I have stumbled upon a good tool to use for the removal of the 124 instrument panel on my 87 300D. I happened to have two paint can openers, you know the ones that the paint store gives away with a bottle opener on one end and a sort of bent straight blade screw driver on the other end. Two of these used together inserted into the crevice between the dash and the instr. panel worked very well to remove the panel. Just insert and pull hard. And better than a bent coat hanger because the paint can lid opener is flattened and doesn't mar the dash vinyl.

DS
87 300D

Sweet!

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Gabriel
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1983 300D Turbo, metallic brown - "Clarence Brown"
169,000mi / 0-60 9.5 sec.

Will this method work on a 1998 S500?

Tks
BB

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'98 S500 W140.051 119.980

The paint can opener method wins the cost race but they are little too fat for the job - which can result in some damage to the dash. Nothing works as well as the factory tool - which cost about $10 each, or $20 total.

Actually, they are not too fat for the job, because they are flattened out like a screwdriver. No damage to my dash, in fact, hardly a mark at all, and I've now had the d***ed thing out twice!

DS
87 300D

On a really tight instrument panel they can do damage - I've done it. They work - but for ease of use and minimum risk of damage, there's nothing as good as the factory tool.

here are two links to some threads which describe the removal of the vents to the right and left of the instrument cluster, which is another way of getting the cluster out. I think it is better because there is no chance whatsoever of scraping or damaging the cluster, and you don't have to buy or make any tools. It can easily be grabbed and pulled out with the vents removed.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=72958&highlight=vent+removal+300e

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=100432&highlight=vent+removal+300e

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headrivenoise... listen.

I fabricated a set of pullers modeled after the MB tool. Pulled the cluster with no problem when I replaced the climate control actuators. Recently I decided I had had enough of that dang buzzer, so I pulled the cluster again to access it. Cluster came out ok but the plexiglass lens popped off the cluster!!! I tried plastic cement to hold it on but it keeps falling off. If anyone knows what kind of glue will hold it on I would be grateful!!

Cap'n,
You might want to try a good plastic epoxy from your local auto parts store. You just can't beat epoxy. Just make sure you do a test to find an applicator that will lay down the right size bead within your drying time before you do the real thing.

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-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831799&postcount=13
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831807&postcount=14