Dash removal / wiper spindles- jobs to whilst in there?
I'm planning on taking my G off the road this Xmas to replace the wiper spindles.
Plan is to remove the dash as I believe this will make replacing the wiper spindles easy ?
Anyone got any tips for removing the dash?
Whilst the dash is off I'm going to replace all the dash / rocker switch bulbs & try & reconnect the heater valve with the heater controls.
Are there any other jobs worth doing whilst it's off?
I also plan on removing the windscreen as I think I have a water leak from windscreen seal. Can this be done with the dash in place or should I do it whilst the dash is out?
i would suggest checking for and treating signs of rust behind the seam just below the windshield.
also the rocker switch bulbs are intergrated into the switches - while you can change these yourself they require some soldering and for you to be very very careful.... mortinson tried this once and the result was that when he turned his headlights on while on the motorway all his diflocks engaged simultaneously...
well i snickered when i heard it too but don't tell morty... :lol:
The dash is very difficult to remove completly because it is so well installed in the first place, try to get a workshop manual if you can for this job as there are loads of hidden fastners and wires that prevent the dash from moving. I replaced my wiper spindles and linkage as one assembly by removing the glovebox and taking as many bolt on parts off as possible to get access from all sides (not easy though)
Hi for the windscreen find a friendly neighbourhood specialist who will have your screen out and in again in ten minutes. the seal will have hardened with age so fit a new one...with the screen removed make sure the metal surround is totally rust free... any bulge or flaky area will cause the seal to leak.a cheaper way without removing the windscreen is to clean all the road crud from under the seal all the way round and use a non silicone windscreen sealer injection around the exposed edge. this will not work if there are any bulges under the seal caused by corrosion.. removing the dash is not a job for those of us who lack patience. have no ability to use flexible descriptive terminology and do not have very deft fingers.plus a total awareness of where things were removed from some days later. a temporary cure for spindle leak but not wear is to remove the arm check the seal under the spindle body retaining nut drizzle hypoid 90 weight oil down the shaft with the motor running pack the black cover with vaseline and re assemble..repeat twice yearly...the passenger side spindle is fairly easy to change an is the one that wears most..simply remove the glove box and fumble....
Maxwell Smart wrote:... and for you to be very very careful.... mortinson tried this once and the result was that when he turned his headlights on while on the motorway all his diflocks engaged simultaneously...
I know its not funny, but .... that did make me spit out my coffee :lol: :lol:
Well I don't know how but I solved that problem immediately after... replacing the bulbs of the switches really makes sense becuase the bulbs cost a pittance and the complete switches retail for 20 pounds plus VAT each and that's stupid. The job involved is easy if you use some ingenuity like using superglue to glue bits that are are pain to put together if loose. Otherwise,if you have tome and like working neatly they are in fact quite easy...
I had a problem with the wiper motor and spindles a while ago so I have been down the path: try to loosen the dash just enough to give you some access. Use also the access from the dashboard side fuse compartment. Do not remove the dashboard. Certainly not without a manual.
I did not carry out the job Draxey's way because I was not aware of the possibility, nevertheless after the event I was told that MB do "his" way. I wish I had this info before fiddling around: now I sometimes hear some high frequency creeking noises which were not there before.
You can do the switches and LHS wiper spindle without removing the dash. Never attempted the RHS. Removing the dash would be a serious undertaking.
You can do the switches and LHS wiper spindle without removing the dash. Never attempted the RHS. Removing the dash would be a serious undertaking.
Indeed. Though the wiper spindles require some kuckle peeling...
seeing as the general opinion is to leave the dash in place, I think I'll start with the LHS wiper spindle. RHS seems oK anyway.
Then I'll tackle the windscreen seal.
Hopefully this will cure the water leak :)
so how would I change the bulbs in the speedo / rev pod?
That's a fairly easy job. Remove the instrument cluster (other threads describe it, either using the proper MB tool or homemade hooks from wire clothes hangers), it basically pulls out with some cajoling, then the bulbs can be removed from the back by twisting the holder out I think. I say it's easy as opposed to the later 463s that have digital clusters where the lights are integrated in, not sure how you can service those...
In addition, these threads are pretty useful:
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=9595&posts=14...
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=1507&posts=52...
I did the spindles just over a year ago, and needed replacing both in the end because I couldn't get connections back on (ball/socket joints) without taking them out of the car. I removed the glove compartment along with the tweeters and vents, and it was a royal pain, but perhaps I could have been better-equipped tool-wise.
Also while you're there, and as it is a 300GE, you'll probably find most vent hoses come off and don't want to go back in the right places, or their attachments are brittle and break off, so be prepared to replace those (if you do remove the centre console).
And while we're on the topic I think I have a spare rubber seal for the motor that was ordered along with the other bits, but I didn't need it...
Anakreon I think your job is made a little more difficult and dangerous with yours being a twin-airbag G!
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I know its not funny, but .... that did make me spit out my coffee :lol: :lol: