that slide down so the whole thing comes out.

I don't know what's above the top of the console so I don't know if you can see down in there and determine if any fasteners need to be removed. That top part almost certainly will come straight down some before it comes out.

[Dave Horvath]

Sorry I can't help but I will be watching your post. I burned out the wiring for the passenger mirror. I replaced the mirror and wiring and my left to right does not work for that side. I think I may have burned out part of my mirror switch in the console. I have been looking to see how to remove the console.
When you removed the radio I take it that you have a code to reset it.
Good luck 1996 S320

[Peter Guenther]

95 and up used a one piece panel, the catch is at the console end and a wedge is suggested, There are screws in the radio opening and maybe in the HVAC control opening, the panel pivots up when released from the rear (console end) you have to remove the ring around the shifter also

[gvanhouten]

Extremely easy to remove. Yes you need the plastic wedge. Slide the whole piece forward by using a plastic wedge between the gear shift and the wood this pushes the piece forward. Once a gap is achieved in the back now slide gently a plastic wedge from the back and you will feel it unclip. Be gentle but the release is on the far rear of the wood console. Very simple but must be gentle. The window switches simply slide out but be gentle as not to break the plastic tabs that hold the switches in. Hope this helps.

[softconsult]

Great , you got it out. So did you find the screws that Pete mentioned?

On my '97 S320 I concluded that the tech who was in there before I bought the car had failed to replace screws at the rear of the ashtray area.

Steve

[gvanhouten]

Steve,

Someone was in there before and the screws are missing and I will replace them. Are you going to take yours out if so I will be more than happy to walk you through it. I can even take pictures of the latching mechanism so you can see before you do. Let me know.

George

[softconsult]

I appreciate the offer and will keep you in mind.

My need was to get the wood up enough to plug the mirror switch connector back on to the switch. Also I was installing an IPOD / Satellite Radio input
adapter and needed to route the line in wire back to the console. Like you I figured out that the wood must be pushed forward to release the catch. What I found was a broken black plastic clip at the rear of the wood and front of the console. The wood actually fits just fine and doesn't appear lose, so I may just leave it alone.

I am curious on this point. I saw your picture of the console with the radio out and the climate control out. The radio is easy. How does the climate control box come out? Where are the screws or release points? I didn't look this time, but eventually, I may have the need to do so.

Thanks,

Steve
'97S 320

[gvanhouten]

Steve,

For the climate control it comes out the same way the radio comes out. If you look at the bottom left and right corners you see the slot to slide in the radio tool make sure you have these tools. Very simple. Hope this helps.

[softconsult]

Thanks, feeling stupid for not seeing the slots. I have the removal tools.

Steve

[syljua]

Jusgt a warning from me. Be very careful with
this one-piece console wood on the w140!

The correct procedure is to take hold of the
latching mechanism with a wire loop at the back
of the gear surround. Once the loop has hold of
a tap, move this forward, and the back of the wood
can be lifted with a wedge. Here is one photo I took
while doing it;



br,
syljua

[softconsult]

The correct procedure is to take hold of the
latching mechanism with a wire loop at the back
of the gear surround. Once the loop has hold of
a tap, move this forward, and the back of the wood
can be lifted with a wedge. Here is one photo I took
while doing it;

Now I 'm really confused. I can guarantee there is no latching mechanism
at the back of the gear surround on my '97. There is a black plastic clip
located at the rear of the wood console.

What do you mean by "Once of the loop has of a tap"? Maybe a language thing. Don't know what a tap is.

Looks back piece of wire looks like it is suspended in mid air. Could be just
a photo problem.

Any chance European version has different attachment design?

What does the very back switch do? Don't have than on mine.

Steve

[syljua]

Originally Posted by softconsult

Now I 'm really confused. I can guarantee there is no latching mechanism
at the back of the gear surround on my '97. There is a black plastic clip
located at the rear of the wood console.

What do you mean by "Once of the loop has of a tap"? Maybe a language thing. Don't know what a tap is.

(please quote correctly... :-) )

Yes, perhaps. What about, a "knob"? It is there, under the wood
to free the back from the rest of the console.

Originally Posted by softconsult

Looks back piece of wire looks like it is suspended in mid air. Could be just
a photo problem.

Any chance European version has different attachment design?

Not a photo problem. Just my wood so shiny that it reflects... ;-)
No, no difference in US / Euro.

Originally Posted by softconsult

What does the very back switch do? Don't have than on mine.

Steve

That switch is for turning the park assistant (Park Tronic System, PTS) off.

br,
syljua

[softconsult]

Yes, typo on the quotation. Ok, I have to run hot wire from the radio area back into the console. I will take a close look at how the latch mechanism functions. I hope you are right, as that sounds like a simple way to remove the wood console.

Thanks ,

Steve