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How to repair side dash covers + unbelievable Australia prices
The two side covers of the dashboard, one next to the glove box and the other on the other side of the dash:
Have had almost all their clips broken when I tried to remove them, same thing happened at the wreckers. Now one would think how much could such crap quality possibly cost from Mercedes.
Brace yourselves in Australia, for the two pieces they want:
$406.20
I literally can't make this **** up. Someone should be in Jail for even daring to send me such a quote for two pieces of ABS plastic.
How have people around here fixed this, it must be quite common because if you ever went to check your fuses you would have broken the tabs.
These same parts in the US are about $10-$15 each!!!!!! problem is it looks like the RHD and LHD dashes are not the same on the sides.
I'm contemplating just siliconing them on or plastic welding some tree fasteners to them, any ideas ?
The two side covers of the dashboard, one next to the glove box and the other on the other side of the dash:
Have had almost all their clips broken when I tried to remove them, same thing happened at the wreckers. Now one would think how much could such crap quality possibly cost from Mercedes.
Brace yourselves in Australia, for the two pieces they want:
$406.20
I literally can't make this **** up. Someone should be in Jail for even daring to send me such a quote for two pieces of ABS plastic.
How have people around here fixed this, it must be quite common because if you ever went to check your fuses you would have broken the tabs.
These same parts in the US are about $10-$15 each!!!!!! problem is it looks like the RHD and LHD dashes are not the same on the sides.
I'm contemplating just siliconing them on or plastic welding some tree fasteners to them, any ideas ?
Yeah those panels are notorious for breaking. They're poorly designed. The "clips" are way too thin and become brittle with age. I have replaced mine 3 times over...though I do take them off constantly.
If you still have the clips plastic weld them. This stuff works pretty well:
Another alternative is to 3D print some replacement clips that are thicker and glue them in place. There are plenty materials available that should provide the flexibility and temperature resitance to work well.
Yeah those panels are notorious for breaking. They're poorly designed. The "clips" are way too thin and become brittle with age. I have replaced mine 3 times over...though I do take them off constantly.
If you still have the clips plastic weld them. This stuff works pretty well:
Another alternative is to 3D print some replacement clips that are thicker and glue them in place. There are plenty materials available that should provide the flexibility and temperature resitance to work well.
Also, why not simply buy from an American dealer?
I don't have the pieces, i just bought the car and they came broken, otherwise would have been an easy fix with a soldering iron.
I mentioned RHD and LHD parts arent the same for some reason.
Mine were also broken when I got the car. I glued one on. Not a good solution and not what I wanted to do but it worked well and could be removed if ever required.