I would just like to add. Be CAREFULL! If the hooks slip you can rip the front of the clusters face off and if you are real lucky break it at the same time....don't ask

fasthair

I have an 86 300sdl. I'm trying to pull out the gauge cluster but it's not budging. I couldn't find a speedo cable under the dash. Is there something else I need to do or just pull harder?
thanks
dave

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1986 300SDL

Dave, I'd recommend that you not yank any harder and remove the screws that secure under dash panel in the driver's footwell. With a light, locate the threaded cable to the speedo and if necessary, remove the pressure fitted a/c ducting to the side vent to gain better access. Disconnect the speedo cable before pulling the custer to eliminate the risk of a jumpy needle at low speed due to stretching. Once you've disconnected the speedo cable, you can PUSH the cluster out from the back without the use of any hooks.

Thanks. As it turns out, my car has an electronic speedo. I removed the left front speaker and pushed the cluster out a little. Once it was free, I used my home made puller on the other side and got it out. All for nothing however. My replacement temperature readout did not work. I guess the problem is in the sending unit or wiring. It looks better than the old one. Now it's one shade of grey not half black.
Dave

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1986 300SDL

Link to another thread on How to Remove the Instrument Cluster.

How big a deal to remove the instrument cluster on '83 240D?

Sorry for bringing up an old thread, but I wanted to add a note for those who may be searching for this in the future.

I wanted to pull my cluster to fix the odometer. However, mine was super-duper stuck.

-I read about making hooks out of coat hangers. I did this and had no luck at all getting the cluster to move.
-I read about pulling the lower panel off and pushing it from behind, however on my 124 I had a hard time getting my paw up there.
-I read about pulling the climate control vents for better access to the sides of the cluster, but the vents wouldn't come off after some hard pulling and I didn't want to break them.
-Finally, I read about pulling the speaker out and pushing the cluster from behind. So easy!! The speaker comes out in a minute flat. Stuck my hand back there and got the cluster out. Seems the last time some one put the cluster in they got some wires wedged between the retaining clips and the dash making the cluster super duper stuck into the dash.

Bottom line, for clusters that won't move, I found pushing it from the speaker cavity to be the easiest. It also seems like the easiest/quickest method of the 4 I tried. Wish I would've tried it first!

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1987 300D - Frybrid - sold
1985 300SD

Brewer gave me the tip on how to remove the speaker as the pre-step to cluster removal and I thought I should share it after having success (on 1989 300CE)



I agree that

Quote:

Bottom line, for clusters that won't move, I found pushing it from the speaker cavity to be the easiest.

Thanks a lot Brewer.

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1996 E320 since 1/16/08, 171K miles as of Feb 2011

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1989 300CE - R.I.P. Dec 29 2007
Other MBs (sold): 1992 300E-24 - 1979 350SLC - 1984 230E - 1990 300CE

I need to remove the cluster out of my 2001 E55 b/c the bulbs are out. This post was very helpful, thank you.

BTW I tried to pull the thing out w/ homemade coat hanger wire, but forgetaboutit.. will be buying the tool, the thing's stuck on there pretty good.

someone else told me that when he saw the MB tech remove the cluster, he thought he'd break the thing into little pieces b/c he was pulling so hard. i guess it just takes some brute FORCE for this job.

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Current cars:
2001 MB E55 AMG
2003 Honda S2000
2000 Honda CRV

Gone but not forgotten:
2004 BMW 325i 5sp sport
1999 BMW 540i sport
1997 MB E420
1995 BMW M3 coupe

Dave your photo's and info are greatly appreciated thanks form a new guy to the group.
Martin

1st Merecdes..this things kick but...better mileage on the road than my toyota camry v6..who'd a thought that...and the hp...WOW

Took me a bit to find this...but it's great...I'm confident enough to try it now.

I understand it is actually MUCH more difficult to replace the cluster than to remove it...anyone care to address this?

Jeff
69 - 113
82 - 107 Euro
85 - 201
99 - C230
69 - TR6
Others...generally newer and running!

That's the first I have every heard of this...all of the clusters I have ever removed were much easier to replace than to remove...basically they just press back into position in most cases...no big deal.

The cluster in my SLK (R170) was a bear to get out. I wanted to replace one of the light bulbs and landed up removing the entire dash face top and bottom drivers side just to get to it...what a fiasco of a design that one was. It took me the better part of 2 hours just to replace a burned out cluster bulb...no excuse for that other than they just consider nobody would be crazy enough to spend 2 hours doing it or to pay someone to do it for them...I could just see my local stealer charging $200 for that.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

First: Both speed/odo rebuilders I spoke with (out of Hemmings) quoted normal rebuild is $120 to $150.

Both also said that on my 107 body, the re-install gets weird...the cables and wires are very short and there is no room to get a hand behind it and hook up/screw on, what was fairly easy to disconnect. One suggested disconnecting speedo cable from bottom and trying to make some slack can help.

It must be a pretty old 107 to have a speedo cable...most of the later ones used electronics. Yes, generally with cars that had speedo cables there is a place under the hood near the firewall where they are wire-tied in place that if you loosen them there will be more slack in the cable...post the question in the SL section and you might get better responses.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Does an 87 W124 have a cable or electronic speedo?

If cable, where do I disconnect it to get the instrument cluster out..?? At the floor near the steering column or reaching in behind instruments from the bottom...or from speaker hole?

Warren C.

Does this work for a 95 C220? I guess I don't know all the terminology.

TY
VS