Restore Your Classic Mercedes Gauge Cluster! (No Steps Skipped)

[@viggosimonsen]

I had exactly the same problem with the odometer gear crack, and did the same as you: Glued the crack, and fixed the gear to the the shaft with some loctite. My theory is that these damages may happen if you try to reset the trip counter whilst driving. The trip counter and the odometer are obviously connected, and you are not really supposed to reset when in motion. It can put a strain on the gears - and that gear is clearly a bit fragile The repair was successful, and I haven't had any issues since - but I also never reset my trip counter anymore, just to be on the safe side

[@dongtr00]

This is the most handy video I saw on KZbin. Mose of the mechanic are just experienced labor instead of ME engineers.

[@ianzleig7679]

Thank you for the video. I know you were saving us time by speeding this up during the more tedious parts but I would have liked to have seen those also.

[@TheRustedGarage]

I can do my best if there is something specific you were looking for, but most of the parts I skipped just require a steady hand and a little bit of patience

[@bartdombkowski7215]

Just what i was looking for. Great, thanks 😊

[@williamwintemberg]

Extreme patience and perseverance. Good Job!

[@TheRustedGarage]

Thank you! Lots of hours into just this part of the car. Seems like it's paying off

[@RichardM-rg2gr]

The surgeon at work!

[@TheRustedGarage]

Apparently ..

[@wasserschwein666]

@4:10 you mentioned the economy gauge possibly doubling as a boost gauge, and in fact at least the diesels boost matches perfectly the range that the gauge moves :D the needle has to be moved a little but after that it just works!

[@TheRustedGarage]

Haha, I love it! Total guess but seemed plausible!

[@lrigitano]

Very nice video. Such a great job

[@cph3459]

I'm not sure if the arm bends on the trip meter or if the spot where it makes contact wears where they rub. either way you fixed it so good job on that.

[@TheRustedGarage]

I’d have to check again but I’m almost certain that arm bent slightly due to the amount of force needed to push the odometer gears in, and the lack of leverage it has. It’s also aluminum

[@andrike5119]

can you restore a w201 cluster for me ?

[@puchak97]

What did you do with the cluster box? Did you just repaint it in the matte paint or did you wipe it down/use vinegar like you did with the faces?

[@TheRustedGarage]

Second one. I put it in scalding hot water with vinegar and baking soda and scrubbed the crap out of it for like 30 minutes

[@puchak97]

@@TheRustedGarage Thanks, I'm going to try that!

[@michaelsliwinski8044]

Most helpful

[@ClassicRich]

My w201 has same issues where the gear has pushed out. But how do I remove the gear to scor the shaft and put loctite. When I try to remove it the shaft comes with it. I’m afraid to remove the whole gear with shaft. Not sure if everything will fall to pieces.

[@TheRustedGarage]

Your fear is valid because that’s exactly what will happen. I have an older video I made of diving a little deeper into just the odometer portion. Look in my videos around 2019 timeframe you will find it. But the short answer is find a drillbit is the closest size to the shaft so then you can pull the shaft out and put the drillbit in its place holding everything together.

[@FandFFabricaNY-vd3ec]

What exactly did you use for coloring the needle indicators?

[@TheRustedGarage]

Just some matte paint from a hardware store. Go a little more orange than yellow for that crisp OEM finish. Mine didn’t look quite how I wanted it to.

[@w124mercedes7]

How do you remove the lense without cracking it. I wanted to do the background of my cluster in burl wood but I hear its nearly impossible to remove the lense.

[@TheRustedGarage]

The proper way is to preheat your oven to 150F and put it in there at your discretion of time. If I recall less than 10 minutes should do it. There is a glue you are trying to loosen by doing this. Perform at your own risk

[@puchak97]

What buff did you use for your screen? I need to do the same for mine.

[@TheRustedGarage]

The clear cluster plastic? Honestly I took the buffer pad from a headlight polish kit and used the same compound from that kit

[@grantanderson4452]

Any link to the needle paint you used?

[@TheRustedGarage]

I just went to my local craft store. Even places like Walmart sell it. I recommend a darker orange than what I used for that crisp OEM look. If I have to take mine apart again that's what I will do. Make sure you use something with a matte finish or it won't look right.

[@elvinaslanov4099]

can you share led bulbs ebay links?

[@TheRustedGarage]

I got them from a parts store locally. Just get a white or off-white (it’s personal choice but I don’t like the ‘cool’ blue) and find some that have bendable tabs as I described in the video. Timestamps in description.

[@dixboncan6191]

Hi where did you get the replace,rmy LCD screen? Thanks

[@TheRustedGarage]

Check video description

[@bennostunes975]

Good job.. Can I send you mine ?

[@187DANMAN]

How do you earth the cluster clock

[@TheRustedGarage]

I’m not sure which wire but I believe the whole cluster gets a ground from that large plug toward the left side

[@thiagarajgovindaraju221]

my clock when the engine is OFF and stop working when engine is ON. why is that so? hope you would help

[@TheRustedGarage]

That is a strange one check for custom wiring or anything like that maybe a problem with the relays you might have other things that don't work check for common denominators and swap for another clock if you can if nothing else

[@ianzleig7679]

I'm guessing the capacitors need replacing on the clock.

[@AliKhan-ok6ph]

How to remove the glass of speedometer

[@TheRustedGarage]

Go to 14:10 ish there are directions on the video briefly

[@pasqualesalzillo788]

come hai tolto il vetro?

[@TheRustedGarage]

essere sicuro e farlo a proprio rischio. preriscaldare il forno a 200 gradi F e lasciare agire per 5-10 minuti. la colla dovrebbe allentarsi.

[@gilbertinabrozina8382]

❣️ *Promo SM*