Return to the BUILD
“Fit the dashboard support frame to the back of the dashboard, insert the steering shaft, mount the dashboard onto the main chassis, add the left and right struts, and position the steering wheel.”
Contents
Parts
- 50A – Dashboard Support Frame
- 50B – Dashboard Frame Left Strut
- 50C – Dashboard Frame Right Strut
- 4x CM screws (+2 spare)
- 1x EM screw (+1 spare)
- 4x GM screws (+2 spare)
- 2x HP screws (+1 spare)
- 1x VM screw (+1 spare)
Materials: All of the parts in this phase are metal.
Build
The Dashboard Support Frame
Step 01
Retrieve your Dashboard assembly from the previous phase. Position the Dashboard Support Frame across the back of the Dashboard while passing the On-Off Switch and Wires through this section of the frame.
Make sure the tabs on the legs of the Dashboard Support Frame (circled below) point towards the front of the Dashboard:
Align the two screw holes and secure the Dashboard Support Frame to the Dashboard with two (2) HP screws:
Step 02
Retrieve your Chassis assembly. Slide the straight end of the Steering Shaft rearward through this hole of the Firewall:
Fit the angled end of the Steering Shaft down through this hole of the Steering Tie Rod (from Phase 20):
Carefully turn the Chassis assembly over and secure the Steering Shaft into place with one (1) VM screw, as shown.
It is normal for this to be a little loose to allow for the steering system to move. This is also your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Step 03
Bring the Dashboard assembly to the car and feed the plug of the On-Off Switch and Wires through this hole in the Floor Pan:
Step 04
While holding the Dashboard near the Firewall, feed the straight end of the Steering Shaft through the Steering Column, and align the legs of the Dashboard Support Frame to this location on the Chassis:
Secure the inner holes with two (2) CM screws, on on each side:
Secure the outer holes with two (2) GM screws, driving them down into the uprights of the tubular frame on each side:
Step 05
Fit the ‘flat’ end of the Dashboard Frame Left Strut down under the Firewall, aligning the other end to the back of the Dashboard Support Frame, as shown. Secure the ‘flat’ end to the Left Side Tubular Frame with one (1) CM screw:
Secure the other end to the Dashboard Support Frame with one (1) GM screw:
Step 06
Repeating this on the right side of the car, fit the ‘flat’ end of the Dashboard Frame Right Strut down under the Firewall, aligning the other end to the back of the Dashboard Support Frame, as shown. Secure the ‘flat’ end to the Right Side Tubular Frame with one (1) CM screw.
I think my Dashboard Support Frame was a little bent and made this screw quite difficult to secure. I had to twist that frame a little and re-seat the CM/GM screws to the Chassis to get this into place:
Secure the other end to the Dashboard Support Frame with one (1) GM screw:
Step 07
Retrieve the Steering Wheel from Phase 03. Rotate the locking lever to fold open the wheel and fit it to the end of the Steering Shaft:
With the Steering Wheel hinge at the bottom, secure the wheel to the Steering Shaft with one (1) EM screw:
Finally, flip the Steering Wheel up into position and secure the locking lever:
Thoughts
With this phase completed, I believe we are done with the main interior of our 300 SL. I do wish they would have supplied us with enough carpet to cover the entire floor.
Next Up
Phase 51 – Interior: Control Circuit Board, Cable Clips