w124 centre pillar trim

[Dexter]

Help

The interior trim that fits down the inside of the centre pillar of my w124 estate (with the seat belt mechanism behind it) does not fit snuggly.

It is secured at the top with a big clip and at the bottom with two screws that thread into the body but in the middle it bows out looking unsightly in the extreme. Should there be a fastening at a mid point of the pillar to hold it secure ?

My local parts dealership looked at it and said that clips were missing I then ordered all clips associated with that trim, some of which I can aleady see in operation (black plastic strip and brass butterfly) around the seat belt mechanism and one that I can't see anywhere (tin clip 124 9883378) and can't see where it should fit on. They have provided me with four of these so I guess there should be two each side but where they go is anyone's guess.

Grateful for any help with this one

 

[G MAN]

Have you compared this with the other side (as you should now be able to figure out the correct assembly/removal procedure ) or is that the same issue?If so I'll try & look at mine & report back

 

[Dexter]

Thanks for interest G Man

Regret, same problem on opposite side so won't provide any clues.

 

[tjo]

have same model, just checked and no clips from screws at bottom up 2 seatbelt, there is a sort of sliding action 2 fit properly round about seatbelt which is nes 4 snug fit, but def no clips in middle and mine fits perfectly, maybe the trim is buckled 4 some reason

 

[MerChris]

I have the same issue as your guys. I've tried simply pushing the trim back in against the pillar, which worked temporarily of course. Not sure of a more permanent fix as the trim will warp over time, as will, I presume the pillar itself? Either way, not a big deal for me, although the squeeking noise associated is atad irritating until I yank the stereo up a bit!

 

[Dexter]

That's curious Merchris!

Like me you probably can't believe that a Merc of any age would have such a badly fitting bit of interior trim. The trim is plastic and not in my opinion capable of getting bent into the wrong shape.

Normally you find that removing/ refitting automotive trim is very 'knacky' and perhaps the person that removed mine on both sides and did not know how to put it back in probably losing the clips in the process. One theory along this line is that you attach the clips to the pillar then attach the trim although lining up the seat belt height adjusted whilst you are doing this is likely to be a nightmare! can't see how it will slide into position either.

Got to be someone out there who has solved this problem without expense and can hopefully confirm where clip 124 9883378 actually goes.

Grateful

 

[Bolide]

Centre pillar trim

I think that Hans, the Senior Vice President of Interior Trim Retainment, Product Lifetime Warranty Assurance Supervisor had a couple of Carlsbergs too many, or a dodgy Bratwurst, the day that particular piece of trim was OKayed for production

Basically they fall off when looked at and that's it. The end.

The big spring clip at the top is obviously fitted with no seats in and it bends when you take it out. I've never seen a car with fixings in the middle

The plastic inverted T-piece at the bottom is brittle on early cars and some were only fixed with one screw (see what I mean about Hans?)

I wish I didn't know all this stuff - it's filling up my brain. Next week we'll be discussing carpet trim clip removal and sunroof adjustments. Till then...


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[G MAN]

http://www.mercedesparts.co.uk/ . Julian 0113 2813672 is the bloke to try if you still need help, but the Master, Bolide, & others above are spot on & have summed it up. Haynes manual has a couple of lines on "seat belt removal" & worth looking at , espec to re-attach the trim panel with the front & rear door sealing strips.But it's basically push fit at the top & screw in at the bottom. Good Luck