You will not believe this
 

The volume knob of the radio on my 99 E430 started to peel away.
I went to the dealer to buy the knob and was told that I would have to replace the radio because the knob is not available separately.Fortunately they replaced the radio under the warranty.Has anybody had a similar experience?

Your dealer was right last week, but the knobs for Becker made Audio 30 are now available under part # Q 4 82 0116.

Thanks for the info.Do you know if this applies to the Bose systems too?

There is no Bose head unit, only AL, BE or BL. Check your code card for the model number, BE stands for Becker.

I don't have a card for the radio just for the cd changer and it says AL.I guess it's an Alpine head unit.
Does your answer still applies?

What do you mean peel away? Does the knob fall off?

Thanks
Car Nut
1999 E430 Sport

The knob is not falling off, it's outer portion is peeling off like banana skin.

The Becker knob may not fit on the Alpine head unit.

So, I guess the dealer was right.Let's hope that the new knob lasts longer.

Did a search and found this thread, I have the same problem. In fact someone thought my dog chewed on the knob!

Any one else with the problem ? Is the solution still replacing with entire new radio? :mad:

My 98 E300D has the Bose system, probably the early version ( I thought I read somewhere two different version was used that year).

The head units are the same for Bose/non-Bose. Bose compnents are "down-stream."

The Mystery of the Knob Peeling
 

To All:
Since I service all the Mercedes Radio Systems I come across alot of strange things. The knobs that are used on the Becker 1492/1692/3302 or like are made with a rubber coating over plastic. What I did find out about these knobs as to their peeling was that chemicals were being put on them and that it was the chemicals that was breaking down the rubber and the bonding material used. What chemicals you say??? Try, car washes that spray your dash with Armor All or like spray to make it look shinny. Any of these sprays contain Petroleum and other chemicals and the rubber on the knobs is sensitive to these chemicals causing it to melt away basically. So, DON'T let any sprays touch your radio or AC controls or you will be asking for problems.

www.lajollaaudiorepair.com

Cleeve Morrison
La Jolla Audio Repair

To answer the question of the alpine knobs. They are different than then becker and the knobs themselves are not interchangable. So far alpine has not sold replacement knobs for any factory radio. They want you to send it in for a rebuild just for a knob. If this is your problem Cleeve has an answer but we will have to see your radio!

Scott@lajollaaudio

Thanks for the answer, Scott. But by "see your radio" do you mean I have to send in for rebuilt, or do you want to see the damage, in which case I can just post a picture

What I mean is we have to do a modification to allow a diffferent knob to work on your radio. It doesn't mean you need a complete rebuild but it needs to be done at our shop. This would require the unit to be sent to us. Check in with Cleeve and he can help you out!

Scott@lajollaaudio