Late to watching, John, but absolutely A+ for detail, clarity and camera work! Not only fantastic for the actual dash removal, BUT also valuable for showing what's behind the dash such as the pods, removing the climate control module, upper buttons, etc. ! I wish I could have had this video when I removed by first W123 dash about 20 years ago!
Ok i know i am late BUT THANK YOU! top tier for detail on this video, obviously eu model bit different but you get perfect idea how dash is mounted. (Need to remove it for rust repairs 😅)
This is by far the best dash removal video I've seen. Starting to plan for the removal of my own on my 1983 300d. Center vacuum actuator just stopped working after getting it fixed by the Mercedes dealership a year ago. They charged me for removing the dash and replacing the pod but I'm not seeing any evidence it was ever removed. I'm wondering if it was just a loose vacuum hose or solenoid. Never going back there again. I love having a car I can work on myself.
Well if it was removed and reinstalled correctly you shouldn't be able to tell. But if you just had it changed the year-ago there's no way it stopped working unless a vacuum line popped lose. It's actually pretty incredible that your Mercedes dealer actually even took on this job. Most dealerships won't work on these cars anymore because the old techs are long gone.
@@woodsandbarclay They were amazed at the fact that the car was still driving so well. I've had to do a lot to keep it going but I feel like I'm pretty heavily invested in the car at this point and love driving it. When I first purchased it in LA and drove it back to Texas, there were many issues that I dealt with one at a time. The Mercedes Dealership will still help me out but it's very expensive to have them do anything so I've done most of the work on the car myself.
@@charliecutter3078 that's awesome I'm glad you're working on your car yourself. There should be videos on my channel to do everything you need to do. The Mercedes dealership is an absolute Last resort because they are very very expensive for these old cars. The good news is that the cars are extremely easy to work on and you can definitely handle all of it!
Sorting out the current A/C issues is my biggest challenge at the moment. Need to figure out best strategy. I need to get the vacuum pump and gauges to evacuate the system and then test and recharge once it's ready to go.
What a great video! Non subscribers- smash that subscribe button & hit the like button! John’s videos are the best - full of detail & explanation. You won’t be disappointed!
Wow John 👌 Big thank you for sharing with us your experience. I need to remove same job because center two aire holes are not working, and to replace the light bulb for the starter.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! I'll be able to replace my dash with a little more confidence now. It's also a good time to do some "while I'm in there" work.
It's not hard at all I show every step in that video.. your time and make sure you remove the steering wheel I tried to cut corners and leave the steering wheel on there this time and it's much more difficult with the steering wheel on. Pry out the center cap in the steering wheel and there's a bolt behind there.
Just go slow and take your time and even video record what you're doing or take pictures of what you're doing so you can remember how to put it back together.
Hello, I discovered your very interesting video for removing the dashboard. Once the dashboard is removed, do you have an additional video for changing the heater radiator on this W123? Thank you very much.
My center vents are not opening. I bought a small brake bleeder vacuum pump. I’m going to test everything that I can before I pull my dash. Only question is if I should fix the problem with the ac itself before I start messing with the vents as the ac isn’t blowing cold.
Your AC does not need to be working in order to repair the vents and test them. However the climate control module in the dash does need to be working because those buttons are what actuate all the different vacuum hoses for the vents
Lots of cars used this design and it is still use sometimes today. Modern cars are actually use little electric actuators with plastic gears and are a way worse design and have a higher failure rate. These old vacuum pods last way longer than the modern electric actuators. anything behind the dash on any vehicle is going to be a tougher job. Just remember about everything on this vehicle is more durable and better designed than any modern vehicle. ;) Modern vehicles are plastic and microchips. Tell me what car from modern times you think you're going to see on the road driving around forty years from now. None.
That wire under the glovebox was absolutely for a late 80s car phone, I had to remove the same type of cable from my 1985 sedan after a previous owner took the phone itself out but left the wiring.
I know it is probably second nature to you, but man that looks intimidating. Great job explaining and documenting the process. Are these dashes available as new OEM or do you have to get them used?
It's not tough you can have a dash out in a few hours. If it's your first time just use this video and move slow and pay attention to what you're doing like I said it's not a very difficult job you will be fine. Your first time is actually going to take you all weekend but that's okay.
Yep you need to watch the next video where I replace that hose before re-installing the dash. It's the foam hose that connects the HVAC unit to the temperature sensor.
That's a 116 chassis so the dash is going to be mounted a little bit different but it's the same concept. However the six or eight bolts that you have to remove are going to be hidden in slightly different spots on the 116. So it'll be slightly different but the concept is the same.
@@johnfindley1188 oh I'm so sorry my mistake. I'm so used to dealing with the 79 and 80 116 chassis 300SD... I thought that was the gas model. But anyway it's going to be a little different.
No hablo español, así que no sé cómo podría suceder, tal vez UA-cam descubra cómo traducir mi voz y subtítulos. ¿Tiene la capacidad de mostrar subtítulos en español?
