Mercedes W166/X166 Armrest Latch Replacement/Rear AC Panel Removal

[@modernvintagelifestyles]

Thanks for this video. Just did this on a 2015 ML350 and have a few tips. The big screws are T30, not T27. This can definitely be done without removing the center console. You can remove the rear panel from inside the car. Simply remove the 4 (t20) screws (shown @ 4:13) and then the 2 (t20) screws revealed at the top next to the blue connector (shown at 8:36) after removing the rear panel. You will still need to remove the 6 screws inside the center console (shown at 1:34) and the 2 connections (USB and Ipod interface connection) on the wall inside the center console. You also don't need to remove that bottom screw at the bottom of the console (mentioned at 8:57)

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Hey, thanks for your comment. When I made the video it was all on the fly with no schematics, hence all the unnecessary additional steps I mentioned in this video; I uploaded a video with a reduced list of steps similar to that of what you’ve mentioned, but in the event people don’t happen to see that video, I’ll pin this comment to save people some time on their repairs. Thanks again.

[@modernvintagelifestyles]

@@OneStopShopGarage thank you again for taking the lead amd making this video. It's "giving" people like you who help us all save money by showing us how we could do it ourselves. There are other videos by other ppl showing the same objective, but your video is the clearest and most helpful.

[@fredsemakula6806]

Hey, can you recap in an orderly sequence, i.e. step 1, step 2, step 3, etc? thanks

[@easyeintennessee]

I'd never be able to figure this out alone. Thanks for posting this video. Was not easy, and would be much easier with magnetic hex screws but its done... now time to sell the car.

[@maxmay8193]

I cant find this part, can you please give me the part number for the latch?

[@Howser2830]

Absolutely the most thorough, step-by-step video for replacing a broken latch for the center console anywhere on KZbin! The latch on my W166 ML has been broken for months and I’ve been waiting for warmer weather to try and tackle the fix with the little info I had. The timing of this video was perfect! Thanks so much and keep the repair videos coming!

[@MalcolmMyers-f4x]

I searched everywhere to find a video that explains how to to do this and was just lucky to find your video. Your instructions were perfect. The local Mercedes dealer quoted me $1301 but with your help, I was able to replace the armrest locking assembly and the part was less than $12. I should mention that it probably took me eight hours over two days to do the work. Attaching the springs to the new locking mechanism was perhaps the hardest job.

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Glad the video helped you out man. It wasn't until recently I realized that this repair is able to be carried out without having to remove the center console assembly from the vehicle, however the repair might be simpler to do when removing the entire assembly, seeing that space is limited between the rear ac panel and the rear seats. I recently released a video covering the shorter repair process. But anyways, awesome to hear you were able to do the repair yourself and save some money. Take care. 🍻

[@thirtyyards]

This video is a life saver. My GL 450 latch hook launched into orbit never to find early last year. I bought the replacement part off ebay but never got any complete replacement instructions anywhere on the internet until today. Found this video this morning and got to it right away with the part I had ordered year ago. Took me about two hours, just being careful not to break anything else, Finally sigh of relief and sense of accomplishment. Thank you so much for this fantastic video.

[@paullaliberte2293]

This was perfect! $12 for the latch part and took me less than 2 hours. Thank you! (Paul's wife) Sylvie

[@rasuelm.4345]

I've search countless videos looking for a simple video explaining how to replace a broken latch on this ML350 model and for the grace of God, your video shows up. Thank you so much for an in depth and easy to understand video. Two tools needed and a little work that can save you hundreds instead of going to the dealer. I'm glad someone as yourself uploaded this as it is a huge help for DYI on simple fixes. 💯 🔥 👍💪

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Happy you found the video helpful. Take care.

[@gcthreee]

My latch just broke yesterday and it has to be repaired. I did see another video on KZbin, but it will make you dizzy with the poor explanation and video bouncing around. You did a great job here by being precise in your explanation. I never would have found half of the screws to disassemble the console once I had it out of the car. HUGE help! I did order a new latch but repaired the orginal piece by filing-down the broken sprint stub, drillling the latch for a small diameter screw that not only is more substantial than the plastic stub, but the head of the screw prevented the spring from shooting-off when applying the tension. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@OneStopShopGarage]

@@gcthreee Glad you found the video to be helpful. Take Care.

[@thomashurwitch1537]

Super helpful video. I had a broken latch on my 2015 ML400. This video not only helped me get it done correctly in no time but I saved hundreds…the dealership wanted $815 for just the part (the whole arm rest assembly) and I spent $12 on eBay!

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Hey really glad to hear you found the video helpful. Take care sir!

[@alecalessandra9681]

This is an awesome video. I am now waiting for Amazon to show up with the replacement latch and spring within the next 185 minutes. What is interesting is that at 10:30 in your video you have the same area broken on your center console that I have--it is where there is the screw underneath. And it is for the driver side latch assembly down by where the base of that spring goes. It looks like an arch cutout in your video. Mine broke exactly the same. The failure overall on my center console was passenger side latch. The post where the spring is coiled around on the latch is sheared off and the spring is also MIA.

