Taillight seals

[gugel]

I've gotten new taillight seals for my 230SL (part numbers A 113 826 01 58 and A 113 826 02 58).  However, I can't figure a way to install them so the narrow lip of rubber overlaps the chrome slightly all around the edge, as in the attached photo of a car at the Mercedes Classic Center in Stuttgart.

I thought about gluing the seals to the chrome first, but it doesn't look like the originals were installed this way.  Is there some other trick to installing them?

Chris

Download Attachment: 230SL.JPG
77.58 KB

[Cees Klumper]

Maybe softening the rubber with hot air / hot water first? Is the problem too tight a fit? Have you checked with the supplier you bought the seals from ?

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Ben]

that 230SL in the Classic Centre has the wrong lenses !!

It should have the old shape "all red" units " which dont have that little rubber seal between the chrome and the body !!

Were you able to buy those little seals seperately? Is that what you part numbers get you ?

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[Jonny B]

Find the forum item "A commonly missed detail on restoration" for a further discussion on the little rubber gasket. There are some part numbers listed, plus some information on model year changes and timing.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Bob G ✝︎]

Back away from the glue bottle!!! You will need to loosely install the big inside rubber seal into the tailight assemblie. At the top leave a little room to feed the small outer trim seal along the edge of the chrome bezel. As apply the small rubber gasket to the chrome bezel use a squeer or something to fold the lip over the edge of the chrome bezel at the same time push in the large inner seal this will lock into position the top tim seal. You might have to re adjust  the small seal when you put on the taillight assembly into the body but it is fairly stright forward proceeder.
Bob Geco

[gugel]

I read the thread on "A commonly missed detail on restoration" as suggested by Jonny B, and now I'm really confused!  If experts like Pete Lesler, Bob Geco, and Gernold disagree, it's hard to know what's correct.

At least I've learned that the larger taillight seals don't overlap the edges of the taillight chrome, as I had thought, but that the edge seals -- if they should be there -- are separate pieces.

Chris

[Bob G ✝︎]

I want to clarify the story behine these trim gaskets. First of all from the 230SL to the early 280SL only three trim gaskets were used. One on each end of the long trom bars accross the back that join the taillight assemblies and one for the trunk lock chrome fixture. In later 1969 when the new taillights with their own separate lens came out a gasket was added to match the other three gaskets accross the back of the chrome trim. This gasket was never sold separately but only with a comeplete light assembly.
What has happened is over the years many people have losted these trim gaskets and have put the trim back with out them in place. Others have got the newer taillight assemblies and that is why you see this gasket only over there taillight assemblie.
A simular more plyable gasket can be purchased from SL-Tech that works to replace woren or missing trim gaskets NLA from Mercedes-Benz. All one has ro do is cut to size and fit.
I do hope Mercedes does reproduce these trim gaskets again soon.
Bob  Geco

[hauser]

Bob are we talking full rear replcement gaskets or lights only from Gernold?

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.