SL230 - instrument lens replacement SL350 (2006)

[Mike H Cheshire]

Hi does anyone know if its possible to replace just the plexi glass lens on the speedo and tacho - mine have deep fissures in them ie they are not surface scratches see photos - Mercedes only supply the instrument cluster complete or the bezel but not the lens

Many thanks

 

[Blobcat]

I'd look at scrappies or the bay of E

 

[LostKiwi]

Should be technically possible as long as you can source one.

 

[Mike H Cheshire]

Many thanks

 

[Mike H Cheshire]

I have now sourced a donor instrument cluster so I want to try and remove the lens and fit to my cluster.
Does anyone know how to remove the lens ?
Will I need to take the cluster out of the car? If so how is that done?
and finally do I need to disconnect the battery first?

Many thanks

 

[Flyinspanner]

Always disconnect the battery, saves any accidental short circuits if a screw falls, if a tool slips.....

No direct knowledge, but imagine it will clip into/onto the cluster. Make sure it done in a warm environment or sit it on a radiator for a while, the plastic will be less likely to crack.

 

[LostKiwi]

Cluster will need to be removed. Not sure how it comes out but normally MBs are a push fit

 

[Mike H Cheshire]

Many thanks for your replies.

 

[Blobcat]

Cluster will need to be removed. Not sure how it comes out but normally MBs are a push fit

They are, you can get tools (I have some ) to pull clusters out. Having said that it is really easy to crack the lens when using the tools. It requires a contortionist but if you can get behind and push it out then it’s a much better method.

 

[Mike H Cheshire]

Thanks Blobcat

Hmmn doesn't sound easy - the donor instrument cluster is supposed to be in full working order so I am beginning to wonder if I might be better to get a specialist firm or independent Mercedes specialist to fit it and pair it to the car? Its from an SL500 though and mine is a SL350 so not sure it will be compatible ? To be honest I bought it for the lens really and wasn't thinking of using the donor cluster in the car.

 

[Uncle Benz]

R230 cluster is held in place with torx screws. Three if memory serves. One in the bottom middle and one each side on the top. Front bit with glass separates from the main body quite easily. It's been a while, but I didn't find them too difficult to do.

 

[Mike H Cheshire]

Great thanks !

 

[Mike H Cheshire]

Ok so I now have the donor instrument panel.

Looking at the unit it seems there are 3 plastic clips to lift up on top, 2 underneath, 2 on each side. Also one lug on each side to press in to separate the instrument display and lens from the white body which I presume is where the brains of the unit are.

It doesn't look like the lens will separate from the display so I think I will have to swop the instrument display over from the donor to the original cluster and that way I presume the data that is in my instrument cluster will be preserved and just come up on the new dials?

Thanks for your help

 

[Uncle Benz]

The circuit board and dials stay in the White bit if memory serves. The black bit and the glass comes away when you release the clips you describe.

 

[LostKiwi]

You'll get a few issues with the odometer if I recall correctly. The mileage is stored in several places in an MB and it gets a bit confused if they are too different (especially if the cluster value is lower than the rest of the car)

 

[SL63 Mark]

Perhaps I have missed something, but in the photos in post#1 above, has something already been removed ? Looks like the edges of the Perspex are exposed, which they shouldn't be.

 

[LostKiwi]

Perhaps I have missed something, but in the photos in post#1 above, has something already been removed ? Looks like the edges of the Perspex are exposed, which they shouldn't be.

Binnacle looks to have been removed.

 

[Uncle Benz]

There are some instructions here on how to replace the lcd displays. You don't need to go that far, but the early pictures show the bit you want to swap being removed...

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachme...nt-panel-lcd-diy-r230-lcd-replacement-diy.pdf

 

[Mike H Cheshire]

Thank you so much for your replies - have been out all day and just picked these up - really helpful.

There are some instructions here on how to replace the lcd displays. You don't need to go that far, but the early pictures show the bit you want to swap being removed...

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachme...nt-panel-lcd-diy-r230-lcd-replacement-diy.pdf

This is brilliant thank you so much !

 

[Mike H Cheshire]

From the images on the pdf in the link from Uncle Benz it does indeed seem that the lens and surround will separate from the displays/cluster and I will be able to keep all the original displays and just swop over the lens - perfect!