Removing the Instrument Cluster

The instrument cluster in this car is fairly easy to remove, with the right technique and tools. I strongly suggest you buy a set of removal tools that are specifically made to pull the cluster out. They are available on eBay, among other places.

There are people who use the pulling tools alone, and others that remove the driver side air vent to remove the cluster. I found that both methods combined was the best method for me. A word of warning to you...it is very easy to damage the cluster, as I unfortunately found out (*^%$#@). This was even using the proper tools! So, to give yourself the best chance of avoiding damage, use these instructions.

Tools needed: Cluster removal tools. Flat blade and Phillips screwdrivers. Needle nose pliers.

Move the steering wheel down and towards you as much as possible. Pull the A pillar cover off. Pull on the bottom, towards the passenger side. It is held in place with spring clips. You do not need to remove it completely.
Leave the top in place, and pivot the bottom out as shown.
Pop the speaker cover out using a flat blade screwdriver. Be careful not to scratch the vent.
There are two clips. Once you have it popped up a little bit, take a peek underneath it so you can see the tabs holding the cover in place.
Remove the two Phillips screws.
Using a flat blade screwdriver, carefully persuade the two ratchet-type tabs at the bottom of the vent up and out of their mating slots. Again, use caution so you don't scratch the vent.
Start pulling the vent out of the dash from the bottom, then straight out.

Now stick your hand into the opening, and get your fingers behind the cluster. Push with increasing force until the left side of the cluster starts coming out. Keep pushing it out as far as you can.

STOP!!!!  Read this carefully! You can see the small broken-off area on the cluster when I tried to use the tools to pull the cluster out. Take my word for it, although the garage was closed, I'm sure my neighbors heard my primordial roar when I broke the frame. I am actually lucky, as many people break the clear lens. That would really be bad. I was able to find the broken piece, and glue it back in place. It's barely noticeable now. By pushing the cluster out by hand, you get the cluster past the hardest sticking points. Once you have popped it out of it's holding tabs, it's safer to use the hook tools. The tools do not fit very well into the grooves of the cluster.

I was not able to completely remove the cluster by hand. I needed to use one of the hooks to pull on the right side to get the cluster out. But since it was past the hardest part, it was easy to use the tool to pull it out the rest of the way.

One MB owner was successful using vacuum cup pullers attached to the clear lens.  Another MB owner tried this and cracked the clear lens. If you decide to use the vacuum cups, BE CARFEUL!
Out comes the cluster.
There are 4 wire bundles on my car. All of them are socket connections, and pulled out easily.
The cluster is out.	The back side. There are two types of bulbs in the cluster. 1.2 and 2.0 watt bulbs. They each use a different bulb holder. One is blue, the other is black. The bulbs in the black holders are replaceable. The blue bulb holders are an assembly, and it does not appear that the bulbs alone can be easily replaced.
Twist the bulb holder 90 degrees counter clockwise and out the holder out of the cluster. You can use a needle nose pliers, but squeeze the holder GENTLY. Use an ohmmeter to check all the bulb filaments. The filament may look good even if it's broken. Larger of the two types of bulbs is not marked with a part number. It is simply identified as "Philips 12V 2W France". I used a Sylvania 158 bulb in it's place, and the illumination level looks good. The smaller bulb looks like a unique Mercedes bulb. I did not record the part number.
Clean all the bulbs off when you take them out. Mine had a residue on the glass which I wiped off.
MB part number for the cluster
VDO part number for the cluster.
You're ready to put the cluster back in. Hook up all the wire bundles, and push the cluster back into it's opening, but not all the way. Turn on your lights to verify that all bulbs are working properly. If they are, push the cluster in all the way. Make sure it is fully seated. Touch up your dash where the pulling tool was used with a vinyl or leather product. Well Done!

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