DIY for removing center console - R230
 

Is there a DIY somewhere for removing the center console on an R230?

My 2003 SL55 has the dreaded "stuck in park" problem. I need to remove the center console so I can remove the shifter and fix the problem. All the discussions I found talk about what to do when you get the shifter out, but there's nothing on removing the console.

Thanks.

After more digging, I found these:

http://www.mercupgrades.com/Removing...rticle-68.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...ior-trims.html

Now I'm just left with the problem of how to remove the console when I'm unable to move the shifter out of park. But now that I understand how to remove the console, the other discussions will hopefully make more sense.

Ok here's what I did. take shift knob off, slide a metal jack handle over shifter rod and proceed to jerk it toward the rear of the car while depressing the brake pedal. It may take 5 or 10 times. I then ordered the aluminum shift lock mechanism to replace the plastic OEM. You can't hurt anything because the dealer is going to replace the whole shifter console after cutting off the shifter rod to get the center console removed. Good luck and have fun!

Got the console off
 

The trick is that you can't remove the center wood console panel without first putting the car in neutral. So here's the trick that worked for me to move the car out of park (saw it in somebody else's post - credit goes to them).

1) Remove side panels from console.

2) Remove six screws that hold center wood panel in place.

3) Remove as many as possible of the three hex bolts that hold the shifter to the floor.

4) Put a helper in the driver seat with engine running, foot on brake, pulling back gently on shift lever.

5) Tap on the right (passenger) side of the shifter assembly using a steel rod (1/4" diameter, 8" long) and a medium ball peen hammer. After 8-10 stout taps, the shifter went into neutral.

6) Once the shifter is in neutral, it's easy to remove the center console panel. Then you can finish removing the bolts that hold the shifter to the floor.

Next step, which I haven't figured out yet: Disconnect the shift linkage and remove the shifter.

Did mine about three weeks ago. Just needed a slight tap with a hammer.

I have same problem at my car now SL600 .... and I think I must buy a new shifter.
I have keyless go also.....
Mercedes told me I can't change it myself because I need a mercedes tool for that.... wonder what kind of tool and is't true?
Regarding the shifter knob... somebody told me that the knob must pulled up if you want and need to take it of??..
Have somebody change the shifter before.... I have heard that inside the shifter there is a small plastic pin which is of and it worthless to glue it again.

Juha

You don't have to change the whole shifter juha, an inexpensive way would be to just replace the plastic gear selector with a new piece. Did mine a few weeks ago.

Okay thank you....
Is't a plastic pin which are of when I can't move the shifter?
I can heard and feel something happen which the shifter when I push the break pedal.
If it so I wonder where the plastic pin is.... is't inside the shifter shaft or is't somewhere beside the shifter?

If I have time tomorrow I'm gone try to fix it...

PS. Mercedes told me that I must buy a complete new shifter.... and I can't buy spare part inside the shifter.

Juha

The reason they tell you to buy a new shifter is because the new piece is not OEM, and you can't buy it from the dealer. The plastic piece is located inside the shifter assembly so all of that has to be disassembled. If you are pretty handy with cars it will take about 2 hours to replace the part.

Thank you:)
I'm gone try to do that ...

Juha

Sure thing, let me know if you get stuck anywhere in the process.

I think this was the one I purchased.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-ESM-GEAR-SELECTOR-RELEASE-LEVER-2002-2006-W220-S430-C215-R230-/150891252867?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2321d1cc83&vxp=mtr
You can get them in aluminum too so they probably won't break again, but I heard those might chatter in the shifter box as they are a bit heavier.

Thank you...
This help me a lot... :)

Regards
Juha

For what it's worth, I had a difficult time disconnecting the shifter assembly from the shift linkage. Anybody who attempts this repair should be prepared for some pain and frustration. I did it from inside the car, but it was not easy.

It was very difficult to take of the shifter.... but now it's on my desk.
I found the broken part also.... and I can't understand why and how can they build the shifter so inefficient and poorly! It was a hard work but I have decide to buy a new part from Ebay and change it. You must lose few screws and I drilled two staples of and then you can take of the broken part. Here in Finland new shifter cost 970 Eur.....

Here few pictures how it's look inside the shifter and you can also see the broken plastic part.

Good stuff Juha!

I had mine replaced by MB a year ago. Thought it was the plastic piece that failed too, but it turned out to be the solenoid actuator that pushes on it had failed. MB did the change out and tried to keep my old shift box. No way, keeping it for parts down the road. One never knows. I considered exchanging it myself, but bailed after reading the DIY's. Need to get my confidence level a bit higher in regards to the DIY's on these cars as the price for MB mechanics is not impressing my bank account.

Now when I have seen this part I'm afraid to use the shifter....:):)
That plastic part is so thin build that I'm sure Mercedes have earn lot of money
:):)

That part should be made of thicker plastic... This shifter has been a gold mine for mercedes....

Juha

As Juha said -- the manufacturer replaced some of the internal screws with rivets.

If you watch the youtube video, one side has a plastic plate held on by three screws. On mine, it had two screws and a rivet. I had to drill out the rivet.

On the other side of the metal cover plate, there's a metal tab held in place by another rivet. I ended up cutting off the metal tab.

While I was doing this job, I kept thinking that the designers really went out of their way to make it difficult. My brother (a senior GM mechanic) tells me some of those "features" are there to deter theft. I think it might deter me from buying another old Mercedes!

thanks

Shifter
 

I just took mine out altogether its a lot easier to set it up on my lift now no more having to press brake to put in neutral

Yes it's lot of easier... my problem was also that I can't put the shift to neutral even I press the brake pedal.. it was locked at parking position ... I must hammer the pin at the shifter front to do that and it was difficult.... you have not so much space for the hammer...but in the end I managed it.

Change that plastic part in the car without take it of is high-performance job:):)
I think I can do it now when I now which part is broken and which part I must change.
I also did one mistake... when I tried to take of the shifter knob (Keyless) I turn the knob and the cables cut of.... Today I'm gone look at that and try to solve the problem.... Maybe I must draw new cable to the knob start/stop button.
The knob released when you pull it up and hard .... don't turn it.

Juha

I have promoted it before ..... but be sure I'm not getting any kick-back from MB ... but this DVD will save you thousande of green stuff :D

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9124

I ordered already the plastic OEM part but now later I found the aluminum selector to and order it.
I don't want change this part again.
Here is the link http://www.ebay.com/itm/170979696411...E:3160&vxp=mtr

Juha

Great stuff Juha - let's us know how this turns out - if it's working allright ....... or have you put in the car for the winter by now?