SL/R231: Centre storage lid spring gone
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
From: Eastbourne England
SL400 R231
Centre storage lid spring gone
Centre storage lid in two parts just aft of the gear shifter, driver's side lid with the push button to release, spring not working. (which is to say right hand on my vehicle as I'm in the UK)
I've searched for this and have not found it; doesn't mean it's not there of course, but if anyone can offer some advice on how to fix this I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
I've searched for this and have not found it; doesn't mean it's not there of course, but if anyone can offer some advice on how to fix this I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
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From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
From: Eastbourne England
SL400 R231
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
This guy breaks down the console removal process into a ridiculous number of separate videos that are nearly impossible to view in chronological order. I still believe there's a simpler way to get at the broken plastic part but I haven't found it and even if I did I'm not sure how I'd repair/replace that part. I had my console replaced under warranty when the car was 4 years old and the same part broke again a couple of years later (I believe it's always the right that breaks).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 222
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
This guy breaks down the console removal process into a ridiculous number of separate videos that are fairly impossible to view in chronological order. I still believe there's a simpler way to get at the broken plastic piece but I haven't found it and even if I did I don't know how I'd repair/replace that piece. I had my console replaced under warranty in 2019 and the same piece broke again a year or two later (I believe it's always the right side that breaks).
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 475
Likes: 157
From: Philadelphia area
2014 SL65 AMG, 2018 S560
I did that repair on my 2013 SL about 3 years ago. The problem isn't actually the springs. The springs hook on plastic studs on the storage box doors and those studs break. To properly fix it you have to extract the storage doors and fix the studs. In my case I inserted brass standoffs to replace the studs.
The problem is to get those doors out you really have to pretty much disassemble the entire center console. It's not really as bad as it sounds and the biggest risk is breaking some tabs on trim. The first step is to remove the left and right trim that extends all the way from the front to the rear on both sides of the center console. You pull that out to the side near the middle and then work your way to the front rear. I suggest finding a video for doing that.
Once that trim is out you remove the rear storage box, which has a couple screws in the bottom of it. Once that is out you'll see the springs for the front storage box. But you can't get to the studs you need to fix. So then you have to remove the front storage box, which at this point should not be too difficult.
With the front storage box out you then have to remove each door and you'll see the broken stud on the end. As I said, I used a brass standoff that I screwed into where the stud was located.
I have a few photos. I'll try to post them when I get to my computer. Not easy to do for my phone.
The problem is to get those doors out you really have to pretty much disassemble the entire center console. It's not really as bad as it sounds and the biggest risk is breaking some tabs on trim. The first step is to remove the left and right trim that extends all the way from the front to the rear on both sides of the center console. You pull that out to the side near the middle and then work your way to the front rear. I suggest finding a video for doing that.
Once that trim is out you remove the rear storage box, which has a couple screws in the bottom of it. Once that is out you'll see the springs for the front storage box. But you can't get to the studs you need to fix. So then you have to remove the front storage box, which at this point should not be too difficult.
With the front storage box out you then have to remove each door and you'll see the broken stud on the end. As I said, I used a brass standoff that I screwed into where the stud was located.
I have a few photos. I'll try to post them when I get to my computer. Not easy to do for my phone.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
From: Eastbourne England
SL400 R231
I did that repair on my 2013 SL about 3 years ago. The problem isn't actually the springs. The springs hook on plastic studs on the storage box doors and those studs break. To properly fix it you have to extract the storage doors and fix the studs. In my case I inserted brass standoffs to replace the studs.
The problem is to get those doors out you really have to pretty much disassemble the entire center console. It's not really as bad as it sounds and the biggest risk is breaking some tabs on trim. The first step is to remove the left and right trim that extends all the way from the front to the rear on both sides of the center console. You pull that out to the side near the middle and then work your way to the front rear. I suggest finding a video for doing that.
Once that trim is out you remove the rear storage box, which has a couple screws in the bottom of it. Once that is out you'll see the springs for the front storage box. But you can't get to the studs you need to fix. So then you have to remove the front storage box, which at this point should not be too difficult.
