My auto-pop-up cup holder in the center console was not opening so I removed the entire unit........I think it just needed cleaning. However, when I tried to open the assembly after removal, the roller and spring pop out and I can't figure how to reinstall it........see the image. Can anyone give me the secret to reinstalling the roller and spring?

 

Sorry, looks like this is late. If you haven't already figured things out yourself, take a look at the right side of the cup holder (right side when installed in the car - it's at the top in your picture). There is a slot near the top.

Fish a loop of thread through the slot, out the bottom of the cup holder, and around the tang on the spring. Put the roller inside the spring, turn the spring and roller 90 degrees from the way you have the parts in the picture, and drop them into what looks like a square hole at the top of the picture. You'll see pretty quickly how it goes. The spring should unroll so the tang travels up the inside wall of the right side of the cup holder.

Pull on the thread and work with the spring and the mechanism until the tang is up to the slot. When the end of the spring is high enough, the tang will lock into what I assume is a couple of protrusions on the inside of the wall just below the slot. At that point you can pull one end of the string until it comes out, and you should be done.

The top end of the spring will end up just above the top of the slot. If you have problems working through the slot, you might also be able to fish the thread through the space between the upper mechanism and the right side wall, and just use the slot to poke and prod the spring if it needs it. I haven't tried doing it that way, but it looks like it should work.

 

Thanks DanG2, I'll try the procedures you offered. I also need to clean and oil the unit since I think it was kind of gummed up some from coffee and other drink spills.

 

sorry to raise an old thread from the dead, but I have the same exact problem! (even the same pictured parts).

Has anyone had success fixing it?

 

After further investigation, I realized the plastic slot that holds the end of the spring was broken. So, I ended up ordering a new one...........best price for a new one is at GetMercedesParts.com (Mercedes Benz of Annapolis MD). I recall their price is about $60 compared to about $89 at your local MB Dealer.