W107: Horrible gap between windshield and dash?

[S320L1999]

Hello:

Can this "gap" be covered/fixed?

There is something missing?

Are all W107 like this? It looks terrible.

Thank you.

[GrandpaLarry]

My 89 560SL has what looks like a black fabric filler in this area and still looks good. My 79 450SL has the same fabric looking filler but it has bleached out so that it is a dirty white like your picture. I don't know how you would access this area short of taking out the windshield. You might be able to dye the fabric black again with a curved applicator and some black liquid shoe polish.

[dugald]

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c1...sh-gasket.html

[Alkraut]

I believe that this seller on Ebay has the correct trim. Comes in black. $70 includes the shipping. Not sure I can leave an Ebay link on this forum, so do a search for: Dash Trim W107 280SL 350SL 380SL 420SL 450SL 560SL NEW

Let us know if you get it, and how it works.

[S320L1999]

thanks for the post, I think the most reasonable solution is getting it covered or dyed.

Removing the dash or windshield is too much work.

Can someone post pictures of the "home fixes"?

thanks

[4wsboy]

Originally Posted by S320L1999

Hello:

Can this "gap" be covered/fixed?

There is something missing?

Are all W107 like this? It looks terrible.

Thank you.

Mine is out a bit all along , but not quite that much, is there a problem with that fabric 'edging' on the inside too?

Does it leak water into the cabin?

[Chemtj]

I bought some of the material Alkraut mentioned in his post. It appears to be some generic rubber weatherstrip. I tried to install it on one of the spare dashes I have. It aparently is not intendes for the 107s as it does not fit. I cannot see how it will work. I am going to sew new cloth, possibly a nylon or other synthetic fabric on the dash before I install it. I have 2 spare dashes and they as well as the original in the car have the deteriorated cloth. I believe its only function is to keep the dash crom squeeking when ti moves against the windsheild glass, but I may be wrong.

[sergiobarlozzi]

This "gap" is really horrible. Rarely MB made mistakes, but this is one of that! I bought a weather strip from a guy on eBay. He says that this strip is a dismissed OEM but, honestly, I don't think so. But I must say that it works and it is "better than before". I've tried to fit this damn strip for weeks: windshield removed, dash moved a bit back, cleaned the dash from the ugly cloth and then tried to put this thing in every possible manner. Finally I have found a working way: Dash in the original position, firmed with the famous three bolts (sides and central) then "squeezed" the strip between dash and firewall. It works.

[donbryce]

I cut pieces of velcro, the fuzzy side, lengthways and spent HOURS and HOURS working it into the space with all kinds of sticks and things. It has a sticky back, so proved to be very difficult to work into place in the part behind the instrument cluster. The car is still in storage, but I'll take a picture when it comes out. IIRC, it looks much better than the frayed and faded cloth on the original.

[Aussiemerc]

Originally Posted by donbryce

I cut pieces of velcro, the fuzzy side, lengthways and spent HOURS and HOURS working it into the space with all kinds of sticks and things. It has a sticky back, so proved to be very difficult to work into place in the part behind the instrument cluster. The car is still in storage, but I'll take a picture when it comes out. IIRC, it looks much better than the frayed and faded cloth on the original.

That sounds like a good idea.My dash is out and the cloth is black but ratty. The original seems to be sewn on? Is there an OEM part available? Maybe the velcro route is good.