Help - I have tried for 2 hours to figure out how to remove the two knobs on my center console panel that have the blower motor switch, and the temp cotrol unit mounted to them on my 77 350SL. I have pulled pretty hard and they won't come off, and I'm afraid to pull any harder as these puppies are pretty expensive.

Can anyone help before I have to call it quits for the weekend?

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92 300E - 116K miles - Sold
77 Euro 350SL - 67k miles
94 Explorer 147k miles
2009 Hyundai Genesis - 65k miles

Are you talkin about the twist knob for the blower motor and/or the AC dial knob? If the same as contemporary 114/115's then you roll the rim of the knob off the center circle piece with chrome ring and swirl pattern that labels the knob. These are plastic round center caps that pop out to access a nut behind em that holds the switch in place.

David, The knobs you refer to are 1. Air conditioner on/off control with a blue band. Black knob with chrome inner ring. 2. Fan speed knob graduated markings 1,11,111. Identical in appearance. Mounted vertically on zebrano wood dash panel below radio. The knobs are just a push fit, there are no nuts securing the knobs, they have no internal threads, so do not screw on/off. Purely push fit. They are tight to remove and sometimes difficult to push back on, but they do pop off. Yes they are expensive to replace! There are nuts behind the knob that secure the switch assembly to the zebrao wood panel once knobs are off. Hope that helps.

1983 280SL

You have described them perfectly with the exception that mine are mounted horizontally. This is a Euro model, but I'm assuming that since you described the knobs exactly that the components are the same. I guess I'll get more forceful with them. I got all the interior completely out of the car today - seats, console, carpet, and was trying to get that last piece of of console out and thought I'd better quit and ask for help before I did something I would regret.

Thanks, and BTW do you know a good place to get used parts? I'm looking for a steering wheel for the same model. The last owner of the car replaced the original wheel with a wood wheel, and I don't particularly care for the looks of the wood wheel. I'm wondering if the wheel would be the same as a later model American 450 or 560, 280 wheel? The place where I usually get body / interior parts for my 92 300E doesn't carry anything older that 88 model parts.

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92 300E - 116K miles - Sold
77 Euro 350SL - 67k miles
94 Explorer 147k miles
2009 Hyundai Genesis - 65k miles

If you want a brand new one then there's one for sale in the UK:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-107-SL-STEERING-WHEEL-VERY-RARE-NEW_W0QQitemZ200023366988QQihZ010QQcategoryZ10398QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Otherwise breakers are where I source my expensive and durable parts.

David, Can't help with parts, i'm in Brisbane, Australia! Regarding steering wheels, yours should be the larger spline. Early models had a noticeably thinner steering spline. Steering wheels off the following should fit, but always check the spline diameter to confirm before purchase. Pressing a plain piece of paper up against your steering wheel boss and getting an imprint of the female part of the splines works to use for a comparison.
W126 126 W124 124 W123 123 W201 201 W116 apparently fit from advice I've been given, use it as a guide and confirm spline size before buying. Just gives you a possible greater selection of these bus size steering jiggers! The best bet is the leather bound as opposed to the leather patterned rubber ones, more expensive but definately nicer, my opinion only. Good luck with the knobs!
Brian
280SL Euro 5 speed.