98 ML320 Taillamp Removal Question
 

I need to replace the Stop Lamp on my ML320. I have removed the nuts but I am unable to remove the taillamp (assembly cover). I don't want to break the cover or any necessary clips. The owners manual gives no details. Please help. :confused:

You have done everything there is to do. There are no more clips Just the two plastic bolts you have already removed. Now try gently pry the tail light lose, and pull it straight out.
Been there done that.
Boston Mark

I always had to be a little bit more than just a little gentle. Pull straight back after the 2 bolts are removed.
Mike

Yeah Mike's ML, your right, after 12 years it is going to take more then a gentle pull. Give it a good yank!
Boston Mark

Thanks for your advice!
 

You guys are great. Wish you were here to provide me with the guts to yank the cover out. Fear is a terrible thing! I will let you know if my efforts pay off.
Melanie in NC :)

Melanie,
The tail light is one assembly. Try using something like a putty knife to pry it from the body. Just to be safe, put a strip of duct tape on the edge and go for it. Let us know & good luck.
Boston Mark

Still stuck :(
 

Mark, Thank you for the encouragement. I am still unable to remove the cover. I can't get a grip! The putty knife and duct tape idea is good. It seems like the sticking point is near the top of the assembly but I can't seem to get the leverage to pull the cover straight back. I guess it is off to the dealership since at least they know how to do this without breaking the thing. I am stubborn, independent and frugal so this is frustrating. (Go BoSox!)
Melanie

Bantumchikie Wait! 1 last thing! The stealer ship will charge you a small fortune! Any independent service center can do this for you. But before you go try wiggling it as you pull. I to am frugal (down right cheap maybe) So I hate to see you spend the money for something I know you can do. Good luck and the Yankees s#*k Red Socks rule.
Boston Mark
Do you have an Autozone near you? I know they change out batterys for free maybe they will do the same if you buy the light from them. Worth a try.

Done with breakage
 

You are right about the stealership! To their credit, they did try to tell me about the assembly over the phone. They did not explain the 3rd connection. Here is what happened and what I learned...

The guy at Autozone (I tried them before posting) came at my car with a screwdriver. I sent him away since he had never removed a ML 320 tail assembly and I did not want the paint damaged.

My favorite mechanic had never done it either but the two of us got the thing off. He used a wood shim. However, the "cup" broke in the effort but he did a quick fix with some epoxy. He charged me $5 - I offered $15.

I learned:

1) The tail light assembly is attached to the fender in 3 places. The most obvious is with 2 bolts (They are plastic so use a socket wrench rather than a screw driver to remove these)

2) The 3rd spot is a ball attached to the lower back of the assembly that fits into a cup on the car. This is what was holding the assembly and secures it on the light well. The cup and ball are plastic and the cup probably cracked when the assembly was removed due to age and the cold.

3) The tail light assembly is everything! The cover is a molded plastic that contains all the operations and sockets in a box which is bolted to the cover. The entire thing comes out of the light well and remains attached to the car by a power umbilical.

I wish I could get my hands on a repair manuel for a ML 320!!!!

Thanks for all the advice. I hope this will help someone else.

Melanie

Glad to hear that you got this taken care of! I didnt have the same problem with the ball as it was summer time when I did mine and maybe becouse it was warm when I did mine it just popped out!
As for a repair manual try eBay motors! There for sale for $15.00-$25.00 on CD I have bought 95% of my parts there and saved a ton of ca$h.
When doing your search try using Mercedes ML320 or Mercedes ML 320 or w163. Or just Mercedes ML. There are thousands of parts and accessory's there. Caution! This can be addicting! And the prices are out standing!
Good luck and happy motoring
Boston Mark

Hi GUys,

sorry to re open old thread, does anyone have part code for the ball and lock part of the tail light which is attached to frame of the car?

cheers

It would be very helpful if you can post a photo of what you need. Also let us know the year and model of your truck.

2005 ML 500 tail light ( brake, turn signal or backup )
Remove the two plastic hex nut with wrench after you open the back truck lid
Loose up the entire tail lamp assembly and give a big pull toward you ( direction to the back of the car )
Check photo at Google under MBK163 tail lamp A and MBK163 tail lamp B