MIne broke and i'm getting Pissed off with it.
Is your paper clip job still holding ??
If so, can you share some notes/tips......I have to do this ASAP.

Mine broke and i'm getting Pissed off with it.
Is your paper clip job still holding ??
If so, can you share some notes/tips......I have to do this ASAP.

Still working like a charm. I never even think about it, unless I'm pulling the trim, which hasn't happened for years.

Brilliant so simple, found superglue holds paperclip in place better, also all existing clips had moved inwards, slight touch on the plastic with a soldering iron enables moving clips back to correct place, many thanks.

is it easy to pop off the bezel?

Yes prise up but I think this is why the hooky bits break, suggest you remove the wood/ali surround then with access to the underside carefully push hook clips. The surround is removed by lifting the front edge, with ashtray open, the 2 clips are pretty strong so requires a good pull, it then slides forward to disengage from armrest, Gear lever needs to be in neutral. The gear knob lifts off the shaft by twisting the knurled base part of the knob by about 45 degrees, unplug the wiring connector and its free to do the paperclip mod, if you are lucky you only have 1 clip broken like mine and rebend existing clips if required with the soldering iron trick. Assembly is reverse note a good thump is needed to seat the wood/ali surround. Hope this helps.

Well I finally took the plunge and decided to repair my shift ring also. I modified the paperclip method slightly but the concept is the same. Two of my clips were still okay so I added 2 of the wire clips to secure it. I chose to use some .040 stainless wire that I already had instead of paper clips. I was thinking it might be stronger than the paper clip. I used a .040 drill for the pilot holes. I had purchased the wire previously from McMaster Carr. You could really spend as much time as you want fabricating the clips but mine seem to work okay and the trim is still removable. I chose to drill through the rubber flange since it felt more solid. I just used my fingers to twist the drill through the material. Once I worked it though the hole I put a slight bend on the inside to keep it from backing out. Overall I'm pleased with the results and the price for me was 0 since I had the materials. I'm glad this idea was posted. It's a really easy project.

Just my thoughts.

srb1194

Guys, I can't thank you enough for posting this fix. Two of the four clips on the chrome shifter bezel on my C55 snapped off and the thing jumped out of position every time I put it in park. A new bezel is $265 now, best I found was $195 at parts.com and Potomac hasn't returned my email yet. However, the paper clip fix is free and fast. I followed the instructions, only had to make one clip, moisturized my gearshift boot and finished in less than 30 minutes -- looks great and doesn't move. I agree with C230 Sport Coup -- if I buy a new one, it will only break. Why bother? This fix is permanent. Hell, if the paper clip wears out, the drilled holes are still there, I can replace it in less than 5 minutes.

That stupid trim piece on my shifter broke (2004 C240) about 4 years ago - had it fixed at the dealer because I couldn't find the part (doh! - and I have fixed the broken door handle piece myself - after having the dealer fix that the first time - where it broke again after 1 year...) - We'll of course the dealer said - you cannot buy just the plastic POS piece - you have to buy the electronics as well - unbelievable for such a weak piece - anyhow - the second one has broken. So do NOT throw many at this by buying a new part - it is defective it will always brake!

Now I'm going to do this trick and hopefully fix it once and for all. I know I should have checked back with this forum the first time - I just couldn't figure out what the darn thing was called.

Thanks!

Damn!!! Just now noticed this thread. Thanks for bumping it up.

My daughter has been complaining about loose shifter surround for some time now. Just wish I had time to do this. Hopefully in a few weeks.

please supply step by step instructions for paper clip repair as I am a real D.A.

Paper clip fix worked like a dream- been holding up for two weeks. Thanks for the post!

Hot glue gun. Works really well. No holes to drill, nothing to bend.

Added a photo. Glue around all the edges.

Let see we got "
1. 040" stainless wire, very professional!
2. Paperclips, using what's available...and FTW
3. Hot glue

I vote for the hot glue as the cheesiest, yet effective fix. Award please!
At least with the paperclips you can bend them to remove the bezel.

lol My solution was the best...
Sell the car and get a w211

IDK. That seems like an expensive fix to me.

Was probably cheaper than buying a new shifter from a MB dealer though

I always planed on doing the paper clip fix but never got around to it and didn't want to go with the hot glue or JB Weld like others had

Mine broke too a while ago too. I tried superglue and it didnt work. I just ordered a replacement and its all good now.

How do you get the shifter knob out. I want to do this but am stuck with the shifter knob. Please some one direct me on how to remove the shifter knob....Don't want to break some thing to fix something...any help is much appreciated in this direction.

Javvy

Have you removed the boot? If so, then just pull up. It will require just enough force so that you almost hit yourself in the face when it finally gives up the ghost. It is a surprising amount of effort that you need.

You don't have to twist the bottom of the knob or anything?

if the boot is off, you've already done that

1. I used a thin screw driver and then use a lighter to heat it up, then drill a small hole for the paper clip. But be careful not to damage the plastic.

2. Use the hot Glue gun to put the glue around the bezel after putting the paper clip.


Finally, I think it will never move out. Thanks for sharing this idea before.
I think it's really stupid to buy a new trim cause it will not last long.