I am replacing my cracked 3rd tail light. From reading past questions and answers, I have been able to remove the trunk lid liner, remove the old one and get the new one plugged in and at the correct location. Thanks to whomever said to put the top down first... what a tip! My old light seemed to just "be" where it was supposed to be without any screws holding it in place. Do the two upper or two lower metal flange things on the holder (that holds the actual light) somehow fit somewhere on the trunk lid? Or is there a place to bolt the holder with light to the trunk lid? I have managed to make it this far but cannot figure out or find out how to stabilize it once it is at the location it should go. I am a woman so pictures would help greatly since I have no idea what most of the parts are called. I hope someone can help me finish this project. Thank you so much, in advance.
Replacing 3rd tail light on '04 SL500
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Pictures help everyone Katee, including us.
Post a couple of where you are at. I have done this job but it's all back together now, but it wasn't hard to get it all to line up. Send some pics to jog the old memory bank.
Cover the roof with a thick soft protector, then maybe hard cardboard when you're working above it so you don't damage it. It's so easy to drop tools on it.
Post a couple of where you are at. I have done this job but it's all back together now, but it wasn't hard to get it all to line up. Send some pics to jog the old memory bank.
Cover the roof with a thick soft protector, then maybe hard cardboard when you're working above it so you don't damage it. It's so easy to drop tools on it.
Thank you so much for your time and help. I will absolutely take photos tomorrow and post for you. And yes...I did - and will continue to cover the roof. Great idea to cover with cardboard plus my thick towel.
I seem to remember the light has thin steel supports that have to be slotted into a spot on the boot frame.
Perhaps they're bent out of alignment?
Anyway, send some pics and someone will know.
Perhaps they're bent out of alignment?
Anyway, send some pics and someone will know.
Yes,two above and two below the actual light - actually part of the holder. So are you saying there may be slots that those supports possibly slide into? I would love to show you the actual light even though I am sure you have seen them...but I have managed to get it to where it needs to be and rather not fight with it again.
If you can get your phone up in there to take some shots, I am sure we can help. I just can't remember now though.
While it's all apart, great time to take the boot lock out and glue up the air leaks. They all leak in the end, sure as eggs, but yours might have been replaced. I would definitely check yours out.
While it's all apart, great time to take the boot lock out and glue up the air leaks. They all leak in the end, sure as eggs, but yours might have been replaced. I would definitely check yours out.
Have Trunk Soft Close / Trunk Assist problems. Here is how to fix DIY. - MBWorld.org Forums
SL-Class (R230) - Have Trunk Soft Close / Trunk Assist problems. Here is how to fix DIY. - A common problem on many of our cars is the the trunk assist will randomly stop working one day, and you won't know why. You can unhook the convenience battery and reconnect, and the soft close function...
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I too am getting ready to change mine. I also have to change my trunk latch and am waiting to do both at the same time. I made the mistake of getting a cheap aftermarket light when I first bought my car and it faded really bad and looks like crap now. Here is the OEM new one.
If it helps, slip the lense through the outside and the metal clamp from the back of the trunk lid to clamp the light to the trunk sheet metal. Don't forget to peel off the paper from the gasket so it seals to the sheet metal.
If it helps, slip the lense through the outside and the metal clamp from the back of the trunk lid to clamp the light to the trunk sheet metal. Don't forget to peel off the paper from the gasket so it seals to the sheet metal.
Attachments
OK.. yesterday I was very tired and may have not thought things through. I am enclosing pics of the old light I took out (which was unattached except to the wire). Thinking I had to get the entire new one in that same spot, I managed to get it all inside. Now that I am clearer thinking, I probably should have unbolted the actual light from the holder and install the holder inside and then put the light in from outside...?? If I get a yes on this... I will remove it all and hopefully sOr maybe not..?
![Automotive exterior Bumper Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Hood]()
![Netbook Motor vehicle Hood Grille Bumper]()
![Automotive exterior Bumper Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Hood]()
![Netbook Motor vehicle Hood Grille Bumper]()
Ah.
The light assembly is broken away from the red lens. Where is that?
Probably still on the car. Pop it out, then it will all be clear.
Undo the bracket from the light. The new light-and-lens assembly goes in from the outside, and the holder bolts in from the inside.
The light assembly is broken away from the red lens. Where is that?
Probably still on the car. Pop it out, then it will all be clear.
Undo the bracket from the light. The new light-and-lens assembly goes in from the outside, and the holder bolts in from the inside.
I think I have actually done it!! I kept worrying about how to make it "attach" to something. But, actually, when you tighten the two bolts on the back side... the 4 little metal bent support things tighten against the inside of the lid. So that is what keeps it in place. The last problem I am having is knowing when to stop tightening. I do not want to break the new lens/light, but it is not yet flush with the outside of the trunk lid. It may be due to the new gasket I suppose. Could you please confirm that the lens should flush with the lid? After this, it will be time to put the liner and screw two wedge shaped things back on.
( of course.... as soon as I got it re-attached to the wire, I had to be sure it was working and YES!)
The lens is definitely flush with the boot lid.
I'd take it out at this point and press it in from the outside to compress the new gasket into place. Make sure there's no grit in the seating surface or on the gasket.
You can press pretty firmly on it if necessary, to seat it in place, but not so hard that you crack it, obviously.
Then fit the mounting bracket. Go finger tight with all the nuts, then nip them up with the socket wrench. Looking at it, when the nuts are tight on the bracket, the back of the light is pulled tight onto the bracket so you can't really overtighten it and crack it. Probably no more than one full turn after finger tight.
I'd take it out at this point and press it in from the outside to compress the new gasket into place. Make sure there's no grit in the seating surface or on the gasket.
You can press pretty firmly on it if necessary, to seat it in place, but not so hard that you crack it, obviously.
Then fit the mounting bracket. Go finger tight with all the nuts, then nip them up with the socket wrench. Looking at it, when the nuts are tight on the bracket, the back of the light is pulled tight onto the bracket so you can't really overtighten it and crack it. Probably no more than one full turn after finger tight.
The threaded studs are just set in the plastic on the back of the light. Definitely would crack and rip out if overtightened.
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I replaced the one in my SL600 because it was cracked. As a reminder, never slam your trunk lid shut, even if your hydraulic trunk lid mechanism is not working right: this is a quick way to crack the third brake light! Report back on how many band-aids you had to wear after this job, I had to wear quite a few!! LoL
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