Bootlid brake light on C209 CLK

[Brent Chiswick]

On Saturday I discovered the red lens for the bootlid brake light laying on the floor behind the car and after looking at how it is fixed, saw it has broken away from the plastic light strip it was glued to, that is positioned behind the bootlid skin. I've owned the car from new (in May 2007) and it hasn't been involved in a shunt, but the red plastic lens looks and feels very brittle, almost as though it's been affected by UV.

What do people think the chances are of Mercedes contributing to the cost of replacement, given it is now 4 1/2 years old? I realise it is out of warranty, but it doesn't seem to have lasted anywhere near long enough to me.

[mbtech01]

personally i don't think you stand a chance ! I know people who have tried to have repairs carried out on there vehicle only a few weeks after the warranty expired & Mercedes refused to pay.
The 3rd brake light is prone to break on your vehicle as if you look closely even when the new one is fitted the lens sits slightly proud of the recess in the boot lid & can easily be caught when closing the boot etc. It only takes a couple of cold winters & hard frosts & the plastic lens becomes brittle & the slightest knock will cause it to fracture or break. I've seen it many times. Unfortunately i think your just going to have to accept its broken & pay for a new one. Its easy to change - just open the boot, remove the boot lid trim panel by removing the pulling the center out of each reatining clip & then unbolt the two 10mm nuts & remove/refit the lamp assembley being careful not to overtighten the two 10mm nuts when refitting the lamp or otherwise you will crack the new lens.

[Brent Chiswick]

Hmmm, thought that might be the case. I took the bootlid lining off last night and I can see how it is fitted on. In the first instance I might have a go at fixing the lens back on the light strip with a continuous fillet of Araldite and then refix the assembly back in once it has cured overnight.

Got nothing to lose by trying that I would think. Seems a shame to throw away an otherwise perfectly good brake light.

[cafehag2001]

I had a brand new CLK in 2006 and the brake light broke twice within two years, happily replaced under warranty. Dealer told me it was a very common problem.

[mbtech01]

It was a common problem & Mercedes were supposed to have revised & modified 3rd brake light assembly but you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference !

[Brent Chiswick]

Well I've cleaned up the mating surfaces, glued the lens back to the light strip with a continuous fillet of Araldite and refitted the repaired assembly this morning. All seems well for now, but I guess only time will tell if the repair is successful, so fingers crossed it will work. Has saved me a few quid for now anyhow.