SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Help removing ESM!
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
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Help removing ESM!
Please see the attached picture. After much trial and tribulation, I have the ESM "loose".. (Damn those hex bolts are TIGHT and hard to get to!) But the assembly still feels like it's hooked onto something underneath, probably the nub I circled in red.
How do you guys get to it? I can barely fit my hand through the hole in the center tunnel. Do you have to go under the car to get to it? Appears to be some sort of brace in the way (at the very least), from what I can tell..
How do you guys get to it? I can barely fit my hand through the hole in the center tunnel. Do you have to go under the car to get to it? Appears to be some sort of brace in the way (at the very least), from what I can tell..
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Puerto Rico
2005 SL55 AMG, 1986 Porsche 930S, 1996 Porsche 993tt
is a PIA to remove and to install the shifter. It would be easier if you cut or remove the plastic brace behind the shifter(top). Once you cut this parts it would be very easy to remove or install the shifter.
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I've gotten past that part already actually. Took a very long 5mm allen wrench and an extension to get some leverage. Oh, that and a couple cuts.
My ESM is "loose" from the top, but it still seems to be hooked onto something from the bottom. You didn't have to unhook the little nub from the bottom? I would assume that's the linkage to the actual transmission, which would make sense..
My ESM is "loose" from the top, but it still seems to be hooked onto something from the bottom. You didn't have to unhook the little nub from the bottom? I would assume that's the linkage to the actual transmission, which would make sense..
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 730
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From: Puerto Rico
2005 SL55 AMG, 1986 Porsche 930S, 1996 Porsche 993tt
yes is the linkage to the transmission. you will have to twist and play around until unhook the linkage. I did spend at least 45-60 minutes to remove the ESM, installation was over 110% more dificult to hook the linkage. then made the decision to cut/remove the plastic part, then installation took no more than 1 minute. without the plastic part there's more space to mve the ESM.
good LucK!!!
good LucK!!!
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Joined: Jun 2003
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The hook just slides off with force? (there's no locking mechanism, tab, clip or anything else I have to release?)
Seems awfully flimsy for such a crucial linkage to not have something hold it in place ...
Seems awfully flimsy for such a crucial linkage to not have something hold it in place ...
