Question re lower trim strips

[Eryck]

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering how the lower trim strips are attached to the body of the car. Mine has rivets on them but I don't think that's right.  The upper ones are held on by screws behind the rubber strip, I think. But no idea on the lower ones.  Also, they are aluminum right? Not steel like the upper strips?

Thanks again in advance.

1965 230 SL White Manual
Hong Kong

[Douglas]

On a 280 SL, they are aluminum and they snap into place. You can still purchase the fasteners new as well as the trim in aluminum.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[J. Huber]

The strip is held by little 2 piece fasteners with a nobby end. They slide into trim piece and then pop into holes in the body. All the major suppliers have them.

I had a really hard time getting my new ones to work right. I ended up pushing too hard with my thumbs -- and ended up slightly denting the new trim. The aluminum trim is pretty soft.

James
63 230SL

[Douglas]

I was able to snap the fasteners into the body first, then snap the trim in on top of it with light pressure. Amazingly simple and a good tight fit.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[J. Huber]

Now ya tell me...

At the point you snapped trim on, were the pointy metal parts of the clips on the car or in the channels of the trim. Sorry folks... I'm learnin' here...

James
63 230SL

[Douglas]

I'm not sure what you mean by "pointy metal parts of the clip." The clips I have are entirely plastic.

First, you snap the plastic fasteners into place into the sheet metal of the body. Then you simply hang the top half of the channel on the backside of the aluminum trim, then push it into place to make the bottom half "click" into place.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[J. Huber]

Hmm. I like your experience better. I believe my clips came as two parts - blue plastic balls and flat metal slidy things. (Time to whip out the digital when I get home...) Thanks Douglas.

So Eryck, be sure you ask about clips if you order new trim...

James
63 230SL

[J. Huber]

As promised... The one on the left is original. The two upper right combine to make the lower right... Resemble yours at all, Douglas?



Download Attachment: clips.JPG
22.5 KB

James
63 230SL

[Naj ✝︎]

Is there any difference between the blue and yellow clips?
One may be for the door skin (much thicker) and the other for steel (thinner) panels?
Do we have a concensus on where the metal bit goes?
230 waiting to be fitted with these trim bits.
naj


65 230SL
68 280SL

[Douglas]

Mine are the top blue ones that are all plastic. (They also come in yellow, but they're the exact same thing.)

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[Benz Dr.]

The metal clips are part of the assembly but aren't really needed. They're supposed to keep the trim from sliding forward which it really won't do.
The plastic inserts have a smaller insert which goes in the centre to lock them into place but again, they're not really needed.
The top strip isn't steel - it's chrome plated brass as are many parts on older MB cars.

Daniel G Caron

[Eryck]

Thanks everyone.

I will order the clips as well. One slight problem remains for me. Some trims are missing on my car e.g. the small one before the rear wheel. Also the steel trim behind the rear wheel on one side.

Problem is that there are no holes! Perhaps the old owner just got a garage to fill them in! Guess I'll have to get the garage to re-make the holes??? You'll see an example of this in the attached pic (if it works) - sorry can't seem to upload the pic. Will try to reduce the file another time.

1965 230 SL White Manual
Hong Kong

[Eryck]

Sorry, Dr. Benz. Not the steel stip, the chrome strip.

1965 230 SL White Manual
Hong Kong

[J. Huber]

Shoot. Because I was determined to have the metal part on, I put the clip on trim first, then pushed onto car (and marred the trim). Next time, I will try putting just blue guy into car first, then the trim.

Thanks.

Eryck, there was another thread about the rear chrome strips and where they should go. Might try a search. Also, its a longshot, but maybe you can see the back of the holes from inside wheel well.

James
63 230SL

[Naj ✝︎]

Here's what I did










naj

68 280SL

[ranchomerced]

I would recomend at least putting one of the spikes in every short piece and two in the door ones. I had one slide back and kink the door one and ruined the short piece when I opened the door to get out.

[bpossel]

Hi All!

I am having trouble getting the blue plastic clips in the holes of the doors.  Doors seem thicker and holes seem smaller.

Before I damage the door and/or paint[!], are the plastic clips different for the doors?  I have 3 new clips (just like the pics in Naj's post below), blue one that has a nipple on it and goes into the exterior holes.  Also have the thin metal clip and small white nipple for the alum trim piece.

