SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Radio Control Knob Replacement

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Old Jun 14, 2009 | 03:16 PM
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BigDog9721's Avatar
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From: Brentwood, Tennessee
03 SL500 and 08 S550
Radio Control Knob Replacement

Does anyone know how to replace the radio knobs on the 03 SL500? The dealership says you have to replace the WHOLE stereo... seems a bit ridiculous! Any thoughts?
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Old Jun 14, 2009 | 06:02 PM
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What's wrong with your knobs?
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Old Jun 14, 2009 | 06:07 PM
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03 SL500 and 08 S550
they are sticky and gunky... plus the part guy at MB said they should pull off easily... that was a no go... so now I have plyer skin marks all over the left knob...
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Old Jun 14, 2009 | 06:12 PM
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To make them less sticky you could always try some electrical contact spray. It may help loosen them up.
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Old Jun 14, 2009 | 06:38 PM
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03 SL500 and 08 S550
the dealership / parts department seem to think that they are permanent and will not come off... that's nice to know AFTER the fact... the parts department manager is looking into what they can do for me... I'm really not happy with their "expertise" after the fact...
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Old Jun 14, 2009 | 09:00 PM
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The early audio 20 radios had **** that could be replaced easy the command 2.0 which you have are sort of permanent ****.. i have replaced them before but you have to take the whole command apart and do it from the inside

The parts department should of told you this before you grabed them with plyers
Good luck
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Old Jun 14, 2009 | 11:47 PM
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03 SL500 and 08 S550
I know... and they are aware of this... I'll know more this week...
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Old Jun 15, 2009 | 01:28 PM
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Let us know what you find out......
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 04:39 PM
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I had the same thing happening to my car, knobs felt like gummy bears, dealer told me that the knobs were not replaceable, even though the car was under warranty (M.B. factory not aftermarket, car was less than 4 yrs old) I was told that M.B. would not replace the unit. Dealer had an interior repair guy come in, the type that repars and dyes seats etc. he did something to them and then coated them, came out perfect with hardly no cost, although warranty paid that too. Only thing is the knobs did not have the little white rings on them, they were all black. O.K. with me.
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 09:55 PM
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Hmmmmm, thanks for the input Mike. I know an upholstery guy. I will talk with him.
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Old Jun 25, 2009 | 11:34 PM
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03 SL500 and 08 S550
The dealer pulled the command unit and mailed off to CA and had it repaired... $600. I split the cost with the shop... knobs look fine now.
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