Ala-benz

Does anyone have a step-by-step on adding chrome gauge rings to the 96-99 E-class?

I did a thread search and came up with some nice photos, but I have not located enough information for me to take a chance on cracking open my instrument cluster. Any help is appreciated.

E-Klasse

You don't have to take the clear plastic off itself. The cluster splits in half in front of the gauge faces. You just have to slip them through the holes and secure them before putting the cluster back together.

Ala-benz

Do I have to buy the tools to remove the cluster? or is there another way around that?
Thanks for the photo.

livetodrive

I tried using a bent coat hanger, but it didn't have enough strength. The pulling hooks were only around $10 (I don't really know, my wife picked them up) and make the job easy. BTW, the hooks need to be around the level of the down arrow (or - for pre-2000) of the reset switches when pulling out the dash. For me, the hardest part of the job was reinserting the two plastic message signs that fall out when the dash cover is removed. It worked best when I placed the dash as horizontally as was possible. It takes a little dexterity, and a pair of tweezers helped.

zam2000

I found my portable HD where I stored pix of all mods I've done to my cars (TV, DVD, door sills, light, jukebox, shock, cluster, radar detector, back-up camera....)

Btw, I used to use the hook (which I made from metal wire), but after seeing SteveNL using his bare hand to pull the IC, I followed, and found it's much easier to pull. Just manage to get you hand hook to the top and bottom, and slowly pull it out.

Make sure you test everything before putting the IC back to the car. Turn on the light to verify that none of the IC bulb is burned out.

Enjoy

Ala-benz

Thanks ZAM
Kudos on the instructions! Thanks for the photos.

Fathead

"For me, the hardest part of the job was reinserting the two plastic message signs that fall out when the dash cover is removed."



What message signs?


Thanks