Dash Pad Removal

[jaxxonia]

It's winter and like most of you, I've been taking care of my checklist of items to repair/adjust/improve on my 1970 280 SL.

So far, the glove box, all the gauges, clock, radio, speaker, steering wheel, wood trim and various other items have been removed from the dash. The clock has been tweaked and is keeping accurate time to within about 1-2 minutes per month. The chrome bezels have been removed from all the instruments, the glass has been cleaned and the bulbs have been replaced. The Blaupunkt Europa radio has been cleaned and adjusted. Lots of general cleaning, buffing and polishing, too.

My question concerns the padded dash cover. There seems to be one last clip or screw or something at the very corner of the dash near the A frame pillar that I cannot locate in order to release the pad from the dash. I've found all the obvious screws and such, but can't find this last item. This has made it difficult to release the chrome vent cover for cleaning and service.  While jimmy-ing, a 3-sided clip fell out from under the dash cover above the chrome vent. Any ideas where this came from? And what is keeping the dash cover from releasing completely?

This site has always been invaluable in helping keep my car the beauty that she is. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Ben]

Firstly I think the 3 sided clip is one of the clips that holds the chrome end piece onto the dash, a series of studs pushes into these !

The last screw, as far as I know, is acutually under the covering which needs to be peeled back a little for access !

Please note I haven't done the above but I'm fairly sure I read it somewhere. Maybe you should wait for others to chime in !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[George Des]

Ben is right. The two dash side pads are held in by a screw that is under the covering. The screw is right under the area below the left and right windshield pads on each side. Hope this helps.

George Des

[waltklatt]

Yep, that is a hard one to figure out.
If you remove the chrome strip that goes along the curvature from the window rubber strip down to the rocker panel.  Then lift the edge of the vinyl or leather for the dashcover on the far side where the chrome used to cover.  You will see the last and final phillips screw hidden underneath.  If you have vinyl tex interior then I would use a hot air blow dryer to warm up the plastic to make it supple and then peel it back.  If cold the plastic cracks and breaks.
Hope this is clear.
Walter Klatt
1963 230SL gas, euro, navy blue/red leather, 4 spd manual
1967 220SL diesel, US, silver/black tex, 5 spd manual

Ben wrote:

The last screw, as far as I know, is acutually under the covering which needs to be peeled back a little for access !

Please note I haven't done the above but I'm fairly sure I read it somewhere. Maybe you should wait for others to chime in !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor
[/quote]

[jaxxonia]

Just a "Thank You" note to both Ben & George Des. That last screw was hidden under the edge of the dash pad just as you indicated. Now to clean up the chrome vents and put it all back together.
Regards,
Jackson