Instrument Gauge Glass

[John Vipond]

How do you clean the inside of the instrument gauge glass on a 280SE? Does the face come off?

[gerryvz]

Indeed, the cluster can be disassembled and the indivudual instruments (and their associated clear viewing glass) can be removed and cleaned.

Use the normal instrument cluster (I assume you are talking about a 108 car) removal procedure:

• loosen e-brake handle bracket under dash and move it out of the way
• reach up under dash + contort hand to reach the infamous "knurled knob" that holds the back of the instrument cluster to the car. Turn knob counterclockwise and remove it.
• carefully pull cluster out front of the dash, then disassemble.
• REMOVE OIL LINE CAREFULLY FROM BACK OF CLUSTER and plug it or otherwise prevent from leaking by wrapping end with a rag.
• Disassemble from the rear of cluster and clean as appropriate. Then reassemble cluster, remembering to reattach oil line as the last assembly step. DO NOT FORGET TO REPLACE OIL LINE OR YOU WILL HAVE OIL ALL OVER INSIDE OF YOUR CAR AND DASH AREA -- NOT A FUN SITUATION !!
• For reinstallation of the cluster, you don't really need to replace the knurled knob -- the cluster does a pretty good job of holding itself in the dash once pressed forward and into place.
• Not replacing knob will keep you in a good mood and not swearing, and looking forward to a nice winter ale
• Keep knurled knob and label with a piece of tape so that you know what it is in 10 years after you forget.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Gerry