Hey all!

Sorry I've been away so long but I recently had to have surgery on my left hand due to a brake light bulb from a C280 shattering while I was removing it :( :(

Anyhow, After the fact, I read up on a service bulletin about how the reflective piece behind the bulb (top most bulb, '94-'99 C-class) comes loose and melts the bulb in the socket making removal tough. I went to grab the bulb and while I was twisting it just shattered all in my hand. Although in keeping with the Mercedes-Benz customer service standards, I did still replace the bulb for the lady (albeit with one extremely bloody hand--I used my right hand this time) and learned my lesson the hard way. Two emergency room doctors could not manage to get any of the glass out, even under a real-time x-ray or so called floroscopy. And it took 6 shots of novicaine to get my hand numb enough for them to even try. So the following Monday I had surgery (this occurred on a Saturday) and have been squeaking by as a right hand bandit for a couple weeks now. Went back to work the next day after surgery (again, keeping with a loyal commitment to Mercedes-Benz service) but would love to have some feeling back in my fingers by now! So I'm typing this one handed, and I hope it's legible! Anyhow, a lesson for everyone, PLEASE use thick gloves or alot of rags to grab any of these bulbs because this has been a major pain in the you-know-where. Ok, enough for now, I'll keep watch on the board and as soon as I'm good as new again, I'll do my damdest to help you all out once again!

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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'86 420SEL
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'84 BMW 745i Turbo

Hey Aaron, you are a trooper and a real
gentleman! No negativety on your behalf
after such a bummer event.
Hope you get sensitivety back
at your fingers.
Take care!
p.s. welcome back :)

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1979 300D
133K miles
1989 300SE
1995 C280

Sorry to hear that. it is pretty bad not to have any feeling did you sever a nerve.
feel better

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Dan Younes
---------------
1985 euro 500sel 223k
1986 420sel 86k soon 2 be
1981 300sd 285k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 140k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 295k
1994 S500
(hopefully someday)

I wish you well...that sucks.

I had a bulb shatter in a similar situation with me once, but somehow I remained unscathed. But I've not taken the same chance since...I've taken your sage advice.

Good luck with your recovery :D

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All the best, Michael
500E
300TE

Thank you for sharing your bad experience. Who knows, may be you just save somebody's hand/finger with your advice. I know I will be extremelly carefull next time I change any lighbulb.
I hope you recover 100% very soon.
Regards

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J.H.
'86 300E

.....me too, hope the finger heals real quick, imagine that must have been one painful event !

Sure sorry to learn of your accident. Hope it all heals quickly and completely now.

Here is a tip to all (perhaps): I keep a short length of heater hose on hand for removing bulbs. The rubber grips the bulb for pushing and turning and the hand doesn't come in contact with the bulb until it is loose. Has always worked, even on rusted-in bulbs. Hope this helps.

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Ted
1979 240D
160,000 miles

Aaron,

I hope you get back to normal soon. Health is something we take for granted until we don't have it.

Other than this major situation, how is your new job going?

Thanks for keeping us informed, and we all hope you get back up to speed soon.

Take care of yourself,


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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I hope you have a speedy recovery!

Bummer, Aaron. Well, glad to have you back here on the mbshop forum. With how smart you are I KNEW you had to be a lefty!



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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

Gentlemen,

Just wanted to thank each and every one of you for your kind words! I'm slowly getting back in the normal routine but it'll be 6 months to a year before I regain feeling in my thumb. Oh well, I guess things like this are bound to happen, although I should have been smarter than I was in that situation. On another note, the new job is going excellent and we're due to leave for MB tech school in December. I've seen some amazing cars so far such as a '01 S500 with $24,000 just in options!! Hope I never have to work on that one in 20 years! :) I did have a pleasant surprise the other day when I walked into the shop and saw a '99 Gelandewagen G500 in my bay awaiting service. I've only ever seen one in person and I finally had some hands-on experience with one! Ok, I'll be in touch. Keep up the good work guys!


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'86 420SEL
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'84 BMW 745i Turbo