A Fender Question on Sedans
 

Would body fender panels (front) work from a Gas Sedan to a Diesel sedan (300SD)

As long at the chassis number is the same - ie, w126, w116, etc....

Spiffy

Another Question before I go pull some parts. Are the Fenders Spot welded in or are they just bolted on? I've seen some are and some that are not...

I think just bolted on, no glue either.

Sweet, that would make my life a little easier

Hmmm
 

Some vehicles suffer from excess rubber undercoat in the fender mating area = worse than glue.

The issue is random, humans where still doing the final coating for all W123 and W126.
Newer chassis where done by robot.




Have a great day.

so it would be wise to bring along a Razor knife?

Yes
 

A couple of pry bars, one inch flat wood chisel, hammer, and a helper.. :)

Damage the body, not the fender.. :o

The rear and top must be free, before the front will come off = it tilts up and slides forward a bit.

Thanks!

It's my experience, and others as well, that no car after 1981 had the undercoating attaching the fenders. 1981 and before, however, plan on a LONG afternoon removing that guy.

Note
 

After you have done a few hundred of these, you will agree with post #7.

The issue is random from 1981 - 1991, when the W126 ended production.

Just prior to the "OFFICIAL 3rd Annual Shop Forum GTG and Tech Session (TX, OK, LA, AR)" I scrapped a 1983 300SD, transferring the front fenders to an 1982 300SD.
The 1983 Right fender was stuck in place by the rubber coating.
The 1982 Left fender was stuck in place by the rubber coating.

OK, thanks, I'll believe you. I guess my experience is only with the W123.
I love the fact that they rubber coated these to some extent, but they didn't save their dealerships any time on body repairs, let alone the rest of us, by vulcanizing it all together-

boy is this ever the truth, I was glad to find this thread, because I have never had so much trouble as I did today getting a fender off my 80 240. This makes me feel a little better that I might find a fender thats a little less tenacious for replacement. The undercoating was more than an inch thick in places, and the worse part was that it was up and under the bolt mating surface. It was impossible to cut the adhesive in that area.

The fender was junk, so I actually cut the whole darn thing off near the seam, and it STILL took me forever to bend what was left way up and pull it off inch by inch. It was very discouraging.

some pics after I got it off.

what will really blow your mind, the 85 I yanked parts from and the 84 I was going to put parts ON to, neither fender was held in place by rubberized material