You don't use radio hooks on a 163 (ML) to remove the cluster, it's all straight disassembly work. I agree that it just needs bulbs replaced though, I would be surprised if they haven't been done before, very common failure in the clock and odometer display, and outside temp display if the truck has an outside temp display, surprisingly many 98's didn't have this yet, it was an option.
The ML cluster will come out without the steering wheel being removed, BTW.

Both of the available radios have the weather band feature.
If you look at the radio preset buttons numbered 1 through 6, the "WB" button is just before the #1 radio preset buttons on both styles of 98 radios. (No the WB isn't for listening to the audio of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, or Smallville)

Gilly