On the 88 W124 the climate control is held in by two large screws and four small ones that hold the upper panel to the switch bar. Once you remove those screws, it just slides out.

However, I cannot say if yours is the same!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!