The small piece of cladding between the rear door and the rear wheel is not very securely fastened, photo attached. I've read the posts on door cladding removal but did not see how this piece is removed. Does it just pop off with a trim tool? Is it likely that the clip that holds the top is broken? Thanks for any suggestions, I don't want it to fall off!
-
Hi Guest !
Welcome to the 500Eboard forum.
Since its founding in late 2008, 500Eboard has become the leading resource on the Internet for all things related to the Mercedes-Benz 500E and E500. In recent years, we have also expanded to include the 400E and E420 models, which are directly related to the 500E/E500.
We invite you to browse and take advantage of the information and resources here on the site. If you find helpful information, please register for full membership, and you'll find even more resources available. Feel free to ask questions, and make liberal use of the "Search" function to find answers.
We hope you will become an active contributor to the community!
Sincerely,
500Eboard Management
Rear Wheel Cladding loose - how to remove?
- Thread starter ghm
- Start date
Thanks for the replies. My car is still tucked away for the winter and I am going to fix the problem before driving anywhere. I'll pop the piece off and replace any broken clips. Something must have broken, though I've had the car for a long time and never touched any of the cladding.
Here are some pics that may help. You can see where the cladding itself has torn on one of the pieces at the top where the clip is retained. It's also possible the female clip that resides in the car body has pulled out. The 3rd possibility is that the clip itself is broken. Note the slightly different bottom clip and be careful to try and pull straight away.
drew
drew
Attachments
Sheward, it sounds wrong, but given how difficult these trims are to find, I would use a sealant or some adhesive on the panel to stop it flying off.
I have found it impossible to find a replacement and would not wish to lose it.
I looked into 3D printing replacements but havent got around to it yet!
I have found it impossible to find a replacement and would not wish to lose it.
I looked into 3D printing replacements but havent got around to it yet!
That's definitely a good way to keep these trims safe in place. It's various stuff around and I would highly recommend Casco Marin & Teknik, post #1:
https://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11101
It bounds REALLY good and it's very strong but flexible. Besides using it on those AMG side skirt covers I've used it for fixing rain gutters on my house, and I recently repaired a splitted freestyle ski for my son. Curing time depends on thickness and temp of course.
Attachments
Last edited:
I took the rear wheel cladding off today. The top clip was missing and the attachment point broken in the same way as Drew posted above. No wonder it was loose! The lower cladding clip broke during removal, but fortunately the clips on the car body are fine. I will need new upper and lower cladding clips -- if anyone has the part numbers please post. Drew, I am hoping you will post details of your repair since I will be doing the same job!
Attached photos show cladding upper clip attachment point (broken), body clips, and a close-up of the painted surface. After 120K miles of being basted by road grit it looks like it might be time for new paint. Maybe it will motivate me to get the front spoiler repainted too.
Attachments
You will find the part no.s for the cladding clips here https://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6167 post no. 2. Your top clip appears to be reusable. Separate the male part of the clip with the two pins from the female part of the clip that stays in the bodywork. I'll post my repair in the next few days.
drew
drew
Actually, the top clip for this piece of cladding is not included in my link. Could someone please provide a part no. for both cladding and body side clips for this particular piece? It's shown in GHMs second photo below.The body side clip is prone to pull out and be unusable. I'm working on a repair that will be better than just epoxy however i'll try both.
drew
drew
I was going to post a more elaborate repair however i found through some experimentation on an extra part the 2 part epoxy pictured produces a good repair. I roughed up the cladding with a wire wheel and a razor knife and then cleaned the area with some alcohol. The clip bonded to the cladding (which is the wrong clip used for testing) so well that i can bend the cladding with it. I will drill a couple small holes in the correct clip when i bond it in the 036 piece. This epoxy has been around for years and should be available at a local hardware or possibly box store.
drew
drew
Attachments
I believe the part number for the upper clip that goes on the cladding is 0069887378. I have ordered a couple and will confirm. For the record, the lower clip that goes on the cladding is 0019885181.
In my case the upper cladding clip was still attached to the body clip. In order to prevent the body clip from pulling out and potentially breaking I used a screw driver to hold it firmly against the car while separating the old cladding clip.
In my case the upper cladding clip was still attached to the body clip. In order to prevent the body clip from pulling out and potentially breaking I used a screw driver to hold it firmly against the car while separating the old cladding clip.
Good that you removed it in that fashion. One of mine did come out of the body and once you see how small those particular "ears" are on the clip it is apparent that the clip should be replaced if it comes out. Thanks for the PN. I'm wanting both of the upper pieces new before i make the real repair. Be shure to keep any excess epoxy off of the side of the clip that mates to the other... unlike my test piece.
drew
drew
Drew, in case you are still looking for the part number for the top body-side clip, it is 0089973981. I decided to replace the top body clips and cladding clips since the old ones have lost a lot of their flexibility. Getting the cladding back on the car still on my "to do" list!
Attachments
I have a feeling that 3-D replacement parts will be part of the near future, as car manufacturers are starting to go NLA on parts...
Last edited:
I dont think these trims would be too difficult to produce. Given the small chrome pieces are still available..
It just seems as though its not that simple to have it done.. I looked into it and gave up as there was nobody near me.
Need to find someone who does it and get some realistic costs.
It just seems as though its not that simple to have it done.. I looked into it and gave up as there was nobody near me.
Need to find someone who does it and get some realistic costs.