With the front storage box out you then have to remove each door and you'll see the broken stud on the end. As I said, I used a brass standoff that I screwed into where the stud was located.
I have a few photos. I'll try to post them when I get to my computer. Not easy to do for my phone.
The problem is to get those doors out you really have to pretty much disassemble the entire center console. It's not really as bad as it sounds and the biggest risk is breaking some tabs on trim. The first step is to remove the left and right trim that extends all the way from the front to the rear on both sides of the center console. You pull that out to the side near the middle and then work your way to the front rear. I suggest finding a video for doing that.
Once that trim is out you remove the rear storage box, which has a couple screws in the bottom of it. Once that is out you'll see the springs for the front storage box. But you can't get to the studs you need to fix. So then you have to remove the front storage box, which at this point should not be too difficult.
With the front storage box out you then have to remove each door and you'll see the broken stud on the end. As I said, I used a brass standoff that I screwed into where the stud was located.
I have a few photos. I'll try to post them when I get to my computer. Not easy to do for my phone.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
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From: Eastbourne England
SL400 R231
Trying a new way to share photos via Amazon Photos. Let me know if the link doesn't work.
SL console repair photos
SL console repair photos
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe
Trying a new way to share photos via Amazon Photos. Let me know if the link doesn't work.
SL console repair photos
SL console repair photos
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
From: Eastbourne England
SL400 R231
Trying a new way to share photos via Amazon Photos. Let me know if the link doesn't work.
SL console repair photos
SL console repair photos
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Last edited by crconsulting; Oct 14, 2025 at 11:38 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,122
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 475
Likes: 157
From: Philadelphia area
2014 SL65 AMG, 2018 S560
They're used in computers and electronics to hold circuit boards. I've been messing with computers and electronics for decades and had some in my parts bin. They're readily available on Amazon, of course. Just search for "brass standoffs."
Good luck! It's a labor-intensive task, but the dealer would just replace the entire unit at considerable expense. That is assuming it's even available in your color.
Good luck! It's a labor-intensive task, but the dealer would just replace the entire unit at considerable expense. That is assuming it's even available in your color.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,419
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From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
@jmattioni
Quick question if you get a chance, might help folks in the future.
Did you have to tap the plastic to bolt in the brass stand off on the console lid? (or did you bond it? I noted some glue in one pic).
Any drilling? Or, was there enough material and hole sized for the brass stand off to self tap into the plastic underside, without cracking it or so, loose it’s spinning freely?
Thx and Good Luck
Last edited by crconsulting; Oct 15, 2025 at 10:37 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 48
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From: Land of the Prince Bishops
2013 SL350
This happen to me a few months back and at the time the I found a used centre console but at £250+ I declined. My work round was to drill a very small hole as close as I could to the split plastic and bend the spring to fit. Not a perfect repair but it does lift about 3/4 of the way up, making it more usable now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 222
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
This happen to me a few months back and at the time the I found a used centre console but at £250+ I declined. My work round was to drill a very small hole as close as I could to the split plastic and bend the spring to fit. Not a perfect repair but it does lift about 3/4 of the way up, making it more usable now.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 475
Likes: 157
From: Philadelphia area
2014 SL65 AMG, 2018 S560
@jmattioni
Quick question if you get a chance, might help folks in the future.
Did you have to tap the plastic to bolt in the brass stand off on the console lid? (or did you bond it? I noted some glue in one pic).
Any drilling? Or, was there enough material and hole sized for the brass stand off to self tap into the plastic underside, without cracking it or so, loose it’s spinning freely?
Thx and Good Luck
Quick question if you get a chance, might help folks in the future.
Did you have to tap the plastic to bolt in the brass stand off on the console lid? (or did you bond it? I noted some glue in one pic).
Any drilling? Or, was there enough material and hole sized for the brass stand off to self tap into the plastic underside, without cracking it or so, loose it’s spinning freely?
Thx and Good Luck
I drilled an undersized hole for the standoff and then let it self tap its way in. But I also put a couple drops of epoxy on the hole before I screwed in the standoff.
