My objective is to pull the instrument cluster in my 400SE. According to a previous post, I need to first remove the one-piece driver's carpet and relieve the tension on the speedo cable.

Does the "Cover Below the Instrument Panel" (i.e. what I will call the kickpanel) need to be removed? The AllData procedure doesn't mention removing the kickpanel--but it seems necessary in order to get the driver's carpet out.

Has anyone removed the driver's carpet?

If the kickpanel has to be removed, where are the screws holding it in. I found two up under and one inside the side air grate--but I can't find any screws on the front. The Alldata procedure shows two screws near the steering post and says "hold cover down for access". I can't find a cover in the kickpanel. (I've tried pulling down on the entire kickpanel; it's tight.)

Has anyone removed the driver's kickpanel?


1992 400SE 119,000 miles
1971 220D (Sold)
1970 22OD (Sold)

I've managed to answer my own questions, so will document here what I have learned.

The AllData diagram is wrong about removal of the driver's kickpanel. There are no screws holding the front of the kickpanel near the steering column. There are four screws (two up under, one in the side vent, and the right-hand screw attaching the brake release lever) and the front is held by two pop-in clips .

So to remove the kickpanel, you remove the four screws and give a couple of sharp downward blows on the carpeted kickpanel to release it from the pop-in clips.

And, yes, you do have to remove the kickpanel in order to remove the driver's carpet.

And, no, there is no speedometer cable or clip (as reported in a previous post regarding removal of the instrument cluster) after you remove the carpet.

I did clean up the grounds (left-hand footwell) while I was in there. Now putting it back together.

You also can remove the l/h speaker cover and l/h vent. Reach in and push.


Joe

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Joe,

Thanks for reminding me of that option to go through the speaker.

I tried the coat-hanger routine and was VERY gentle--for fear of cracking the face plate (as I understand it's about a $550 mistake). I put soap bubbles all the way around the instrument cluster and applied alternating tension with the coat hangers.

However, I didn't get the instrument cluster out--and had finally resolved to buy the proper Mercedes tools.

But I like your idea. I will give it a try.

Ed

Screws #2 and #3 on this drawing do not actually exist on my vehicle. The front of the kickpanel is being held by two pop-in fasteners.

So, you have to remove screws #4, #5, #6, and #7. Then you have to give a sharp downward blow to the carpeted kickpanel--on each side of the steering column--to get the kickpanel out of the pop-in fasteners.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Joe,

The instrument cluster is out. Your suggestion was a winner!

Removing the speaker grill and the left vent and pushing from the back is a great way to get the instrument cluster out. It was much better than trying to pull from the front.

To my pleasant surprise, I found only four plugs on the back of my instrument cluster--and no speedometer cable (I should have realized that it's a digital speedo and wouldn't have wasted time looking for a speedo cable).

I've learned that I have to take these postings with tongue in cheek--as my experience removing the instrument cluster was quite different from what others have reported in this forum. There was no need to take up the carpet, there was no speedometer cable.

Also I did not find the soldered-in light bulbs (outside temperature and odometer lights) that others have mentioned. Happily, mine were the twist-out light bulbs.

Ed