[bavenda]

is cracked. Any idea how to replace it?

It is about 3 inches wide, rounded and is between the rear window in the cargo area and the back window.

 

[sosh]

Known problem on older ML's. Held on with double face tape. Part available from your dealer. Tape must be installed in exactly the correct pattern to prevent future cracks in the new piece.

 

[LOCHS 2]

Both of the pillar covers on my 99 finally cracked horizontally near the center

bavenda - 4/11/2005 9:58 AM

is cracked. Any idea how to replace it?

It is about 3 inches wide, rounded and is between the rear window in the cargo area and the back window.

Parts were $146 and labor was $500. Pricey but I could not live with the ugliness of the cracks. A private shop would I'm sure do it for much less.

part#'s:

163-690-05-87 & 163-690-06-87 "Ornamental C"

 

[davesml320]

Both my D pillar covers were cracked. Dealer replaced them no questions asked. Tech also stated that they are installed using the same adhesive used for the installation of the winshield and rear window.

Dave

 

[rudeney]

Yes, they are now installed using a urethane adhesive (maybe the two-sided tape was causing the cracks?). Any trim and glass shop should be able to easily handle the install, but part will likey have to come from MBZ. Mine never cracked, but the clear coat began to peel so I had them replaced under warranty.

- RODNEY

 

[bavenda]

Thanks for the replies

I will follow your advice and buy the part and have an auto glass company put it in.

 

[JG]

RE: Both of the pillar covers on my 99 finally cracked horizontally near the center

LOCHS 2 - 4/11/2005 6:39 PM

Parts were $146 and labor was $500. Pricey but I could not live with the ugliness of the cracks. A private shop would I'm sure do it for much less.

part#'s:

163-690-05-87 & 163-690-06-87 "Ornamental C"

$500 for labor [:0] I really hope that you were not charged that much. There is no way it takes that long. I need to change one myself and from my research, you just need to heat them up and pry them off. I believe the new parts come with tape already attached.

 

[LOCHS 2]

They always inflate the line items and then give me a discount at the end

so the net cost was more like $250. They're a dishonest greedy business but I let them take advantage of me a bit because they do many non-oem installs for me that they won't do for everyone else. They do whatever I want without questions.

 

[Gamy]

Just received replacement panels Parts # A163 690 05 87 to replace the ones the dealer installed under warranty some time ago, one disappeared while on the road and the adhesive block is still on the vehicle, the other one happened to come off while the car was still parked on the driveway and I re-glued it with JB Weld adhesive. Both had lost the shiny finish from factory and were due for replacement anyway. I live in south central New Mexico and for some repairs I take my 2002 ML500 to the dealer across the border in Cd Juárez, Cihuahua and I have already talked to them about replacing these parts. They are Mercedes Benz trained specialist at he Mercedes Benz dealer there, but their cost for labor makes the trip worthwhile. Regular service usually I have it done at the El Paso TX, dealer.

 

[Noodles]

I had to replace one. The local dealer had it in stock. I used a 3M auto body and windshield adhesive. Some painter's tape to hold it in place overnight and now it would take a small amount of TNT to blast it of the D pillar.

 

[Hirnbeiss]

Has anyone just repaired and repainted these covers?

 

[Noodles]

If they are intact they can be refinished to look like new.