Are there 2 sizes of the clips (plugs)that go into the body, door panels?

Thanks!
Bob  

[Naj ✝︎]

quote:Originally posted by bpossel

Hi All!

I am having trouble getting the blue plastic clips in the holes of the doors.  Doors seem thicker and holes seem smaller.

Before I damage the door and/or paint[!], are the plastic clips different for the doors?  I have 3 new clips (just like the pics in Naj's post below), blue one that has a nipple on it and goes into the exterior holes.  Also have the thin metal clip and small white nipple for the alum trim piece.

Are there 2 sizes of the clips (plugs)that go into the body, door panels?

Thanks!
Bob  

Yes, the door skin is thicker than the steel fenders and the gap in the door clips is wider. Last ones I had were yellow/orange.
Will try and find you a part # later.

Door Clips: 002 998 1178 (14 used)
Front/rear fender clips: 002 998 1278 (10 used)
naj

[bpossel]

Thanks Naj!
Bob

quote:Originally posted by naj

quote:Originally posted by bpossel

Hi All!

I am having trouble getting the blue plastic clips in the holes of the doors.  Doors seem thicker and holes seem smaller.

Before I damage the door and/or paint[!], are the plastic clips different for the doors?  I have 3 new clips (just like the pics in Naj's post below), blue one that has a nipple on it and goes into the exterior holes.  Also have the thin metal clip and small white nipple for the alum trim piece.

Are there 2 sizes of the clips (plugs)that go into the body, door panels?

Thanks!
Bob  

Yes, the door skin is thicker than the steel fenders and the gap in the door clips is wider. Last ones I had were yellow/orange.
Will try and find you a part # later.

Door Clips: 002 998 1178 (14 used)
Front/rear fender clips: 002 998 1278 (10 used)
naj

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by naj
Yes, the door skin is thicker than the steel fenders and the gap in the door clips is wider. Last ones I had were yellow/orange.

Naj,
is this also true for a 230SL, that is, is there a difference in the  hole size between doors and panels?
Thank!

[Naj ✝︎]

quote:Originally posted by 66andBlue

quote:Originally posted by naj
Yes, the door skin is thicker than the steel fenders and the gap in the door clips is wider. Last ones I had were yellow/orange.

Naj,
is this also true for a 230SL, that is, is there a difference in the  hole size between doors and panels?
Thank!

Hello, Alfred,

I believe the hole diameters are the same, it's just the gap in between the clip that is wider on the yellow clips.

In fact, I did manage to fit blue clips even on the doors on my 230 but the thumb was sore for a week or two!

I'll try and find some loose clips to show the difference.  Lower picture.
Now you need to teach me how to label these things properly!!  :oops:







naj

[66andBlue]

Naj,
thanks that helped!
Finally I could notice the difference between the blue and yellow knobs:



Now I also understand why SLS only sells the yellow knobs in their clip set. Unless one has the "original" thin panels without layers of paint the blue ones are tough to get in - my thumbs hurt too!  
Here is their description how to install them:

[bpossel]

I too really struggled with these clips!  What I found helped me to get them in was to start on one end, then rotate the clip, while continuing to press VERY HARD!  While rotating, it seemed to catch behind the skin.  I did "waste" a couple of them, but luckily bought some extras.  Expensive boogers!  The yellow ones were $3.72 each!
Bob

[Naj ✝︎]

Hello, Alfred,

Thanks for the pretty pictures.

The last picture seems to suggest that all the clips need the white plug to secure the clip to the panels.
If you look at the parts listings in an MB catalog, they suggest two each for the door panels and one each for the shorter trims - same as the spring clips. My view is that the white plugs are only used to hold the metal spring clips in place.

Any comments???

naj

[bpossel]

Naj,

I used the inner white plugs on all the clips. I think they are needed to help re-expand the "bubble" of the clip, and to help ensure the clip stays in the hole.  These poor things get squished when you push them in the holes...  Sort of like other trim clips on newer cars.  They use an "inner" nail that you push in to secure the clip in place.
I used the 2 spring clips on each of the trim pieces, one on each end.  Even 2 on the small end pieces.  My trim used to slide back and forth.  Now it holds nicely, as it should.
Bob