jhillman

Does anyone know how to remove the left side panel around the center console area of a 2003 C320 sedan? The piece I'm referring to is marked "A" in the attached picture. (I already know how to remove the shift gate and the wood piece around the shifter.)

Thanks in advance.

MB-BOB

Why do you need to remove that piece? I have wired several things from the fuse box over to the center console area, and was able to "fish" the wiring below the steering wheel, which has ample access once you remove the lower dash kick panel. That route is much easier than removing the mid-dash bits. Tell us what you want to do and we'll be better able to help.

otmal

My guess is that you will need to remove the center "wood trim"
(around the radio) before you can do anything to the side panel.

Someone has posted instruction on how to remove the "wood
trim".

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=13302

jhillman

I need to remove it because I have this annoying rattle under there (something's loose I assume) that the dealer can't seem to diagnose or repair. I've had it in the shop twice for this, and out of frustration, just want to take care of it myself now.

Harris

I have the same problem as you. And here is what you should do:
No need to remove the piece that you want to remove (it is a VERY complicated thing to do). Rather, remove the wood trim of the centre console, put a long piece of foam tape (10mmx70mm)along the "inside edge" of the panel. Then put everything back on. The pressure of the added thickness from the tape will ease the rattling sound completely.

Good luck!!!

mbtech208

Here's how to take that piece off. First, you remove the center console, then remove the wood trim around the radio. Then remove the radio. Then take out the black panel underneath the dash in the driver's footwell. Then take out the light switch module. Next, remove the panel on the side of the dash. Then there are 4 Torx screws that hold the dash piece on, remove those. Unscrew the bezel around the ignition switch. Unhook the release cable for the parking brake. Then the whole dash piece comes off. It's a pain in the ***, I hope you have a lot of patience. The hardest part is separating the junction of the center console and dash.

jhillman

Okay, now I'm liking the easier idea. How do I remove the wood panel piece around the center console? I think I'll try what Harris did.

jhillman

Okay, now I'm liking the easier idea. How do I remove the wood panel piece around the center console? I think I'll try what Harris did.

jhillman

Anyone know how to remove the wood around the center console?

otmal

the 3rd post of this thread.

Harris

Pull out the shifter, then remove the trim under it by pulling it out carefully!. Then remove the ashtray. There you will see two clips on each side under the centre trim, those are spring clips, so if you pull it slightly, the centre trim will pop outward. DO NOT take the whole piece out, put the foam tape on and put everything back on. Hope this helps!!

Harris

jhillman: just curious, were you able to fix your problem?

jhillman

I bought the felt but I haven't yet had time to work on it.

jhillman

Okay. I padded everything from the sides of the wood trim around the center onsole to underneath the trim around the shiftgate and ashtray area. I still have a minor rattle, but I think it's better than it was before.

Harris

The tape is not thick enough, either add one more layer or get thicker ones. Can you take a pic of the padded areas?

bobbyrab

I tried a different approach to a generalized rattle that I thought was coming from the center console or radio stack; I got a hold of a can of silicon spray and with the straw attached, just simply sprayed into every crevice I could find, both plastic and soft vinyl. It did the trick, do more creaking, no more rattle!