SL/R230: How to replace the taillights
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: USA
How to replace the taillights
Is it a DIY or should i go to the dealer ? i'll get the AMG style lights next week and i took a look inside the trunk today and everything is covered by trim and felt panels ! thx.
Last edited by ChrisSL; Feb 17, 2006 at 12:32 AM.
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From: So Cal
04 SL 500, 09 R350, 09 E63, 2010 Prius
I am having someone else do it. Should be done by next week because I am getting new breaks too. BUt I heard it's DIY possible... you just have to know what you are doing. Maybe you can ask the guy on the video thread who was the "actor" in the DIY video posted. Sorry, can't help.
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Originally Posted by ChrisSL
Is it a DIY or should i go to the dealer ? i'll get the AMG style lights next week and i took a look inside the trunk today and everything is covered by trim and felt panels ! thx.
The side panels and front panel are quite easy. The part that you need to know about is taking off the sliding boot cover and the wires on the front panel. If you have that down it really is easy but like everything you do need to know.
It is at most 2 hours at the dealer so it isn't really that expensive.
Good luck!
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
05' SL500 (Sold) - 01' S430 - 05' Yama R1- 02' ML500 (sold)
I talked to a shop about doing mines he said the first time they did it, it took them about 5 hours because it is kinda difficult with the roof mounts in the back, you have to remove a lot of stuff.
now since they know how to do it it takes them about 2-3 hours.
It is a DIY but takes time if your new at it.
now since they know how to do it it takes them about 2-3 hours.
It is a DIY but takes time if your new at it.
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Originally Posted by jonnyml500
I talked to a shop about doing mines he said the first time they did it, it took them about 5 hours because it is kinda difficult with the roof mounts in the back, you have to remove a lot of stuff.
now since they know how to do it it takes them about 2-3 hours.
It is a DIY but takes time if your new at it.
now since they know how to do it it takes them about 2-3 hours.
It is a DIY but takes time if your new at it.
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From: New Jersey ~ Monmouth County
2005 SL 500
Unless something has changed in the last year, they are lying to you and trying to rip you off. When I had mine done, the guy looked in some book that they use to find out how much time to change (labor cost) for changing the taillights. The book said one and a half hours (it may have been 2 and a half but I know it wasn't more than that).
Go back, mention the book and tell them that others from the forum with the same car say that they are wrong. Let us know what they say.
Go back, mention the book and tell them that others from the forum with the same car say that they are wrong. Let us know what they say.
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Unless you are highly retarded.. 30 minutes MAX!
Rmove the plastic panels that wrap around the trunk as well as the one on the back of the trunk. The trick to getting to all the nuts is to open the top halfway.
Rmove the plastic panels that wrap around the trunk as well as the one on the back of the trunk. The trick to getting to all the nuts is to open the top halfway.
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Originally Posted by lorinserbenz
The trick to getting to all the nuts is to open the top halfway.
This is an extremely easy thing to do if you know what you are doing.
I have done it twice myself, I know.
.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
05' SL500 (Sold) - 01' S430 - 05' Yama R1- 02' ML500 (sold)
Originally Posted by LovinSL600
I don't mean to be arguementative but you don't have to open the top. Opening the top can be very dangerous if you don't have the clamp to hold it. The pressure does not last for long and it can close on you at any time without notice. Opening the top halfway is never a good practice while working on the car.
This is an extremely easy thing to do if you know what you are doing.
I have done it twice myself, I know.
.
This is an extremely easy thing to do if you know what you are doing.
I have done it twice myself, I know.
.
Thanks.
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Originally Posted by jonnyml500
LovinSL600 would you happen to have instructions or even photos on how to do it.
Thanks.
Thanks.
You can pay an annual premium or you can pay by day. I would pay for a day and get in and download the instructions and pictures. The problem is that the instructions will be linked to several other instructions so you will have to copy all the instructions from the different links.
I am sorry that I don't have the exact web address anymore as I haven't used it since I sold my SL600.
Maybe someone can chime in with the web address.
I see you aren't far from me. If you were in the area some time and wanted to stop by I could go over with you how to do it.
Good luck.
.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 181
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From: San Jose, CA
05' SL500 (Sold) - 01' S430 - 05' Yama R1- 02' ML500 (sold)
Wow!! how nice of you
Originally Posted by LovinSL600
Under the Star Tec website there is a section which has the instructions which the dealers use to find out how to do things. You have to pay to enter this part of the website.
You can pay an annual premium or you can pay by day. I would pay for a day and get in and download the instructions and pictures. The problem is that the instructions will be linked to several other instructions so you will have to copy all the instructions from the different links.
I am sorry that I don't have the exact web address anymore as I haven't used it since I sold my SL600.
Maybe someone can chime in with the web address.
I see you aren't far from me. If you were in the area some time and wanted to stop by I could go over with you how to do it.
Good luck.
.
You can pay an annual premium or you can pay by day. I would pay for a day and get in and download the instructions and pictures. The problem is that the instructions will be linked to several other instructions so you will have to copy all the instructions from the different links.
I am sorry that I don't have the exact web address anymore as I haven't used it since I sold my SL600.
Maybe someone can chime in with the web address.
I see you aren't far from me. If you were in the area some time and wanted to stop by I could go over with you how to do it.
Good luck.
.
If you ever find that website or remember it please let me know.
Thanks for the info.
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Originally Posted by LovinSL600
I don't mean to be arguementative but you don't have to open the top. Opening the top can be very dangerous if you don't have the clamp to hold it. The pressure does not last for long and it can close on you at any time without notice. Opening the top halfway is never a good practice while working on the car.
This is an extremely easy thing to do if you know what you are doing.
I have done it twice myself, I know.
.
This is an extremely easy thing to do if you know what you are doing.
I have done it twice myself, I know.
.
Anyone wanting it done in tampa call me, Ill do it for $50.
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