SL/R129: 2001 R129 Tow Hook Cover Bolts
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 41
Likes: 19
From: Southern California
2001 Mercedes SL500
The only way to use the screws on the bolts is to take to bumper cover off. At least that's how it looks to me. That's too much work and unnecessary. I just had an aftermarket tow hook cover like this one installed. To secure it safely I drilled a small hole into the upper portion of the tow hook cover then screwed in a small screw which secured it into the bumper cover. (Use a small screw and the screw head will not show.) I suggest securing the other cover the same way. They will never fall off again.
Last edited by s.laz; Jul 14, 2020 at 03:34 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 701
Likes: 207
From: Lutz, FL
1997 MB SL600
Good luck getting the aftermarket (fake, but the only alternative) covers to fit.
I cracked the bolts from the cover and epoxied nylon screw receivers in their place.
You end up using screws that point from the inside out to the cover through the tow cover vertical mount. I think you have to remove the fog light first in order to access where the screws go. The original covers had little insert barrels that poked into the vertical bumper retainer that allowed the covers to be easily removed from the front, but yours are long gone and the design isn't replicated with the fake copies.
Don't worry, I (and others) have the fakes too and they don't go missing as easily.
It took me hours to fit the covers properly.
I cracked the bolts from the cover and epoxied nylon screw receivers in their place.
You end up using screws that point from the inside out to the cover through the tow cover vertical mount. I think you have to remove the fog light first in order to access where the screws go. The original covers had little insert barrels that poked into the vertical bumper retainer that allowed the covers to be easily removed from the front, but yours are long gone and the design isn't replicated with the fake copies.
Don't worry, I (and others) have the fakes too and they don't go missing as easily.
It took me hours to fit the covers properly.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 701
Likes: 207
From: Lutz, FL
1997 MB SL600
Oh, I forgot to mention.
The molded in screws that you show are wonky (not parallel) and don't fit into the two holes where they are supposed to go. I think you know this by now.
It would be cool if the manufacturer made a jig for the tow cover mold that included positively locating the two screws so they would work, but I don't think that was their goal. You could try bending the two screws so they would fit into the vertical support, but they aren't even on center, so they crack.
Sad, but true and the only game in town.
The molded in screws that you show are wonky (not parallel) and don't fit into the two holes where they are supposed to go. I think you know this by now.
It would be cool if the manufacturer made a jig for the tow cover mold that included positively locating the two screws so they would work, but I don't think that was their goal. You could try bending the two screws so they would fit into the vertical support, but they aren't even on center, so they crack.
Sad, but true and the only game in town.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2001 sl500
Good luck getting the aftermarket (fake, but the only alternative) covers to fit.
I cracked the bolts from the cover and epoxied nylon screw receivers in their place.
You end up using screws that point from the inside out to the cover through the tow cover vertical mount. I think you have to remove the fog light first in order to access where the screws go. The original covers had little insert barrels that poked into the vertical bumper retainer that allowed the covers to be easily removed from the front, but yours are long gone and the design isn't replicated with the fake copies.
Don't worry, I (and others) have the fakes too and they don't go missing as easily.
It took me hours to fit the covers properly.
I cracked the bolts from the cover and epoxied nylon screw receivers in their place.
You end up using screws that point from the inside out to the cover through the tow cover vertical mount. I think you have to remove the fog light first in order to access where the screws go. The original covers had little insert barrels that poked into the vertical bumper retainer that allowed the covers to be easily removed from the front, but yours are long gone and the design isn't replicated with the fake copies.
Don't worry, I (and others) have the fakes too and they don't go missing as easily.
It took me hours to fit the covers properly.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 701
Likes: 207
From: Lutz, FL
1997 MB SL600
The real ones just press in via the barrels from the front. Easy peasy. Pop them off, press them on.
The fakes, not so much.
If you have the real ones, just pull one off so you understand.
The fakes, not so much.
If you have the real ones, just pull one off so you understand.
