280SL Dash

[tdun824259]

I'm new to the club and am thinking about redoing my dash which has several cracks.  My odometer doesn't work and neither does my clock.  Does the dash need to be removed to repair the odometer and clock? And, what is the best way to tackle this job?
Thanks TD

[Jonny B]

You can do some further detail checking on the site re. the topics of speedo, tach and clock for details. But the clock can be removed by first removing the glove box interior. The clock is held in place by a u-shaped 'keeper' with a knurled nut at the center of the back of the clock. Undo this, detach the electrical connector and the clock comes right out. There are a number of posts with options for repairing (redo the existing, or replace the innards with a quartz movement).

For the speedo, this is a stepwise ordeal. First you need to take out the tach, which involoves removing the underneath dash cover and some trim pieces, the tach has a keeper as well. Undo the knurled knob and the tach cable and the tach will pop right out. Change the light bulbs in the tach while you have it out.

The next in line is the center cluster. This car has a mechanical water temperature gauge that is directly connected to the block with a sensing bulb, so be very careful not to knick this. The oil pressure gauge is also mechanical, but is connected via a thin tube. Here is where you need to check the posts on the site, as I have heard that some have taken this out without having to disconnect the oil pressure line.

If you can the speedo is next in line, and is held in place with a keeper as well. Undo this and pop the thing out. Remember the tach keeper and the speedo keeper are DIFFERENT. The tach keeper has a small bump out (and should be insulated with rubber or tape) to ensure that there is no contact with the electricals.

The ground wire (brown) for the dash lights is also connected to the small knurled knob that holds the keeper (and instrument) in place for both the tach and speedo.

If you have some other dash work to do, taking the drivers seat out, which is held in place with four bolts will make the job much easier. Small hands also help as there are tight quarters behind the dash.

There should be a grey rubber gasket around the tach, speedo and center cluster. If this is old and cracked this would be a good time to replace them as well. They are available from most of the 113 vendors.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[ted280sl]

The best way to take out the clock is through the glove compartment. The indside of the glove compartment can be removed by taking out the screws inside the glove compartment. It is an easy job. The odometer is part of the speedometer and that is a much more difficult job to remove. The only way I have been able to remove the speedometer is by first removing the tach. To remove the tach I have started by removing the lower left dash pad. Then there is a metal plate holding a plug conection. Unscrew the plate from the dash and get ready for some real fun. The next move is to work your hand up to the back of the tach and unscrew the knurled nob holding the tach in place. It is very doifficult. After the knob is removed you can disconnect the tachometer cable and the lights. Now the tach is out of the way. There is a knurled nob holding the center cluster in place. You can reach that through the tach opening. After that is removed you can carefully reach behind the cluster to the speedometer and undo the knurled nob on the back to the speedo.
Best of luck and welcome to the club
Ted
1969 280SL w/ rebuilt speedo and tach but, my odometer died a second death and I need to do it again

[Richard Madison]

Try to search on "clock" or "dash" etc. There are several messages here.

Here is one with some detail:

http://sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=423

Richard M

[tdun824259]

Thanks Ted and Jonny, I think I'm ready to tackle the tach and the clock.  Now about the dash pieces.  I understand their are "Hidden" phillips screws and other tricks to removing these leather pieces.  Any advice... and where are the hidden screws.  I have a 1971 280 with air.  Does the air conditioner get in the way of removal of the lower right dah piece?  Thanks again you've been a big help
TD
1971 280SL

[Jonny B]

For the tach and the clock, I do not recall that there are any hidden screws. The clock as pretty straightforward as is the tach. If you remove the under dash pieces, they are fitted into the small chrome strips, but they dash pieces just leverage out of the groves. Then there are small phillips head screws that hold the chrome trim in place. I think the hidden screws and such come into play when trying to remove the left side chrome vent (which is a real pain in the keyster to get out).

Good luck. Try the clock first, it is the most direct to get at. Be sure you keep track of all the glove box pieces (from the spring and forks that hold the door in place).

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto