seo, where are you in Maine? I'm on Mount Desert Island. If you're rather close by I'll do it for you if you need. The dieselgiant.com has a Mercedes repair section and a pictorial of how to do it. I did it on mine and it's rolled 20,000 miles since. Instead of using glue though, I lightly knurled my shaft with a pair of pliers.... that gear will NEVER slip again!
I've popped my dash in and out 4 or 5 times, I bet I could do it in an hour or so.... just bring me some Power Service or something. PM me if you want help. -Luke