help, cant get europa chrome faceplate to fit

[BaronYoungman]

So when we took the car apart these are the exact same parts but I cannot get the Chrome faceplate to seat on the metal holder plate for a Europa radio please see pictures I think that the clips might be broken but they don't look it. The problem being is that the Chrome faceplate will not hold it won't snap in with the plastic pinstripe plate in thank you

[Tyler S]

Bob, It appears your clips are bent outward. These 2 clips should snap into the INNER area of the chrome frame, not the outer diameter. a few generic pics below

[BaronYoungman]

Thank you so much for the information it looks to me on that 1st picture (It gets grainy if I blow it up too much) but there are 2 spring metals one that goes straight and the one that bends.  I will get a picture at luck but with the plastic pinstripe plate on top of the bare metal front case of the radio, the clips do not have enough length to grab the faceplate.  I will get a picture on my lunch. 

[Tyler S]

Bob, these clips do not grab the plastic faceplate. The notches in the plastic are only for clearance for the clips. Install the plastic faceplate into the back of the chrome trim and make sure it is flush on the front of the trim. Use some masking tape to hold it if necessary. Then position the chrome trim in situ on the radio frame and push the tabs inward with a pick or small flat screwdriver twards the center of the radio while pushing the chrome trim twards the radio. Being that your clips appear bent outward near where they are riveted, there is an arch to the area that should be straight. This may be affecting their overall length.
Looking again at your photo, it appears the frame where the clips attach with the rivet is also bent/bulged.

[66andBlue]

Bob,
do you have the small face (230SL) or large face (280SL) radio?
Here are more pix, but not sure whether they'll help you.

[Tyler S]

It also looks as if the frame is bent. This would explain the chrome flace plate bottoming out but the clips not reaching the detent in the chrome trim.

[BaronYoungman]

That could be but obviously the radio was together to begin with here are some more pictures with the old faceplated there just to show you where the dimension problem live

[BaronYoungman]

As you can see with the pinstripe faceplate on the front there is no way that that clip is long enough to catch the Chrome

[BaronYoungman]

Because the Pinstripe plastic must rest on top of both the black item that contains the radio name and the Chrome surround for the push buttons as seen in the second  picture

[BaronYoungman]

So I very much appreciate everyone's help on this you can probably tell by my texts, my frustration level.  I was very good this time that I bagged and labeled all the parts as I took them off, but obviously when I took the radio apart it didn't dawn on me that I would have any issues.   Also I did not take pictures of it in the car so now I am even questioning if that Chrome plate was on the radio to begin with or just one of the many parts laying in the car I guess if nothing else it just goes to show you in today's day and age with digital photos being Free take photos take photos take photos don't be an idiot like me

[Tyler S]

Bob, the plastic faceplate should be fitting INSIDE the chrome trim. There should be a notch cut in it for the "radio name". Either you have the wrong faceplate or the wrong pinstripe insert. Get a pic of the back of your chrome trim and a pic of the pinstripe insert in its entirety.

[BaronYoungman]

OK will do after my day gig.
Thanks, Bob

[alfie1977]

Hi Bob, I have just fitted a Becker Europa to my car yesterday. I'm pretty sure the clips on the side went inside the chrome surround. If you look at the inside of the surround you will see recesses where the clips fix.
When I fitted my facia I made sure it was already in the surround, I then pulled the surround over one end and pushed down on the other end and it clipped on.
Hope this helps.
Alfie

[waltklatt]

Baron,
See picture.

[BaronYoungman]

so the plastic pinstripe faceplate should fit inside the bare metal case? see picture, sorry poor resolution I am using a Pre WW2 cell phone camera.
because if I do not have the plastic pinstripe faceplate on I can get the chrome to snap into the bare metal back case

[Tyler S]

The pinstripe plate fits (should fit) inside of the chrome surround/trim. Not the metal case with the clips.
With it installed correctly, there should be no visible gap between the pinstripe and the inner area of the chrome as you would view it installed from the front.

[BaronYoungman]

I never like it when you don't hear the solution, it is like watching a TV series and them getting cancelled before the plot resolves.  So this is why I could not get that faceplate to snap in.  The pot metal frame that attaches to the radio itself was slightly (I do mean slightly ) bent.  This was enough to cause the plastic plate to be too thick on the "bent side".  First off that pot metal is brittle.  But some gentle easing and I got it straight and POP that plate went on.  THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP.  Without your input I never would have thought such a little detail was holding this up.
Bob

[BaronYoungman]

Picture radio done

[Tyler S]

Awesome! 🎼🎼🎼📻

[RAY]

Wow, that was quite something.
Well done, this group is FANTASTIC.
Ray