Working on 1985 380 SE. Have to remove the instrument cluster.
Is it necessary to remove the steering wheel ?

The replacement cluster has a speedo which only goes to 85 MPH.
The speedo in the MB goes to 160 MPH.
Will the replacement speedo fit/work with out problems ?

Pls advise.

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THANK YOU. CONRAD

Thanks for swift reply.

The cluster to be installed came from MB 1985 380SEC (Coupe. 3.8/234 CID)
The vin # WDBCA43AXCB001315.

My VIN # WDBCA32C8FA167713 MB 1985 380 SE SEDAN.

Will the cluster with the 85 MPH speedo fit into the cluster
with the 160 MPH and actually function/work. Will the tach work ?

I do appreciate the time & energy of these replies.

__________________
THANK YOU. CONRAD

i believe the speedo depends on the rear axle ratio ~~~ if the rear ratio is the same in both 85's should be no problem, tachs should be the same unit

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1989 300ce smoke silver / brazil, in a constant state of flux ~~~

My error. The donor MB cluster is an 1982 380 SEC. 2 dr/Coupe 8 cyl.
I listed it as an 1985.

Who knows the rear axle ratio ? Not a common piece of car talk, is it ?

__________________
THANK YOU. CONRAD

probably find those 2 cars in MB specs as to what the standard rear ratios were, and also the optional ratios ~~~ your ratio is stamped on the side of your rear end

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1989 300ce smoke silver / brazil, in a constant state of flux ~~~

My apologies about the steering wheel removal, I was in the SL forum and inadvertently advised wrong. You do not have to remove the steering wheel on the 380SE to remove the cluster.

That said, since the cluster removal is very easy (do a search if you need to get specifics), compare the connections at the back to ensure compatability. If they are the same, I'd just swap the clusters and go for a drive to check how the speedo and tach operate.

I have changed tachs in older Mercedes and found that the 8 and 6 cylinder models are not compatible, which is not an issue in your case, so the tachs should both work fine.

I'm stumped on the 85 MPH speedometer though. The 116 engine will certainly propel its chassis to well over that limit. Are you sure that this isn't a Kilometer thing? Cars sold in Canada have the primary readout in KPH, U.S. cars have KPH in smaller yellow numbers.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

The donor cluster reads: 85 MPH. (Big Numbers) 160/170 KPH. (small numbers)

So, a swift swap and a test drive may be the answer...

Again, the donor is a 1982 MB 380 SEC (2dr/Coupe) 8 cyl..

My MB is a 1985 380 SE (4dr/Sedan) 8 cyl.

__________________
THANK YOU. CONRAD

Not sure if you go the answer about the steering wheel removal or not, but you do not have to remove it. If things seem right, remember that you should have a telescoping steering wheel (look for button on the column, at the 9 o'clock position.

I searched through a few W126 links that I have left, and couldn't find anything about the differentials - sorry.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

looks like a swap and go if both are U.S. models ~~~ U.S. had 2.47s and euro's were 3.27s on those 2 years and models

info from mercedes benz production models book 1946-1990 by nitske

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1989 300ce smoke silver / brazil, in a constant state of flux ~~~

As an alternative to swapping, check the DIY section for repair information, should the issue be the odometer not working. FYI, I did a write up on this some time ago, and others have covered this repair on the older, mechanical speedomter versions. Odometer Repair VDO Electronic version
You might also be able to use gears from the donor to fix the broken one, but more than likely they are on their way out anyway from years of use.. Of course, the cluster has to come out in any event, so you could change the entire cluster, or just the speedometer and/or tachometer too. These clusters, and the instruments themselves, are extremely simple to take apart and re-assemble.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

My '85 380SE doesn't have a telescoping column. Was this an option back then?

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

No, 126 had telescoping column starting MY1986

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
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