How to remove heater fan knob

[fabricio]

i used wd40 and nothing happens

[Naj ✝︎]

This thread may help:

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=8785.msg57291#msg57291

Naj

[tel76]

Naj,
Is it not better to pull off the knob,it is only held on with a circlip you can then undo the chrome nut with a special (homemade or purchased)tool,therefore doing no damage to chrome or dash?

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, Eric,

Fabricio does not show what model car he has.
I managed to damage the knob on my 230 SL when I pulled it off.
Maybe easier just to pull it off on the later 280 style knob...

Naj

[fabricio]

thanks guys
it is a 1969 280 sl

[scoot]

Unscrew the bezel and the knob stays attached to the bezel.  Early or late cars alike.

[jaymanek]

Anyone know of a good tool to undo those nuts around the heater/light switch? I only did mine finger tight with a pair of rubber gloves as I used new parts which i didnt want to damage.

[bonanome]

I WILL TRY THANKS

[tel76]

Hello Jay,
You can buy buy the tool (Frosts sells them) or you can do what i did and make one from a piece of round bar,drilled and file the required notches.
Scoot, how can you undo the bezel with the knob in position without doing some damage to the bezel/knob or dash paintwork?

[66andBlue]

Eric,
can you provide a picture of the tool or a link to "Frosts", please?

[tel76]

Hello Alfred,
www.frost.co.uk
The item is on page 79 of there booklet,it is priced at £21.00 and is called Dash Nut Spanner.
They are very good on delivery so if you wanted one i feel sure Naj could get one and bring it with him to Pub.
I will try to get you picture of what i made,but i got a length of round bar of a suitable diameter and drilled a hole down the centre,you can then file the required pips on the end.

[jaymanek]

ahh, I did look on the Frosts site at the time and couldnt find it... although spending £21 to do up a nut that I probably will never undo again seems a little steep!

 

[ejboyd5]

Easy enough to make the tool.  Use a wire coat hanger with wire of an appropriate diameter to fit into the holes on the bezel.  Bend an approximate 8" length of the wire into a "U" shape, then place each free end into a vise and hammer same to a 90 degree angle with the points facing each other. Clip the free ends so that the part distal to the bend extends approximately 1/4".  Dress the "points" with a file to remove rough edges and assure a smooth fit into the bezel.  

[tel76]

My sentiments entirely, Jay, that is why i made my own.

[66andBlue]

Not only is this nut spanner expensive but also not necessary. 
The fan knob on a 280SL has an OD of about 29 mm (~ 1 1/8") and the bezel has an OD of about 20 mm.  The spanner is designed for nuts with slightly less than 1" and 3/4" diameter. Clearly one needs to take the fan knob off first to get at the bezel and when that is done it becomes obvious that any wide blade screw driver or similar blade will do the job of removing it safely.

[tel76]

 
Alfred, 
You cannot use one screwdriver,what about the centre spindle?
In the picture the bezel has sustained damage that would not have happened if a special tool had been used.

[66andBlue]

...  You cannot use one screwdriver, what about the centre spindle? ...

Correct Eric, you caught me on that one.   
Fortunately, however, the "damage signs" in the photo are either shadows or dirt, the slots on that bezel are still perfect.
For sure your tool would be very useful - and thanks for sending the photo (below).