No slack in 190e instrument cluster cable
 

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

Under hood where?
 

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.

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.

T'anks
 

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.

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.

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