DIY Mercedes Dashboard Removal Guide for Beginners

Removing a dashboard might seem daunting, but with patience and the right guidance, even a beginner can tackle this task. This guide, inspired by hands-on experience, will walk you through the process of safely removing your Mercedes Dashboard, specifically tailored for models similar to the classic ’84 300SD. While this tutorial aims to be comprehensive, always prioritize safety and consult your Mercedes service manual for additional guidance. Remember, working on your car requires caution, and when in doubt, professional help is always recommended. Let’s get started on transforming your Mercedes interior!

1. Begin by removing the under-dash carpet panels located beneath the steering wheel and the glove box. These panels are typically secured with Phillips head screws. For the steering wheel side, locate three screws at the top of the panel, a plastic hook with a Phillips attachment on the right side, and a more hidden Phillips head screw on the left underside – you might need a flashlight and to lie down in the footwell to find this one. The glove box side panel is similar, with five Phillips head screws and a plastic hook, this time on the left.

2. For easier access and to keep your workspace clean, remove the front floor mats. Unbutton the center attachments to detach and remove the carpeting beneath the mats as well. This will provide more room and prevent damage to the interior carpeting during the dashboard removal process.

3. Safety first! DISCONNECT THE BATTERY to prevent any electrical mishaps during the dashboard removal. Next, maximize your workspace by moving both the passenger and driver’s seats all the way back. Recline the driver’s side backrest almost fully, leaving just a small gap between it and the rear seat. This creates ample room to maneuver and work comfortably within the car’s interior.

4. Carefully remove the glove box. Start by detaching the glove box door by unscrewing the four Phillips head screws securing the hinge to the dashboard. Then, using a flathead screwdriver, gently pry out the seven plastic clips located inside the glove box. Be extremely careful with these clips as they can be fragile and challenging to reinstall. Once the clips are released, remove the upper hinge, which is held by two small screws. Next, use the flathead screwdriver again to carefully pry out the glove box light. Gently detach the two wires connected to the light and tuck them safely into the opening to keep them out of the way. Finally, gently squeeze the glove box from the top and bottom while wiggling it until it comes free from its housing.

5. Remove the speaker grills and their associated screws. Each speaker cover has two small Phillips head screws at the front corners. After removing these, gently lift and slide the cover forward to detach it. Underneath, you’ll find two screws at the front of each speaker. Remove these as well. Locate the center plastic piece situated between the upper dash defrost vents. Carefully pry this piece upwards to access and remove the small nut hidden underneath it. This step prepares the upper dashboard area for removal.

6. Proceed to remove the steering wheel. In the center of the steering wheel, you’ll find the Mercedes star emblem. Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry it out. This will reveal a large hex nut that needs to be removed. A breaker bar or a wrench with a PVC pipe extension for added leverage might be necessary, as this nut is typically very tight for safety reasons. Once the nut is off, the steering wheel should pull straight off the steering column.

7. Disassemble the steering wheel stalk and combination switch assembly. You’ll need to get back into the footwell with a flashlight to access the electrical connections. Locate and disconnect the two large electrical connectors for both the combination stalk (windshield wipers, indicators, etc.) and the cruise control stalk. These connectors are positioned quite far up in the dashboard, so take your time to locate and carefully disconnect them. After disconnecting the wires, you will see three Phillips head screws exposed where the steering wheel was previously attached. Remove these screws. With the connectors and screws removed, the entire plastic steering wheel stalk surround and the attached switches should now slide out as a single unit.

8. Now, shift your focus to the center console area. Begin by lifting the carpet from the “tray” located beneath the armrest, between the seats. Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry along the edges and lift the carpet. It might be a bit resistant, but it is not glued down. Once removed, you’ll see a hole that was covered by the carpet. Using a long Phillips head screwdriver, reach down into this hole to remove the screw located there. This screw helps secure the center console.

9. Remove the ashtray assembly. Pull the entire ashtray assembly out and then remove the actual ashtray insert. This will reveal two Phillips screws. Remove these screws to release the ashtray assembly further, allowing you to pull it forward. Disconnect the electrical connector for the ashtray light and remove the bulb from its slot. The coin tray, usually color-matched to your interior and located just below the ashtray, should slide backwards and can be wiggled out of its position.

10. Next is the removal of the center console wood trim. If you are planning to reuse your existing wood, exercise extreme caution in this step. The wood panel needs to slide backwards by about an inch, towards where the coin tray was located. Then, gently lift it upwards from the rear (shifter side). You will need to disconnect the wiring for the window switches, the radio speaker control switch, and the automatic mirror switch. These switches can be popped out from the top of the wood panel, which can make disconnecting them easier. The wood trim is held in place by four plastic clips that slide into the center console. This is why sliding the wood piece backwards first is crucial for removal without breaking these clips. Broken clips can cause the wood trim to fit loosely upon reinstallation. After disconnecting the switches, carefully tuck the wires back into their original positions.

11. Address the upper section of the center console. The first step here is to remove the radio. For a stock Becker unit, you’ll need radio removal keys or slim flathead screwdrivers. Insert these tools into the slots on either side of the radio faceplate. Gently pry downwards on the small metal tabs you’ll feel just below the radio while simultaneously pulling the radio outwards. It might be helpful to have someone assist you with this step. Once the radio starts to slide out, carefully pull it free and disconnect the numerous connections at the back – there can be around six or more depending on your car’s options.

