BeltFedBob

Mine were starting to look crappy so I took a chance on changing them out. Well give me a pair of vise grips and a hammer, job done!

They pull off from the big end and the new ones push back on as the old ones came off. Easy job and the new ones look 100% better.

PN: 230-792-04-30 and 230-792-03-30 Cost $56.96ea at the dealer.

Didn't have time to take pics because it went so fast.

GFEAR

you are ****in kidding me! mine look like *** and i thought it was a big job! i need pics!!

BeltFedBob

It's easy, really. Get the new parts and you will see how they clip on to the base by the little tracks that fit into the base. You grab the bottom of the panel with a pair of vice grips, give them a tap with a hammer and they slide right off towards the trunk. Put the new ones on about an inch lower from installed, making sure they fit flush and the bottom tab fits in the slot push forward and you can feel them start to lock in. They will go easy up to about a quarter inch from fully seated. Gently tap from the bottom with a plastic drift to seat. Done! Maybe 10min per side if you take your time.

SL55 BLACKBIRD

hope this helps

• Vano Roof C-Pillar Paneling
  If you encounter instances in the above model where the Vano roofs left or right C-pillar cover panel is cracked or is contacting the rear window's cover strip, perform the following procedure.
  1)Remove C-pillar cover panel and metal support. .
  
  
  
  
  2)With a suitable file, elongate each of the metal support's 5 mounting holes approximately 2-3 mm, so that the support cover can be positioned higher on the C-pillar (Figure 1a).
  Note : Reuse original metal cover support if undamaged.
  3)File approximately 2-3 mm from the top of the metal support cover in order to prevent deformation of the Vano roof seal (Figure 1b).
  4)Using zinc-dust primer, paint all of the filed areas on the metal cover support in order to prevent corrosion.
  5)Install metal cover support so that it is positioned in its maximum upward position.
  6)Install the C-pillar cover panel onto the metal support cover, ensuring that the panel's arresting pin is properly locked into the cover support's accompanying hole.
  7)Verify that there is adequate clearance between the rear window's cover strip and the C-pillar cover panels during Vano roof operation.
  
  
  
  
  Parts Information
  
  
  
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BeltFedBob

Here is the picture out of the Star;

allenjdmb

on 2 SL's . Finish was coming off. Never hurts to ask.

NikleinR6

You can buy them already painted???
Thanks
Nick

BeltFedBob

From the factory they are gloss black.

GOODENUF

Had mine replaced under warranty about 2 months ago.

GFEAR

they are calling it a trim item and wont do it under warranty on mine.

BeltFedBob

Well, I looked at my job today and noticed the right side had a bumb in it that I didn't notice when I installed them the other night. I took it off and found the little peg that sits in the hole (#2 in the picture) was broken off of the old panel als stuck in the carrier plate. It was holding the new panel up and not seating properly. Make sure all the bits from the old panel are remove prior to instaling the new ones. ;-)

Nice to have bright lights to work under as well.

okbarnett

I dont know guys.
Mine are a plastic, plexiglass. not painted
it looks like glass but I can tell a difference in the sound and feel of it. Im sure its a plexiglass or lexan
they must have changed it some time from what I have. mine is 03

BeltFedBob

Olin,
They are made of plastic, solid color black and almost look like black glass. I think the panels on the '03 require upgrading to the late model carrier plate to fit the new panels. (I don't think the old style "C" panel is available)

It appears they do not play well with sun, and look like they delaminate or craze arould the edges. I tried to rub them out and that did not work.

I've had mine on and off a couple of times with damaging the panels FWIW.

FLSL55

Here is my thread about this issue 7 months ago.

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...yone-else.html


.

flyjets01

This is a great Thread and should be Pinned to the top because seems most SL have this issue.

Thanks to the Posters and Photos.

Ian

NikleinR6

I bought mine from http://getmercedesparts.com/ for 48.00 each. Dealer wanted nearly 70 each.
Just go to the search and put in the part numbers from above...
I have bought many things from them, because they are much cheaper than my dealer, and ship parts to me very quickly...

Nick

kkwmjw1

43.70 parts.com

NikleinR6

Sucks.. I thought i was getting the best deal.... OH Well...
Now others will know...

Nick

G_KATS

my friend basically put tint on those back pieces u guys are talking about and never looked back . 10 dollar fix

tusabes

some people are wrapping them in 3M DINOC carbon fiber material

flyjets01

My replacement ones arrived the other day.

Open your top halfway like the photo shows in earlier posts.

Take a small wood block and a woodworkers hammer and just tap on the top of the old one. It will take about 3 taps and start to slide down. Just remove the old one.

New one my be inserted approx 3/4" lower then final position and slide up into place. Make sure your catch all the hooks by pressing down evenly as well as sliding up.

Looks like new and easy fix.

Ian

cdsjklee

my top does not stay in the middle it either closed or open.
I open the top and stop at the middle and few seconds later it either close or open all the way. How do you keep the top at the middle?

flyjets01

Stop it halfway there is a point you can hold it at. The top will balance at this point.

Ian

PascalZeller

http://www.parts.com/ sells them for $46.58 a piece! They are great and have fabulous customer service!

Hinkston

Thanks for all this info on this issue. My R230 2005 SL500 has the peeling pillars also. This is obviously a very common problem, although I've had two MB dealers tell me they've never seen it before. Today I was told that it's caused by "acid rain", and was quoted $300 per side to replace. Do I look like an idiot?
I bought the car in Nov 2008. The next summer one of the hinge flaps broke - the one that is up when the roof is up, and then covers the hinge opening when it's open. The cost for that small plastic cosmetic part was exorbitant and I complained to Mercedes corporate, since the originally $100+k car had less than 20k miles on it. They finally agreed to pay half.
I love this car, but it is the last Mercedes I will own due to ridiculously dumb and expensive trim replacement cost. Back to Volvo maybe.