Hello: I am trying to remove the instrument cluster in my 1989 190e, and I cannot seem to get enough slack to get my hand behind it to remove the speedo cable. I haven't been able to find any place that I can get my hand on the cable to push it, and I can only get the cluster out enough so it just barely clears the surround, and it's just enough to make me think "I only need about one and a half more inches and I'll get it". Can anyone give me any guidance on where I can get some slack in this cable? Thanks.

you need to disconnect the cable at the transmisson to allow for enough slack, also under hood there may be a plastic clip on the speedo cable that will also need to be released

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1967 250 S
1967 280SE
1968 250S
1971 280 SE
1973 220
1974 280 S
1975 450 SEL
1976 220 D
1979 300SD
1983 300 SD
1985 230 TE euro
1986 280SL
1986 500 SEL euro
1986 190E 2.3
1990 300 SE
2003 C230 K
2004 C230 K
1987 560SEL
1987 300SDL now in canada
2005 C230
1998 C43 AMG Sold to DON
1993 190E 2.6
300TD Former daily driver Totaled
current:
R320 CDI
Ram 2500 Cummins

Thanks. Can you direct me to where under the hood to get ahold of it? If it's obvious, then I'll confess to being somewhat blind - but I haven't found it yet. Thanks.

What Carson said about connected to the tranny will do it. It is attached to a bracket on the tranny with a plastic clip. Pop that clip out and that's all you need. The car needs to be elevated to access the clip.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

Just did mine Thursday (86 190D). Releasing the two clips on and near the trans gave enough slack (without disconnecting the cable itself) to pull the cluster enough to get a hand behind it. The manual says to remove the bottom dash bolster and vent so that you could address it from inside the car.

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Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

Thanks, everyone for the help and info.

it can also be done this way but is not recommended, the main issue is when pulling on the cluster out to unscrew the cable, this will cause the outer housing of the speedometer cable to stretch, once this happens the inner cable will not be long enough to reach the part it needs to on the speedometer to allow it to turn, end result cable will need to be replaced.

__________________
1967 250 S
1967 280SE
1968 250S
1971 280 SE
1973 220
1974 280 S
1975 450 SEL
1976 220 D
1979 300SD
1983 300 SD
1985 230 TE euro
1986 280SL
1986 500 SEL euro
1986 190E 2.3
1990 300 SE
2003 C230 K
2004 C230 K
1987 560SEL
1987 300SDL now in canada
2005 C230
1998 C43 AMG Sold to DON
1993 190E 2.6
300TD Former daily driver Totaled
current:
R320 CDI
Ram 2500 Cummins

I find it much easier to remove the left vent assembly so that you can reach in from the dash. Have done it several times this way, quick and much cleaner than crawling under the car. Makes it easy to re-assemble also.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Thanks: I will try the vent first and go on from there.