trunk net

[jano]

I got the trunk net part Jim introduced, but I was not able to install it because the parts it comes with do not fit into the plugs. There are two t-anchors, one that takes a double-sided screw stud and the other that takes what looks like a wood screw. The double-sided screw stud will screw into the hole, but the other screw is just too skinny.

To install this properly will require a nut from the inside of the trim or body to hold the screw in place...

Or am I overthinking this? I can take pictures if it helps clarify this...

By the way, this net stretches across the opening of the very "front" of the trunk (where the latch is). Not sure I like it there, was hoping for it to fit in the side, but, I'll take what I can get, it'll be nice to have :)

[gsxr]

Does it look like it may work, if we source different hardware...?

[FunfHundertE]

On mine, I just screwed the fat plastic screw into the hole left by the plug.

I'll have to open the news ones I just got to see if the hardware are different, but I bet they used a different vendor on these new ones and the hardware is slightly different (?) if you are having difficulty.

For me , it was literally a minute install at most to install the screws and mount the net. I think if you made a small drill hole elsewhere in the plastic and threaded in the t-hangers if it can't work out where I described mine as working.

MB does sell the nets that span the entire trunk bottom if that is what you want...but they have them for the newer models with the d-rings built in. No way to mount one w/o mounting (ie drilling in) your own d-rings in a W124.

Dave will post pix I'm sure when he gets his. My 500E is in storage but I guess I can go out in the cold garage and snap a pix or 2.

[jano]

Well, time for ya'll to laugh at me

Attached some pictures here, and to let you know I failed installation again this morning, but figured it out!

1. These are the little clips that hold the plastic trim onto the front of the trunk/boot. The top one pushes into the bottom one.

2. This is the first t-anchor - a two-sided stud screws into it, which has already been done. If you leave the bottom clip from pic #1 in, the fat screw will actually screw in pretty snuggly so it's good to go (yes, I've heard this before )

3. This is the problem t-anchor. It comes with what looks like a sheet metal screw that you stick in from the top and supposed to screw into.. well.. it doesn't fit anything, too small.

4. These are rubber "spacers" that come with the kit.

5. This is my solution - a machine screw just slightly longer than the screw in #3. I thought I'd be fancy and get a nylon lock nut (first mistake). I spent an hour at the hardware store going through screws and paid $0.35 for this. Sadly, the top is silver, so at some point I would paint the top black.

6. The edge of the trunk above the rear light has room to stick a skinny wrench in. So this is how I planned to hold onto the nut for screwing. Mistake #2.

Here's where you can laugh Nylon lock nut was a STUPID idea. I was able to get the machine screw to thread into the nut, but then once it got in, I couldn't get the wrench out because I used the wrong end. When I tried to unscrew, everything was stuck. I just yanked on the t-anchor and it pulled right through the body and trim without any damage THANK GOODNESS!! I'm going to pickup a regular washer and nut tonight, and use the correct end of the wrench this time.

Anyone have any better ideas?

[gsxr]

Hey, now I won't feel as bad when I can't get it to work either, lol! I might have mine tomorrow... not sure yet. I'm anxious to try this out. Thanks for the photos & info!

[FunfHundertE]

The hardware looks all the same... #2 is the way I did it.

Install is almost as easy as changing a light bulb....not quite, but almost !

[jano]

How did you do the other one, #3? Or did yours come with two #2s?

[FunfHundertE]

2 #2s....

[jano]

I want 2 #2's!

[gsxr]

Maybe yours was missing parts? I'll see what comes with mine...

[jano]

It came with instructions as well as a parts list, and everything was there. I'm just going to install it the way I said above, pulling out both little plastic pieces from the trim and using a screw with nut. This time, it'll be a regular nut instead of a nylon one, and I'll use the other end of the wrench so it doesn't get stuck. :)

[jano]

Got it! Went to Ace Hardware in HB last night on my way home - and they had a huge selection of various screws, nuts, washers, bolts more so than the one in SJC. They had one little drawer with license plate stuff, and inside was this plastic piece that accepted the original skinny screw of #3 above, and appeared very similar to the bottom thing from item #1 above.

All I had to do was trim it to size, pop it in, and walla. Total cutting and installation time about 5 minutes!

The only thing is that I couldn't use the spacer from #4, the screw wasn't long enough to catch into the plastic thingy.



(edit - why is it rotating images 2 and 3 here to the side? How strange.)

[Bob G]

I think this is a great idea. what is the part number for the net, do I order it for my mercedes-benz dealer or Rusty collins?

Bob Geco
krwaxbz@yahoo.com

[jano]

Hey Bob! Part number was listed in the thread I mentioned up above, but here it is again :)

Q675 0023

If you get a skinny little screw, you may need to get that plastic piece thingy at your local hardware store that I picked up. Apparently, the nets either ship with two fat screws or one fat and one skinny.

[gsxr]

Installed mine last night. The current nets do come with one fat and one skinny screw, and there's no way to get more of the "fat" setup which would make this a simple install on any 124. I drilled a small (3/32") hole on one side, just below the plastic plug, and put the skinny screw in that hole. Works fine, but not quite plug & play.