center cluster removal

[ashley]

I have a 69 280SL I am prepping for paint, and would love to have some advise on removing the center cluster, it seems that the temp sender on the engine has to be undone and the whole length of capillary tube w/sender has to be fed thru the hole in the firewall, is this so? I have everything off the dash including the other gauges and heater controls (they were broken anyway). It seems like the center gauge wont make the past the steering coulmn anyway, can the coulmn be lowered a bit without getting into the ignition switch/steering lock ? Thanks for any help, I'm trying not to dissassemble the whole damn car, but I seem to be failing in this....

[badali]

The temp gauge can be removed from the cluster from the back.  You still have to be careful with it.  If you kink or damage the tube it will not work.  They are in the $200 + price range to replace.  There is one or 2 screws holding it to the cluster.  It may be easier to manage if you have a second person guide it through the fire wall.
Brad

[ja17]

Hello ashley,

First, pop the horn pad off and use a 22mm (7/8") socket to remove the steering wheel.  This will make every aspect of the job easier. The wheel just pulls off, no puller required.  Next the under dash pad on the left should be removed. Unfasten the metal bracket under the pad which holds the two electrical plug connections and move it out of the way. This move will give you enough room to reach your hand up to the tachometer to unscrew the tachometer cable. Now unfasten the knurled thumb screw which holds the tachometer in place. Notice that the brown ground wire is attached under this thumb screw. Pay attention to how the tach bracket is positioned for re-assembly latter. Remove the tach. Next move to the center cluster. It removes by loosening the thumb screws. move to the speedometer next and so on.  On the other side of the dash start by removing the glove box.

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