Thanks to Durkatlon for showing and explaining the procedure as we met this morning to remove ponia003's tail lamp assembly and install the AMG tail lamp (with the central horizontal smoked area).
Credit goes to Durk for explaining and demonstrating the procedure, and to Dan for the demonstrator vehicle.
The procedure has been described and illustrated in the following posts:
1. Link to John's (UK-C200) post: http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r171-general-discussion/10397-tail-light-removal.html
2. Link to Zeiser50's post on removing the center panel in the boot/trunk: http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r171-general-discussion/3611-remove-paneling-rear-center-section.html
What follows is mainly a supplement to the above 2 posts, and perhaps the accompanying photos will make the procedure clear. This is by no means comprehensive and does not replace what a skilled and trained authorized technician may provide.
The procedure in outline form
Tools:
Small flat head screwdriver (more like jeweler's flat head screwdriver)
8mm socket and corresponding ratcheting wrench
T-15 Torx head screwdriver
wedge tool (optional)
1. The first procedure is to remove the center inside/inner smooth lining/panel inside the trunk/boot space and is broken down as follows:
a. Remove 8 (4 on each side) RECTANGULAR 2-piece expansion-type fasteners located at the upper portion of the panel
b. Remove 5 (2 on each side, one in center just below trunk latch anchor point) ROUND 2-piece expansion-type fasteners located at the lower portion of the panel
c. Remove 2 torx screws at each lower corner. These are covered (round). The covers are hinged open by using small flat-head screwdriver revealing the underlying torx screw.
d. Remove 2 rubber bumpers. Loosen the single screw that holds the second generation digital satellite radio receiver and pivot downward (older models: first generation satellite receiver may need to be removed using a different method)
e. Loosen the rear of the rectangular "horse-hair" borders that "protect" the complex hinges of the trunk/boot lid. These are part of the furry inner lining at the sides of the trunk/boot space. Loosen also the panels that one opens to gain access to the rear of the tail lamp assembly, e.g., when changing out the turn signal lamp.
f. Remove the center panel by pulling the panel's RIGHT outer edge inward and upward to release one side from the compression fitting at the lower corner (I labeled them "legs"), a wedge tool may be handy but not really necessary.
g. Once the right side is free, it will be easier to loosen and free the LEFT side but be careful as the wire connections to the trunk light (caution: hot lamp) and to the trunk lid separator mini-switch are still attached. Disconnect these once they are visible and accessible.
h. Center panel should now be completely free.
2. Remove the four 8mm nuts that fasten the tail lamp assembly to the body panel. As John stated, 3 are easily visible and the fourth is behind the furry panel but easily felt. Take great care in removing the nuts. Loosen first with the ratcheting wrench, then use fingers to loosen and remove completely. DO NOT drop these or they will fall into the deep recess of the rear body panel, never to be seen again. The tail lamp assembly can now be worked loose. Disconnect the wire harness that clips to the tail lamp assembly.
Post #3 (no post title)
Location of expansion-type fasteners, torx screw and rubber stopper/bumper:
yellow arrows point to the RECTANGULAR 2-piece expansion-type fasteners
red arrows point to the ROUND 2 piece expansion-type fasteners (including the center one)
blue arrow points to the rubber bumper
white arrow point to the torx screw position
The coloured arrows point to those at the right side of vehicle, there is a corresponding left side.
![Image]()
Post #4 (Removing RECTANGULAR 2-piece expansion-type fasteners)
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What the RECTANGULAR 2-piece expansion-type fasteners look like:
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Post #5 (Removing ROUND 2-piece expansion-type fasteners, and torx screws)
![Image]()
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Post #6 (Removing the rubber bumper)
![Image]()
What the rubber stopper/bumper looks like after removal, notice the arrow-shaped lower end (be careful not to tear or damage these during removal)
![Image]()
Post #7 ("horse-hair" border loosening procedure)
"horse-hair" border at the trunk/boot lid hinge mechanism
![Image]()
![Image]()
What it looks like when all loosened (note photo shows the center panel already removed)
![Image]()
Post #9 (Removing the center panel)
Remove center panel from the right side first, then left. One must loosen the compression fitting or leg that is at the lower corner by pulling upward and inward or use a wedge tool to loosen.
![Image]()
Close up of the "leg" or compression fitting
![Image]()
Post #10 (Remove connection to trunk lid separator limit switch and trunk light, remove 4 nuts)
![Image]()
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8mm nuts
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![Image]()
What it looks like after removing tail lamp assembly. Notice the four holes through which the tail-lamp is fastened to the body.