It's a shame Mercedes didn't make it so that main pod could come out of the top of the dash so you wouldn't have to take the whole dash out. What a nightmare. I bet that costs a ton of money at the dealer. I am glad you did that and not me. Talk about losing your religion.
Yeah the dealership would charge you thousands of dollars for this. But hey those guys charge thousands of dollars to change a tire so what do you do. Hahaha
Always amazes me how MB individually grounded just about every device in their cars. Great descriptive video! Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Wow this is INCREDIBLE detail. Thank you so much, this is exactly the kind of instruction that knuckle-dragging newbies like me need!!!
Glad to help out buddy hopefully you can tackle your project now.
Lange nach einem A-Säulen Verkleidungs Demontagevideo gesucht und endlich fündig geworden. Großartiges Video! Grüße aus Good Old Germany
Danke für das Lob!
Late to watching, John, but absolutely A+ for detail, clarity and camera work! Not only fantastic for the actual dash removal, BUT also valuable for showing what's behind the dash such as the pods, removing the climate control module, upper buttons, etc. ! I wish I could have had this video when I removed by first W123 dash about 20 years ago!
Thank you Richard. I noticed there was no video like this on UA-cam so I decided to make this really detailed one.
Thank you so much for the amount of effort into sharing this insight with the W123 Community
This is exactly what I was looking for.
Awesome I'm so glad this video helped I made it because I noticed there was no video on UA-cam showing all the details!
Great Video. Extremely helpful and thorough. Thanks!
😎
Ok i know i am late BUT THANK YOU! top tier for detail on this video, obviously eu model bit different but you get perfect idea how dash is mounted. (Need to remove it for rust repairs 😅)
;)
Thank you so much John I was thinking about how to take off
Dashboard out, your video very helpful 👍
It's not really that big a deal you can totally do it.
Great job and excellent instructional video to help diy enthusiasts.
Thank you and I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos.
Muchas gracias por el desmontaje del cuadro que yo tenía muchas ganas de ver cómo se sacaba,ya que yo tengo un 240 D 123 muchas gracias
De nada
This is a nice video for some of the work I need to do. I have a 1981 Mercedes 240d and have had some issues with the center vent not closing.
I'm so glad you're finding the videos helpful!
This is by far the best dash removal video I've seen. Starting to plan for the removal of my own on my 1983 300d. Center vacuum actuator just stopped working after getting it fixed by the Mercedes dealership a year ago. They charged me for removing the dash and replacing the pod but I'm not seeing any evidence it was ever removed. I'm wondering if it was just a loose vacuum hose or solenoid. Never going back there again. I love having a car I can work on myself.
Well if it was removed and reinstalled correctly you shouldn't be able to tell. But if you just had it changed the year-ago there's no way it stopped working unless a vacuum line popped lose. It's actually pretty incredible that your Mercedes dealer actually even took on this job. Most dealerships won't work on these cars anymore because the old techs are long gone.
@@woodsandbarclay They were amazed at the fact that the car was still driving so well. I've had to do a lot to keep it going but I feel like I'm pretty heavily invested in the car at this point and love driving it. When I first purchased it in LA and drove it back to Texas, there were many issues that I dealt with one at a time. The Mercedes Dealership will still help me out but it's very expensive to have them do anything so I've done most of the work on the car myself.
@@charliecutter3078 that's awesome I'm glad you're working on your car yourself. There should be videos on my channel to do everything you need to do. The Mercedes dealership is an absolute Last resort because they are very very expensive for these old cars. The good news is that the cars are extremely easy to work on and you can definitely handle all of it!
@@woodsandbarclay I paid a lot of money to have that center pod replaced by Mercedes. I'll never do that again. Thanks for all the support!
Sorting out the current A/C issues is my biggest challenge at the moment. Need to figure out best strategy. I need to get the vacuum pump and gauges to evacuate the system and then test and recharge once it's ready to go.
Thank you very much! Now I can finally find out where I get the water in at the front.
😎
What a great video! Non subscribers- smash that subscribe button & hit the like button! John’s videos are the best - full of detail & explanation. You won’t be disappointed!
Ha! Thank you Jarrod ;)
Thanks so much for this, John! Super helpful.
;)
www.woodsandbarclay.com
Wow John 👌
Big thank you for sharing with us your experience. I need to remove same job because center two aire holes are not working, and to replace the light bulb for the starter.
;)
Thanks for video , best greats from germany
So glad you like the video I hope it was very helpful!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! I'll be able to replace my dash with a little more confidence now. It's also a good time to do some "while I'm in there" work.
It's not hard at all I show every step in that video.. your time and make sure you remove the steering wheel I tried to cut corners and leave the steering wheel on there this time and it's much more difficult with the steering wheel on. Pry out the center cap in the steering wheel and there's a bolt behind there.
Great job, I’ll stick with my dash cap
You can definitely do the job yourself it's not very bad if you use this video as a reference.
Well I may get it apart....But never back together..You make it look easy
Just go slow and take your time and even video record what you're doing or take pictures of what you're doing so you can remember how to put it back together.
Sub’d … talk’d with ya this morning. 👊🏻💪🏻
Great thanks for calling. So glad you're enjoying the videos 😎
Thank you thank you!!
