spoke

A big bubble has developed on the center console arm rest on the right half.
Is it possible to repair this or does it require a new part?
I can not figure out how to take it apart, if I could I could most likely glue it back down with contact cement. Has anyone done this? Is there pictures on how to get it apart?
E500 2004

vettdvr

I am beginning to think this problem is more common than I origionally thought. I will eventually fix mine but you are correct the best method would be remove the current cover and use something like 3 M spray cement.

But more to come.

spoke

Do you have the same problem?
If I could take it apart without breaking it I am sure I could glue it.

dlav06

I have the same issue in my '04... I am somewhat happy to hear that I'm alone in this issue, but not necessarily happy to know that it'll require some tear-down (probably) to fix the problem. Please let me know if you guys find a "simple" way to correct this...

vettdvr

I have a very small hypo needle. I am considering using "model airplane" very thin "water consistency" super glue injected into the armrest. The down side is it gets hard and might not flex, then cause the cover to crack. Removal and spray of 3M contact cement will allow flex and not crack.

spoke

There must be a safe way to remove the leather. The key to this is to know how it was assembled.

spoke

I thought about the needel approach but the leather is streched and would wrinkel when you tried to glue it down. Also there will be a hole. The best way is to re strech the whole piece.

vettdvr

You are correct which is why I am still looking for a method. I agree I have covered many aircraft wings with fabric and doing the entire piece where it can be stretched even is the best way.

gaazmon

+1

I have the same problem. Dealer wouldn't fix under Starmark.

bronto60

I saw this a couple of years ago on this or a similar forum. Take a heat gun and carefully heat up the area. The intent is to shrink the leather. After the area is hot, take an ice cube and rub around the area. Have a towel handy to wipe up the water from the melting ice. Sometimes after sitting in the hot sun for a while, the bubble appears again. Then just try the ice cube alone.

spoke

Ok I will try it.

vettdvr

Let me know how it works out.

gkoj4golf

Ugh...I have an 2003 e500 and have the same problem. It's about the size of a quarter right now but getting bigger. It looks like an air bubble. I'm looking into local upholstery guys to see what they can do.

Also, started feeling my car stuttering around the 1500 rpm mark. Scared it is the glycol issue...

spoke

What is the glycol issue? My E500 stutters at idle some times.

fortlaudsummer

Just do a search, you'll find tons of information, but here is a thread to get you started:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...-symptoms.html

But let's not get off topic....

vettdvr

Internal radiator leakage allows transmission fluid to cross flow resulting in contamination of the transmission. There are test and bulletins on this. You can also do a search.

gkoj4golf

Sorry...didn't mean to stir the conversation. I thought about taking the armrest apart but the bubble looks like there is some play and needs to be stretched out when glued back down.

spoke

I am going to have to some how disassemble the cover to re glue the leather back into position. Ill let you know how it goes.

vettdvr

Our E500 is in the MB body shop bumper off being repaired from the rearender we had 2 weeks ago. If you figure it out be sure to have pics to help the rest of us.

SEL126

Have the same problem in my 04 E500, bubble in the center console right side arm rest. Hope someone comes up with a solution. I was thinking about taking it to an upholstery shop.

Dzul

So, anyone yet successfully rectified the bubble issue?

If you've fixed it, what did you do?

gkoj4golf

Just spoke to an MB service manager today that said it is a very common problem. So common they use a 3rd party mobile repair shop that frequents the dealer for that problem. I'm going to get a quote to see how much he'll charge to fix the bubble.

vettdvr

No! I just got mine out of the body shop due to the nice gentleman that decided to push me through a stop light. So nice of him to volunteer to repaint the rear of the car.

cmarshack

Any DIY fix for this yet? I just bought an 04 E55 and it has bubbles in both sides of the armrests.

Barry45RPM

Anyone with interior problems in the L.I. area might want to check this very busy (as seen on TV) place out: http://www.autointeriors.biz/