![Image]()
Hope the above is helpful and clarifies the procedure better.
Assembly or replacement is of course the reverse procedure.
Credit goes to Durk for explaining and demonstrating the procedure, and to Dan for the demonstrator vehicle.
The procedure has been described and illustrated in the following posts:
1. Link to John's (UK-C200) post: http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r171-general-discussion/10397-tail-light-removal.html
2. Link to Zeiser50's post on removing the center panel in the boot/trunk: http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r171-general-discussion/3611-remove-paneling-rear-center-section.html
What follows is mainly a supplement to the above 2 posts, and perhaps the accompanying photos will make the procedure clear. This is by no means comprehensive and does not replace what a skilled and trained authorized technician may provide.
The procedure in outline form
Tools:
Small flat head screwdriver (more like jeweler's flat head screwdriver)
8mm socket and corresponding ratcheting wrench
T-15 Torx head screwdriver
wedge tool (optional)
1. The first procedure is to remove the center inside/inner smooth lining/panel inside the trunk/boot space and is broken down as follows:
a. Remove 8 (4 on each side) RECTANGULAR 2-piece expansion-type fasteners located at the upper portion of the panel
b. Remove 5 (2 on each side, one in center just below trunk latch anchor point) ROUND 2-piece expansion-type fasteners located at the lower portion of the panel
c. Remove 2 torx screws at each lower corner. These are covered (round). The covers are hinged open by using small flat-head screwdriver revealing the underlying torx screw.
d. Remove 2 rubber bumpers. Loosen the single screw that holds the second generation digital satellite radio receiver and pivot downward (older models: first generation satellite receiver may need to be removed using a different method)
e. Loosen the rear of the rectangular "horse-hair" borders that "protect" the complex hinges of the trunk/boot lid. These are part of the furry inner lining at the sides of the trunk/boot space. Loosen also the panels that one opens to gain access to the rear of the tail lamp assembly, e.g., when changing out the turn signal lamp.
f. Remove the center panel by pulling the panel's RIGHT outer edge inward and upward to release one side from the compression fitting at the lower corner (I labeled them "legs"), a wedge tool may be handy but not really necessary.
g. Once the right side is free, it will be easier to loosen and free the LEFT side but be careful as the wire connections to the trunk light (caution: hot lamp) and to the trunk lid separator mini-switch are still attached. Disconnect these once they are visible and accessible.
h. Center panel should now be completely free.
2. Remove the four 8mm nuts that fasten the tail lamp assembly to the body panel. As John stated, 3 are easily visible and the fourth is behind the furry panel but easily felt. Take great care in removing the nuts. Loosen first with the ratcheting wrench, then use fingers to loosen and remove completely. DO NOT drop these or they will fall into the deep recess of the rear body panel, never to be seen again. The tail lamp assembly can now be worked loose. Disconnect the wire harness that clips to the tail lamp assembly.
Post #3 (no post title)
Location of expansion-type fasteners, torx screw and rubber stopper/bumper:
yellow arrows point to the RECTANGULAR 2-piece expansion-type fasteners
red arrows point to the ROUND 2 piece expansion-type fasteners (including the center one)
blue arrow points to the rubber bumper
white arrow point to the torx screw position
The coloured arrows point to those at the right side of vehicle, there is a corresponding left side.
Post #4 (Removing RECTANGULAR 2-piece expansion-type fasteners)
What the RECTANGULAR 2-piece expansion-type fasteners look like:
Post #5 (Removing ROUND 2-piece expansion-type fasteners, and torx screws)
Post #6 (Removing the rubber bumper)
What the rubber stopper/bumper looks like after removal, notice the arrow-shaped lower end (be careful not to tear or damage these during removal)
Post #7 ("horse-hair" border loosening procedure)
"horse-hair" border at the trunk/boot lid hinge mechanism
What it looks like when all loosened (note photo shows the center panel already removed)
Post #9 (Removing the center panel)
Remove center panel from the right side first, then left. One must loosen the compression fitting or leg that is at the lower corner by pulling upward and inward or use a wedge tool to loosen.
Close up of the "leg" or compression fitting
Post #10 (Remove connection to trunk lid separator limit switch and trunk light, remove 4 nuts)
8mm nuts
What it looks like after removing tail lamp assembly. Notice the four holes through which the tail-lamp is fastened to the body.
Hope the above is helpful and clarifies the procedure better.
Assembly or replacement is of course the reverse procedure.