😎👍
Gracias. From Montevideo.
:)
Hello, I discovered your very interesting video for removing the dashboard. Once the dashboard is removed, do you have an additional video for changing the heater radiator on this W123?
Thank you very much.
No unfortunately we do not have any videos for changing the heater core on a 123.
My center vents are not opening. I bought a small brake bleeder vacuum pump. I’m going to test everything that I can before I pull my dash. Only question is if I should fix the problem with the ac itself before I start messing with the vents as the ac isn’t blowing cold.
Your AC does not need to be working in order to repair the vents and test them. However the climate control module in the dash does need to be working because those buttons are what actuate all the different vacuum hoses for the vents
God going too Bless that company too make a million dollars
:)
Those vacuum pods failing seem like a real pain to get to, to repair but I guess that was the best design during that era? 🙂
Lots of cars used this design and it is still use sometimes today. Modern cars are actually use little electric actuators with plastic gears and are a way worse design and have a higher failure rate. These old vacuum pods last way longer than the modern electric actuators. anything behind the dash on any vehicle is going to be a tougher job. Just remember about everything on this vehicle is more durable and better designed than any modern vehicle. ;) Modern vehicles are plastic and microchips. Tell me what car from modern times you think you're going to see on the road driving around forty years from now. None.
@@woodsandbarclay I hear ya then, great insight...
That wire under the glovebox was absolutely for a late 80s car phone, I had to remove the same type of cable from my 1985 sedan after a previous owner took the phone itself out but left the wiring.
Awesome thank you for confirming that I figured it was for an old school cell phone.
Great job!
Thank you Scott
wow, lots of guts. I thought about replacing those pods as a preventive idea but I think I'll wait.
It's not that hard of a job but definitely don't replace them until you have to yours might last another 10 years who knows
Nice video. 👍
Thank you I noticed there really wasn't a comprehensive video on UA-cam for this so hopefully this fills that Gap.
the ratchet its 12.99 at autozone and the 15/16 its 24mm
by the way nice job
Yeah I cross back and forth with metric and SAE sometimes. 😎
Thanks for making this video….I wonder how much might apply to a W124 dash? Btw, I am a subscriber😎😎😎
The 124 is totally different chassis so it's going to be pretty different. But really the same concepts apply.
Good job
Thank you it's really not that bad of a job just take your time and pay attention..
I know it is probably second nature to you, but man that looks intimidating. Great job explaining and documenting the process. Are these dashes available as new OEM or do you have to get them used?
They have not been new for years but you can still find used ones in great condition.
@@woodsandbarclay What are your thoughts on covering the dash with a pad for protection? Do they work or cause issues by trapping heat?
@@timfetner8029 they work
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it ;)
how long did it take you?
It's not tough you can have a dash out in a few hours. If it's your first time just use this video and move slow and pay attention to what you're doing like I said it's not a very difficult job you will be fine. Your first time is actually going to take you all weekend but that's okay.
Thank you, it looks easy on the video. I'm going to try it
@@Kurtas7626 it is easy the thing I didn't do in the video is remove the steering wheel just make sure you do that.
What about under the glove box there is another hose that deteriorates
Yep you need to watch the next video where I replace that hose before re-installing the dash. It's the foam hose that connects the HVAC unit to the temperature sensor.
Just wondering is it the same for 1984300SD w126
The 126 is a different chassis and has a different dash it's going to be similar process but a little different.
Do you think this is similar procedure on a 1979 450sl??
That's a 116 chassis so the dash is going to be mounted a little bit different but it's the same concept. However the six or eight bolts that you have to remove are going to be hidden in slightly different spots on the 116. So it'll be slightly different but the concept is the same.
its a 107 chassis
@@johnfindley1188 oh I'm so sorry my mistake. I'm so used to dealing with the 79 and 80 116 chassis 300SD... I thought that was the gas model. But anyway it's going to be a little different.
Will this be similar to a 1985, w201 2.2 diesel?
Similar but not the same. This is a different chassis.
❤👍🇹🇷
😎
I hate that mechanical oil line. It sprayed me heavely once I started the car without cluster!
It's very reliable you just have to remember not to crank the car if it's disconnected hahaha
Quisiera mirar y escuchar en español gracias
No hablo español, así que no sé cómo podría suceder, tal vez UA-cam descubra cómo traducir mi voz y subtítulos. ¿Tiene la capacidad de mostrar subtítulos en español?
It's a shame Mercedes didn't make it so that main pod could come out of
the top of the dash so you wouldn't have to take the whole dash out. What
a nightmare. I bet that costs a ton of money at the dealer. I am glad
you did that and not me. Talk about losing your religion.
Yeah the dealership would charge you thousands of dollars for this. But hey those guys charge thousands of dollars to change a tire so what do you do. Hahaha
Always amazes me how MB individually grounded just about every device in their cars. Great descriptive video! Thanks!
Thank you for watching I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos.
Always amazes me how MB individually grounded just about every device in their cars. Great descriptive video! Thanks!
Those German engineers were such fanatics!