STKLAW

I got a flat hood ornament and I can't firgure out how to get the old star off my hood. I looked under the hood and sure didn't see anything that looked like a bold or screw to undo under the star. Can someone help me out? It's a 98 E 430.

Randy B

I got these a while back. Good luck with them.

Randy B

and this.

MB-BOB

STKLAW, I just replaced the upright star on the hood of my C320 with the flat hood emblem, and it was very easy, although it didn't look easy at first. The drawing above helps, but if you're still intimidated, here's a verbal explanation to complement the diagram.

From the underside of the hood, the star mount looks very complicated, but it's a simple rotating lock that's apparent only after removal. Looking down the barrel of the mount, you'll see a spring that runs through to the star, and returns it to upright position when bent over, etc. To either side of this spring is a silver clamp (looks annodized) that looks like two opposing Cs (like: [o] where the "o" is the spring assembly barrel and the brackets are the Cs). The Cs are connected further up in the assembly. (Item #2 in the drawings above.)

You can maybe do this with your bare hands, but I used two pair of pliers, one on each C. Simply rotate the Cs (together) through 90 degrees to the left (counterclockwise), and the whole assembly will pop loose for removal (as a complete unit) through the outer surface of the hood.

STKLAW

Randy B and MB-Bob-

Thanks a lot for your responses. At least now I know how it's supposed to work in theory. Your right when you first look at it it does look complicated. I'll hopefully let you know about and see my success story when I'm done.

STKLAW

Well, it was easier to get the Star off than the new one on. But I got it done. I'll try before and after pics in the same post, if not I'll do 2.

STKLAW

That was the after obviously. Here's the before.

bugfighter

Hey, now you get better roadfront visibility!

Flashman

How do you aim without the gunsight?

STKLAW

We don't aim our 10 gauge shotguns 'round these parts--Just stick'em out the window, point and shoot!

MB-BOB

STKLAW, it looks great from here! Now you have to figure out what to do with the upright star. I have mine sitting on the mantlepiece. Eventually, I want to have a block of wood sculpted with a cutout for the mechanism to fall into, leaving just the star on its base exposed.

Don't know about you, but it took a couple days to get used to not seeing the star (prompting some initial regrets). But that was only temporary. I keep thinking back to my dad's various land barges with the upright hood ornaments to remind me why the flat badge is more my style. LOL!

STKLAW

MB-BOB,

Those were just the thoughts I was having as I went to Best Buy a few minutes ago to do some last minute shopping. You do initially miss it sticking up there but I just think about the 92 500SL I had that had the emblem stock and not the star. More fitting if you are going for the sportier look.

I was wondering the same thing re what to do with the star. It's a handsome gadget and you'd hate to just stick it in the drawer. It seems that it would be hard to mount though. It has to be squeezed between the base and the emblem somehow. I'm sure we can come up with something--just have to keep the thinking cap on.

mbtech208

You could do like all the gangstas do and make a nice, tasteful necklace out of it!

drexappeal

Alright, so I'm bringing up this old thread because the pics that used to be in here aren't there anymore. (And obviously, just a demonstration to "newbies" that it's possible to do a search and find a relevant thread to old mods).

So I got my flat emblem yesterday and tried pulling off the damn OEM emblem and that thing just wouldn't turn. Some people have said, turn it to the right (clockwise). Others have said counterclockwise. In all my years tightening/loosening bolts, I've always followed that old rule of thumb "righty, tighty; left, loosey"...but, it didn't work. I tried using my hands and pliers. Failed at both. Should this be as easy as a quick turn or do the "C's" (as MB-BOB described them) have to be squeezed together?

From the majority of the posts I've read, it seems like this should be an easy task, but I'm having issues...LOL.

Anyways, for those of you that could help or re-post the pics that were in this thread before, I'd really appreciate any input.

drex

AzCamel

any update i need to change mine also