[@MarkMerrill-hc3rs]

Great video. For the bottom two screws all I did was loosen them and it allowed me to pull back on the top of rear panel to access the top screws without removing that panel.

[@luoyng]

Thanks Bro! I have been looking for this video for years

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Glad you found the video to be helpful. Take care.

[@JLKelly-fb8bh]

This video was great and helped us fix that broken latch.

[@greysonmoore3469]

Appreciate the video! I changed the same part with no trouble at all using just this.

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Glad the video helped you out bud. Take Care 🍻

[@danielmaioliduarte]

thank you for your video, it really helped me figured out how to remove the armrest compartment for fixing the latch.😁😁😁😁

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Glad my video was able to help you out bud. Take care, peace!

[@oliverhowes7860]

Thanks for the video! 😃 Helped me repair the storage tray.

[@Charlieb1310]

Excellent video, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Glad to hear you found the video helpful! Take care.

[@irismiller89]

Thanks for this video would’ve cost me a lot of money

[@ultradancvo7104]

Man I needed this bad thanks!

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Hey guys, just wanted to jump into the comment section to say I posted a new video covering this repair with fewer steps, that can save you some time. Feel free to check it out on my channel. Video is titled "W166 DIY Interior Repairs" Aside from that, I wanted to state a little info correction; one of the viewers brought it to my attention that the bolts that I believed to be Torx T27s are actually Torx T30s, so to avoid the possibility of rounding out your bolts, I'd advise the use of the correct size bit to carry out your repairs. Hope this helps.

[@DougButler-l6m]

Highest production quality I have seen in a car repair video. MB quoted over $1,000 but with a friend it took us about two hours. The video was critical.

[@pecas281]

Any extra steps with the DVD player in the center console? Thank you so much for making this video!

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Hey, thanks for your comment. I unfortunately have no knowledge on the removal process of the dvd player, my car didn’t come with that feature. Perhaps try searching on some forums or Mercedes facebook groups for guidance. Sorry that I couldn’t offer much help on the matter. Take Care.

[@Fluffytigerb]

There is one extra step, you have to access the 2 screws hidden under the DVD bezel that goes around where the DVD is inserted (think like a picture frame). You'll have to slide out the player out to access the lower two screws behind it to remove the AC vents. I didn't need to unplug the player, sliding it forward gave me enough access. 👍

[@mermaidlaughter]

Great video. I just finished repairing my latch but I have a question. Is there a trick to replacing the control knob console portion? I can’t seem to get it back in and I don’t want to force it.

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Check out my latest W166 DIY Interior Repairs Video (towards the end I talk about the media selection tool/knob), it might answer your question.

[@edwarderoukov5236]

So, if I'm not too late, I have two questions. First: where did you buy the latch, or in general, what sites would you recommend for buying such small parts? Because all I was able to find was sites where I can buy the whole central console as one piece. Second, if I want to replace/repair just a rear AC vent, I do not need to remove the console, do I?

[@OneStopShopGarage]

@@edwarderoukov5236 hey you can find replacement Armrest Latch sets on both eBay and Amazon. Was able to find them by just simply searching W166 Replacement Armrest Latch. To answer your second question, I’d say it’s possible to replace/repair the rear AC vent without the entire removal of the Center Console Assembly, just not so easy to do given the limited space/awkward positioned screws that would need to be removed. Hope this helps. Take care.

[@slavpanayotov5505]

Very helpful

[@edwardadourian3780]

Thank you ,Thank you ,Thank you.

[@darrylfoye1791]

This video is great it's clear and thorough I have a 2015 M L400 with the video entertainment system in the rear and I can't figure out how to get the DVD player out in order to access the screws. Any suggestions please?

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Hey I’m unfortunately not sure as to how to gain access to the screws that you’re needing to remove, I don’t have the premium entertainment system with the dvd player, so I do apologize for not having any helpful suggestions. Maybe try searching for removal directions on a w166 forum. Sorry I couldn’t be of much help. Hope you get it figured out.

[@Fluffytigerb]

There is one extra step, you have to access the 2 screws hidden under the DVD bezel that goes around where the DVD is inserted (think like a picture frame). You'll have to slide out the player out to access the lower two screws behind it to remove the AC vents. I didn't need to unplug the player, sliding it forward gave me enough access. 👍

[@molove4029]

Thank you

[@jasonfamoori5246]

THANK YOU!

[@jesusgarnica5377]

Hey thank you for your video! This was super helpful, but I was wondering, where did you purchase the center console latch?

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Good to hear you found the video to be helpful. I purchased the replacement armrest latch set on eBay.

[@tangtoni]

5:27, how did you push?

[@OneStopShopGarage]

Wedged the tip of a flathead screwdriver in there and applied upward pressure on it by pushing downward on the handle of the screwdriver.