PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

Squiggle Dog · #**295** 12-22-2012, 04:15 PM

I've been having problems with opening and closing my doors. Usually Mercedes have flawless door operation, but after 314,000 miles of use the parts wear out. The driver front door required several slams before it would shut and occasionally it would pop open while driving. The driver rear door would not open with the outside door handle even after replacing the door mechanism before and adjusting the door handle bite. The passenger front and rear doors were very loud when shutting. I decided enough was enough.

Back when I was living in Washington, there was a time when there were about 5 W116s at the PickNPull. One of the W116s was a 1979 450SEL with under 100,000 miles. I removed all of the door mechanisms and strikers.

I already had the door panels off when I got home from my trip to get the parts from my old house, so I opened up the box with the door parts and started to replace them. The outside door handles come off with two 5mm hex key screws under a plug, then you slide the handles forward and pull them out. The screws holding the door mechanisms get really stuck, so I take a bit that fits into them perfectly and hammer them in a few times with a sledge to get them to loosen up. Then, I put an 8mm socket over the bit and while pushing down I get them to break free. Usually this is the only way to loosen them without ruining the heads.

After soaking the door mechanisms in diesel, I hosed them off and let them dry. Once dry, I used an oil can to lubricate the pivoting parts. Automatic transmission fluid works well. I also sprayed some wax on them and then put grease on the sliding parts. Any missing or damaged springs were replaced.

The original part is on the left and the replacement part is on the right. The old parts were corroded and had missing or worn out springs.