Alternative way to remove instrument cluster

[Kyiv]

Over the years, I've pulled an instrument cluster on my car 5-6 times using aftermarket "Mercedes" hooks. Every time it put up a fight and many scratches developed on the sides of the cluster. Today though it just wont come out; tools just keep popping out. I have 2 questions.

1st: what exactly should hooks grab on? The outer edge (lip) of the cluster or something deeper?

2nd: is there an alternative way to pull the cluster out? I removed driver side air vent, yet still not enough leverage. Is pulling the airbag out and then center vents the most efficient alternative way?

Thanks

 

[Jlaa]

Over the years, I've pulled an instrument cluster on my car 5-6 times using aftermarket "Mercedes" hooks. Every time it put up a fight and many scratches developed on the sides of the cluster. Today though it just wont come out. I have 2 questions.

1st: what exactly should hooks grab on? The outer edge (lip) of the cluster or something deeper?

2nd: is there an alternative way to pull the cluster out? I removed driver side air vent, yet still not enough leverage. Is pulling the airbag out and then center vents the most efficient alternative way?

Thanks

Is the bottom “shelf” plastic of the instrument cluster digging into the “squish foam padding” below it (especially at the corners) thus hindering the cluster’s extraction?

I have pulled my own cluster a half dozen times with the official hooks, and sometimes this happens to me.

 

[Kyiv]

Is the bottom “shelf” plastic of the instrument cluster digging into the “squish foam padding” below it (especially at the corners) thus hindering the cluster’s extraction?

I have pulled my own cluster a half dozen times with the official hooks, and sometimes this happens to me.

it could be the foam, so that's why I'm wondering what the alternative method is. I don't wont to break clusters perimeter lip, each time the hooks pops out with a bang

 

[Jlaa]

it could be the foam, so that's why I'm wondering what the alternative method is. I don't wont to break clusters perimeter lip, each time the hooks pops out with a bang

That seems like waaaaay too much force. What I do is I pull on side at a time. For example, I use my right hand to manipulate the hook and pull out the right side of the housing by 1” while I massage the squishy foam with my left hand. Then, I do the same with the left side of the housing …. One inch. Repeat.

 

[sheward]

The wire hooks engage in actual half round depressions that run up the side of the cluster. There is a line of 4 or 5 of these depressions about halfway up each side of the cluster. If your aftermarket tools are too large of a wire size, like my homemade ones, they will not engage properly. BTDT. The most friction comes at the bottom as Jlla notes and the top where there are 3 rubber strips. It may help to have another person pull gently on the dashboard binnacle. I have found it helps to push from the back as you are trying. I'll see if I can get a picture of the cluster side posted.

edit: It's the W140 / R129 clusters that have less area for hook engagement.

 

[sheward]

This cluster has the depressions all the way up each side. Some may only have a few in the center. You can see one of the 3 spots under my finger where rubber pads may be present. Note the same depressions where rubber pads sit at the bottom.

 

[gsxr]

I usually slide the hooks all the way back so they grab the vertical rear surface. Once pulled forward ~5mm you can grab the front lip with your fingers and pull it the rest of the way out. As noted above, make sure there's nothing hanging up, it shouldn't require much force to extract, even with all four rubber pads glued on.

 

[zentoed]

I just recently had to take mine out and was having a lot of difficulty. After a few scratches I gave up. I had removed it twice before without any problem OR scratches, and couldn't figure out what I was doing differently. The next day I tried pushing the factory tools in much deeper and grabbed the rear of the unit as gsxr mentions above, and it came out without any further issues.

 

[gerryvz]

As mentioned, it's best to have the factory hooks (they are cheap, around $20 last I checked) and insert them ALL THE WAY, as the @gsxr says. That will give you the best grip on the cluster to pull it toward you.

The 126 cluster has little serrations that are shallower than the W124's, and it is MUCH easier to pull a 126 cluster.

 

[nocfn]

Agree with the above - the 126 is almost a finger pull compared to the 124.