CanadianSteel

Have a problem with the cup holder, seems when i push the open button nothing happens, i have to pull it up manually. Is there a way of fixing/cleaning it out to make it function again?

mskembo

Having the same issue, the only solution I've really considered is clicking on the yellow tag up top (mymercedesparts.com) and paying the $59 for a new one. There is 0.0% chance of me taking apart my console to "clean" it out without having a brand new one standing by in case it doesn't work.

vdemon311

its actually very simple to remove the cupholder ,disasemble, clean/lubricate the mini gears underneath, and put back together. Its only one small torx screw to remove the entire assembly.I did so in january. Initially I wanted to just replace the top chrome ring on the cup holder due to peeling, but decided to go all out once removed. Have a go, don't worry you wont hurt you car .

mskembo

This sounds like a great time to post a DIY and pictures! If it's that easy to remove, then I will definitely try it. But yeah my chrome ring is history too, so I'll probably replace it anyway.

ffejalink

You replace just the chrome ring? I thought it was all one unit.

Outkasted24

Same Issue, How do you remove it?

vdemon311

the chrome ring and the top cap are both separate pieces... I will post some pictures later tonight for you guys

vdemon311

replaced just the chrome ring.. 4$ at mercedes... for a cheap chrome piece

CanadianSteel

Thanks, pics would be great. It would cost $100 by the time a new one was shipped. If i can take it out and clean/fix it myself it would be great.

mskembo

+1
look forward to the pics... If my power comes back on before then! Stupid wind.

pcy

Would you please post the part number for the chrome ring only? Thanks.

vdemon311

Step 1: Pull up and forward on the center console trim. Lift it up and turn it sideways so you have room to remove the cupholder





press the open button on the cupholder so it lifts up (or lift it up and turn it if its stuck which it always was before i did this). Remove the very bottom rubber cover of the cupholder assembly and unscrew the T20 torx screw. My assembly only had 1 screw, I believe some models have 2. Thats it, the cup holder assembly will lift with a nice tug. More to come

vdemon311

vdemon311

Step 2: The fun part.If you actually take a look at the top cup holder, it is made up of 3 pieces; the top , the chrome piece, and the actual cup. On the bottom left and right side of the actual top cup holder you will see two tabs. Pushing these tabs in and prying up on the top piece will slide the cup holder apart into 2 pieces. I used a screwdriver to pry. Put some electric tape on the edge to not hurt the plastic.

vdemon311

Step 3: if you turn the top separated cup upside down, you will see 2 screws on the left and right these screws are t15 torx. . Removing these will separate the chrome piece from the cup holder. Sooo.. now you have a top separate holder, a separate piece of the top cup holder ( the actual cup), a chrome piece( all mangled from abuse), and the cup holder asembly on the bottom of all that.

vdemon311

I just replaced the top chrome Piece
Step 4: This is for those of you wanting a little more movement from your cup holder. Turn the actual big cup holder asembly upside down and look through the bottom to the two rotating gears. One is beige on the left and the other is black. The black moves the holder up and down, the beige moves it left and right. I lubed both up with a few drops of gear oil I had sitting around from the chainsaw ( later to find out it was molykote em30L, which is even better ). Made a big difference for me.





All done. Put in the new chrome piece, reassemble backwards, pretty self explanatory, and enjoy. I guess this would take about 30 mins max. 59$ for a new cupholder isn't bad, but 4$ and some alone time isn't bad either.

vdemon311

I found the part number through EPC. I think this is a very valuable tool. Registering on the website is fast and easy. The best part is it's free for a year.

part # A 203 683 01 94 <--- wrong part number sorry, it helped me get the chrome ring, but that part is just the rubber piece that goes in the cupholder

item 157 in epc designated truss, top, code 309

vdemon311

to clarify, I circled the two gears needed to be lubricated in red. Lubricate the gear, move it around in the direction it was designed for (up and down or left and right). Lubricate it again one last time. Move it around again and you should have one smooth moving cup holder

91RS

Thanks for the part number, mine is also peeling. I thought I had to replace the whole thing.

CanadianSteel

WOW!! You just made a few guys happy with that, thanks a ton!!!


One question, what kind of lubrication did you use?

vdemon311

molykote EM-30L. Great plastic lubricant. bought it on ebay and put it in a john deere gear oil dispenser (forgot about that).

mskembo

Awesome DIY, this definitely deserves a Sticky! Great job. I'll be replacing the trim ring instead of the whole thing now.

vdemon311

Thanks mskembo, unfortunately someone messaged me and told me that the part number I posted uptop is incorrect and refers to the circular rubber insert that goes inside the cupholder. I used this part number when I went to freehold mercedes here in central NJ, but I also brought the original chrome piece with me to show the parts and service clerk. He looked at it and brought me a brand new one. I found my invoice last night from the receipt and aparently the part I bought doesn't even have a part number. There is nothing listed under part number. just " ----". So I might have just gotten lucky. To all those looking to replace just the chrome piece, you might be out of luck because that part number will not help you. If you are just looking to fix the movement mechanism of the cupholder though, molykote will do you justice.

vdemon311

Might have to cough up that $59 after all.

jspecteggy

I vote this should be a sticky, since a lot of us are having the same problem.