12. Consider taking a break from the center console and move to the instrument cluster. Mercedes-Benz instrument clusters are designed to be removed with a special hook tool. You can often borrow this tool from a local Mercedes mechanic. Alternatively, some DIYers have reported success using bent coat hangers. Insert the hook tool on the right side of the instrument cluster and gently pull it outwards. You can also try pushing it out from behind if the under-dash carpet has been removed. Once the cluster is accessible, disconnect the many electrical connectors at the back. There may be around eight or so connections. While it’s a good idea to be organized, the connectors are generally designed to be unique, so reconnection is usually intuitive (square connectors go into square sockets, etc.).

13. Return to the center console. With the radio removed, you can now work on removing the wood surround for the climate control panel and the upper switchgear. Look at the bottom edge of this wood trim, where the radio was previously located. You will see two small Phillips head screws. Remove these screws. Once removed, gently slide the wood piece downwards and forwards, towards you. This should release it from its position. Then, carefully disconnect each of the electrical switch connections attached to the back of this wood trim piece.

14. The center console is almost ready for complete removal, but there’s one final step. Now that the climate control panel wood is removed, you will see two screws that attach the center console directly to the dashboard. These are located on the inner edge, partially hidden by the dashboard’s lower lip. Look upwards and underneath where the climate control/upper switchgear wood was attached to find these two screws. Remove them. Now, peering into the large opening created by removing the radio, climate control unit, etc., you might see a piece of insulation. If it’s still there, you’ll need to deal with the rear air vent control cable. Move the rear air vent control lever back and forth and observe the plastic knob and metal coil underneath the insulation moving. You must VERY GENTLY detach the metal coil from the plastic knob after first removing the small metal clip that secures the cable. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO BREAK THE PLASTIC KNOB, as it is fragile and essential for the air vent control function.

15. With all the attachments and screws removed, you should now be able to remove the entire center console. Lift it from the rear and use a combination of gentle pulling and pushing to maneuver it out. Removing the center console is a significant step in the dashboard removal process, giving you much more access to the remaining dashboard components.

16. The next step involves removing the A-pillar trim pieces. This can be one of the more challenging parts, requiring a balance of force and finesse to avoid damage. First, pry the felt door surround away from the A-pillar trim. Then, use a screwdriver or a similar wedge-shaped tool to apply distributed force between the door edge and the A-pillar trim. The A-pillar trim is held in place by two clips. The goal is to pry the A-pillar outwards to release these clips. For the driver’s side, you might need to gently bend the metal VIN plate upwards and out of the way to gain better access. Be cautious, as excessive force can damage the brittle plastic of the A-pillar trim. Some find it easier to simply replace the A-pillars if they are old or sun-damaged, as they can sometimes be broken during removal. Once the clips are released, the A-pillar trim should slide downwards from under the roof trim lip and can then be removed.

…CONTINUES BELOW…

“

…CONTINUED FROM ABOVE…

17. Locate and remove the screws along the lower edge of the dashboard. Open both the driver’s and passenger’s side doors and look at the lower edge of the dashboard, where it meets the door opening. You will find several Phillips head screws along this edge on both sides. Remove all of these screws. These screws are often overlooked but are crucial for releasing the lower part of the dashboard.

18. Now, focus on the defroster vents located at the top of the dashboard, closest to the windshield. Carefully pry up these vent grilles. They are usually held in place by clips and should pop off with gentle upward pressure. Once removed, you will likely find more screws underneath them. Remove all screws revealed under the defroster vent grilles. These screws secure the top part of the dashboard.

19. With almost all visible screws and connections addressed, the dashboard should now be close to being free. Double-check all previously mentioned steps and ensure you haven’t missed any screws or connections. Gently try to wiggle the dashboard to see if it moves. If it feels stuck, re-examine all screw locations, especially around the edges and in the center console area, to find any remaining fasteners.

20. Once you are confident that all screws and connections are removed, carefully begin to pull the dashboard towards you, starting from the top edge near the windshield. Work slowly and methodically, wiggling and gently pulling to ease the dashboard out. There might be some resistance from remaining clips or wires, so proceed with caution. If you encounter significant resistance, stop and re-inspect for any missed screws or connections.

21. As you pull the dashboard further out, you will gain access to the remaining wiring harnesses connected to the back of the dashboard. Disconnect all remaining electrical connections. Take your time and carefully disconnect each wire, noting their locations if necessary, although, similar to the instrument cluster, many connectors are unique and will only fit in their designated sockets.

22. With all screws and wiring disconnected, the Mercedes dashboard should now be completely free and can be carefully removed from the vehicle. It’s advisable to have a helper for this step, as dashboards can be bulky and awkward to handle alone. Lift the old dashboard out of the car, being mindful of its size and weight to avoid damaging the interior or the dashboard itself.

Congratulations! You have successfully removed your Mercedes dashboard. This process provides access for replacement, repair, or restoration. Reinstallation is generally the reverse of removal, but always refer to your service manual for torque specifications and any specific reassembly instructions. Remember to take your time and double-check all connections to ensure everything is properly reinstalled and functional.

“