Action packed with issues! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mlmonkey · #1 08-31-2006, 04:36 PM

First of all I want to thank eveyone that contributes to this forum. It has saved me LOTS of money!!

1999 ml430 125,000miles

The front passenger side cup holder has, after reassembling many times, broken beyond repair. I haven't looked at this much but I need it replaced. Anyone do this before? Any place I can buy one at a good price?

I also have been experiencing clunking from the front passenger side while turning left at low speeds and while coming to a stop. Probably a coupling problem in half shafts (or whatever the correct term is). Just looking for the right order of diagnosing this problem. Where should I look first?

I also have an issue with the rear license plate mounting. The scews are seized and a couple of the "threaded nut spacer thingys" are spinning free. Is there a way to remove these without taking of the interior panel?

If it is not proper to have multiple questions in one thread I appologize.

Gilly · #2 08-31-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mlmonkey

First of all I want to thank eveyone that contributes to this forum. It has saved me LOTS of money!!

1999 ml430 125,000miles

The front passenger side cup holder has, after reassembling many times, broken beyond repair. I haven't looked at this much but I need it replaced. Anyone do this before? Any place I can buy one at a good price?

You can certainly inquire Phil here at Mercedesshop, it helps support this site. There is a panel on the right side of the dash that pulls off, and a screw under there. Remove that screw and remove the glovebox, will give good clearance to get behind the dash with your hand and remove the 4 screws to remove the entire cup holder. They are very small Torx head screws, right around T8 I believe.

I also have been experiencing clunking from the front passenger side while turning left at low speeds and while coming to a stop. Probably a coupling problem in half shafts (or whatever the correct term is). Just looking for the right order of diagnosing this problem. Where should I look first?
Doesn't sound exactly like it, but I would look to see if the front swaybar links have been replaced with the new ones. I think the 99's still had the old ones.

I also have an issue with the rear license plate mounting. The scews are seized and a couple of the "threaded nut spacer thingys" are spinning free. Is there a way to remove these without taking of the interior panel?
You could grind them down and let the inside part fall in to the panel, but they'll probably rattle around a bit, so may be better to pull the inside panel out. Normally this is how I did it anyways.

If it is not proper to have multiple questions in one thread I appologize.

Not a problem as long as it's all for the same vehicle.
Gilly

YuCrew · #3 08-31-2006, 08:56 PM

With regards to the spinning nuts for the rear license plate....

I popped off a few of the fasteners holding the interior panel/trim, reach up with long nose vise grips and simply bent the nut back and forth until it broke. Now the "nut" is in 2 pieces.....one outside and one in the vise grip.

I'm totally unimpressed with this design. Seems to me the simple black or white plastic ones that go into a square hole from outside the vehicle (as used on MANY cars) is a more than adequate design. This is either over-engineered or a poorly installed fastener....maybe a combination of both.

Good luck.

Gilly · #4 08-31-2006, 10:28 PM

If you just use a bit of grease when putting in the screw holes the first time (such as during pre-delivery inspection) the screws won't seize. Someone I know took the extra 60 seconds (max) that this required when he did a PDI.
Gilly

YuCrew · #5 09-04-2006, 02:33 PM

Hope the attached picture helps you visualize the part.

Item on the left is new, uninstalled part (one piece).

2 items on the right were a single piece, before removal.