I am a newbie with my first benz. This car came from Florida and the dash has separated (curved up and away) from where it joins the right side of the center console. I suppose the sun caused this, although the rest of the interior is great. I am trying to figure out how to get into this area and see if ther is a way to pull it back down so it mates with the top of the center console nicely. The passenger air bag is right beside this area (I know enough to disconnect the battery well ahead of time) but I can not determine how to get this lower part of the dash opened up so I can get in there. I have in-depth experience with BMW's, dash removal, etc., but this one has me stymied. Are there screws behind the wood trim strip, and if so, how does one get this trim off without breaking it? Can anyone out there help me with this? I have the factory CD set and this is not covered. Thanks much for your thoughts.

Garry Powell

Gary,

Don't try to remove the wood strip on the airbag. Instead, remove the airbag. Look up while under the r/h lower dash panel and you will see a deep hole. Insert a 10mm socket w/extension to remove this bolt and the airbag will slide out. You will then have access to a number of screws that hold various dash components in place. Note that there is a hidden screw that prevents the removal of the lower dash panel that is only accessible AFTER removing the r/h A/C vent assembly.

Good luck,

Ray

Thanks Ray. I will now venture forth and hopefully find a way to pull the dash back down to the top of the center console where it should be. This is a nice car which I plan to sell but I want ti to be right first. Garry.

Would it also be good advice to disconnect the battery prior to uninstalling an air bag?

Haasman

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

Absolutely! In fact I think it is a good idea to disconnect the battery a little ahead of time to let any capacitors in the SRS module discharge prior to messing around with air bags. Thanks for the thought.