How do I remove the zibrano center panel on my 420sel - do I need a special tool?

The horizontal panel that surrounds the gearshift, or the vertical one above the ashtray that has the climate control buttons, etc.?

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

the one the gear shift

thanks

Remove the ashtray, then the 2 phillips screws to remove the metal 'cage' it fits into. Uplug the connectors. Remove the plastic tray by lifting from the front, then slide the wood piece forward and up to remove.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

Do you happen to know the part numbers for the plastic tray under the console cover? I need a picture of it or part or diagram to restore it. Someone in the past must have removed or broken it; the console cover is loose, and they tried to fix it to the underside with an adhesive.

Thanks! Linda

If you have a late 420 with the brake shift interlock you will also have to pry off the black plastic trim around the gearshift. It can take a lot of force to do this.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

The wood and plastic are (originally) a single unit, if broken apart you probably need a whole new assembly....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Yep. I tried to get the plastic and it came as apart of the wood. That was a bummer.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

As I said, not on LATE cars with the brake shift interlock. The black trim must be removed as it holds the wood trim in place. There are 2 tabs on each long side of the trim, they pull straight up for removal.

Note that this procedure is not listed in the W126 service manual.

On these cars the plastic switch carrier attached to the bottom of the wood trim is held on with staples. I wish they had glued it

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.