removing instrument cluster

[keithdavidson]

Does anyone know how to remove the instrument cluster without specialist tools (was told by Merc dealer that they can no longer sell these to the public!!).
Thanks
Keith

 

[BlackC55]

Push it from behind.

 

[recycled]

Push it from behind.

Oh dear
what are you thinking of?

 

[Gollom]

Does anyone know how to remove the instrument cluster without specialist tools (was told by Merc dealer that they can no longer sell these to the public!!).
Thanks
Keith

Knowing the car would help Keith

 

[LeighW]

If all else fails, try EBAY

 

[neilrr]

You can make a working copy of the MB dash pulling tools in about 5 mins. with a clothes hanger & a pair of pliers.

 

[keithdavidson]

Knowing the car would help Keith

Good point. It's a 2000 X reg E Class Estate 320 CDi Avantgarde.
Thanks
KD

 

[keithdavidson]

You can make a working copy of the MB dash pulling tools in about 5 mins. with a clothes hanger & a pair of pliers.

Thanks. Any more info on the shape the clothes hanger needs to be and where the insertion point on the cluster is?
(The car is an E Class 320CDi Est 2000 X)
Regards
KD

 

[television]

The insertion points are one each side in the center ½ way up.

I do have to agree that this car is impossible to push it out from behind, you can just get your hand in there and thats it

 

[neilrr]

The last picture gives the best shot of this tool. It's just a piece of wire with the end tuned up about 5-6 mms.

http://www.poundhost.com/mbclub-file/sym/cluster3.htm

 

[Dec]

Just a word of warning, I found the left side would not budge, so I applied brute force, the hook slipped and caught the edge of the glass taking a chunk with it, so easy dose it and plenty of patience.

Dec

 

[neilrr]

Just a word of warning, I found the left side would not budge, so I applied brute force, the hook slipped and caught the edge of the glass taking a chunk with it, so easy dose it and plenty of patience.

Dec

An expensive ouch.

 

[Dieselman]

If this cluster hasn't been out before it will be very stiff to move.
Wedge a couple of flatblade screwdrivers into the sides just by the wood dash trim and lever it out.

 

[jaymanek]

If this cluster hasn't been out before it will be very stiff to move.
Wedge a couple of flatblade screwdrivers into the sides just by the wood dash trim and lever it out.

err id be careful doing that, ive damaged wood in the past doing that, the cluster pullers are the best and make sure that they are in past the little grey marker on them and you shouldnt have an issue..

 

[Dieselman]

Mine wouldn't come out with the pullers as it was so stiff. Had to resort to the screwdrivers. If passed down the edge of the wood trim they can't scratch.

 

[jaymanek]

no they cant scratch but they can crack the lacquery stuff leaving a nasty mark... they can be very hard, but if you get the pullers positioned right, it will come out!

 

[BlackC55]

Use some silicone spray too that helps.

 

[Dec]

An expensive ouch.

Actually not neilrr, I got a whole instrument cluster for £20 from scrap yard, switched the glass and now have a very useful cluster for bulb reference.

Dec

 

[television]

Actually not neilrr, I got a whole instrument cluster for £20 from scrap yard, switched the glass and now have a very useful cluster for bulb reference.

Dec

Why not put it in the passenger side and wire the speedo up so that it indicates 20mph less than what the car is doing = peaceful motoring

 

[neilrr]

MB cluster pulling hooks.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-Pull...ryZ10398QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem