Hood Ornament Removal

[jim16671836]

What is the secret to removing the Hood (Mercedes Star) ornament. From the 60'a thru the 80's. Thank you Jim

Give it a good yank!!!!!!!



I don't really know! But I'll go out and see how mine comes off and report back.... BB

I still don't know! I looked at my star and it is hard for me to say just by looking at it, just as it probably was for you too! When I had my grill off a couple of years ago, it seems to me now that I had noticed an obvious means for it's removal. I know this info isn't worth much and not worth the time to even write this, but I did say I would check, soooooo, I hope someone else will fill in the blanks.................sorry BB

[immunity]

I park my car in New York City and every few days I see the hood ornament in a different position like someone has tried to 'yank' it off...Im glad its hard to get off and hope you if you guys find out you dont publicize it too much... ...not that Im implying anyone on this forum would 'ever' do something that henious....

Peac

[89-300ce]

If I recall correctly you have to grab the stamped steel part that is attached to the ornament from under the hood with a stout pair of pliers, pull down againt the spring, and then rotate it a bit (90deg.?). Be carefull when you release since the star will roll down your hood. It's easiest to understand if you have another in your hand to look at. One time mine was messed up when the ornament was stolen and the tang's were bent out making it impossible to fit back out through the hole. I had to cut the spring with a cut off wheel.

Jorg

[Ferdman]

Jim, the hood Star is held in place with a spring stretched over a retainer piece. Look closely at the underside of the grille with a flashlight and you'll see how the mechanism fits together. I removed the Star when I replaced the grille frame on our 1991 300CE by using a curved pick to stretch the spring and needle nose pliers to remove/replace the retainer. It's much easier when the grille is off the car because you can turn the grille upside down, but still tricky ... probably easier with a helper. I did it alone. I'll bet it's a real bear replacing the hood Star with the grille on the car. No doubt the service techs have a tool to simplify the job.

[jylee]

It is easier with the grill assembly removed, the grill is held on by a few screws.

Jack

[230/8]

No, no, no,...step one, put your baseball cap on backward...

230/8

[Rockman59]

89-300CE said: If I recall correctly you have to grab the stamped steel part that is attached to the ornament from under the hood with a stout pair of pliers, pull down againt the spring, and then rotate it a bit (90deg.?).
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That's the way I replaced my Star. When you order a replacement Star the removal and installation directions will be included.

[Wes Bender]

I always got mine removed for free by parking near the local high school.

[KCampbell]

Originally Posted by Rockman59

89-300CE said: If I recall correctly you have to grab the stamped steel part that is attached to the ornament from under the hood with a stout pair of pliers, pull down againt the spring, and then rotate it a bit (90deg.?).
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That's the way I replaced my Star. When you order a replacement Star the removal and installation directions will be included.

Same here, for what it's worth. New one went in easier than the old stub came out, I ended up twisting and wrecking the retaining clip getting the old part out.

Kevin

[89-300ce]

If the pull and rotate method doesn't get it out then chances are that the tangs on the stamped steel retaining ring have spread ( when the little vandal pulled up hard on the star) and it just can't fit out through the hole again. At this point you have to cut the spring allowing the star part to come out the top of the hood and the retaining ring out the bottom.

89-300CE

[clean1scene]

Originally Posted by 89-300ce

If the pull and rotate method doesn't get it out then chances are that the tangs on the stamped steel retaining ring have spread ( when the little vandal pulled up hard on the star) and it just can't fit out through the hole again. At this point you have to cut the spring allowing the star part to come out the top of the hood and the retaining ring out the bottom.

89-300CE

I have a 1982 300SD that came with a broken star. I ordered a new one and it did not come with install instructions. The old one was held in with some kind of hard adhesive. If I understand the above instructions, when I insert the ornament into the hole I need to pull and twist it. Is this correct?

[mendodiesel]

oK BUT NO ONE here is giving us a diy of the procedure,ive seen it done,theres no pulling,place the star and turn 90 degrees,what i dont recall is if its a right or left turn.

[jim16671836]

I have done 3-4 now and it is fairly easy... you do need to pull and turn the outer portion 90 degrees... you pull so that the outer portion will after turning counterclockwise 90 degrees ends up on a small lip. You can not turn it without pulling on it or you will mess it up... when you turn it just line it up with the opening... exactly 90 degrees... Jim