'93 (W124) 220 TE Instrument Cluster
 

I am having extreme difficulty in removing my binnacle/instrument cluster to renew bulbs.
Can you help ? I have read the threads and also the very helpful and clear instruction contained in http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124InstCluster – but am still not able to budge the cluster
Haynes says there are 2 ways to remove binnacle/cluster
1) from underneath dash and ease cluster out from the rear by hand or
2) using removal tools pull out of binnacle from the front via insertion of the tools at the side of the cluster and ease out.
Initially I could not see any way to easily remove the under dash trim so I made two removal tools, disconnected the speedo cable at gearbox and tried to “pull” the cluster out of binnacle. I have stopped that now as I am concerned about breaking/twisting the housing due to the amount of pull I have been having to exert ( with no positive effect)- also I am damaging the trim immediately adjacent to the binnacle. I have used a putty knife inserted at the side to see that any clips are released and as far as I can feel there is no “obstruction” preventing the unit pulling out.
I am now looking to try to release it from the rear from under the dash- and come up against the underdash removal issue
Looking at the trim under the dash - I have removed the lower black plastic steering column cowl– and have removed 2 screw bolts which clearly secure the grey trim. I am stymied by the handbrake release handle which I cannot see how to disengage ( Haynes says 2 screws, pull out the handle and disengage the cable - mine will not pull out to effect that) Once the handbrake release handle is removed - how does the bottom half (grey) trim disengage from the upper (dark) trim carrying the light switch and headlight adjuster panel & and the ignition switch (left of steering column) - Haynes says remove 6 screws and drop the trim – but my configuration is not as they say. – see photo
Any help will be much appreciated