Rear liftgate will not open - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ejeep01 · #1 07-27-2007, 12:03 AM

New to this forum, it seems to be loaded with good people and information. I just bought an 82 300td that was lightly hit in the liftgate. The door is jammed or the pushbutton is broken and will not open. The tricky part is that I bought it online and will have to fly down to get it. I will be taking a load of tools and I am wondering if anyone knows how easy it is to gain access to the liftgate latch from the inside. I will be bringing a replacement liftgate back and it would be nice to be able to put it inside. Also, since I have a 13 hour drive ahead of me, any recommendations on what spare parts and tools I should bring? I am a BMW technician so wierd german is my specialty.

pizzachef · #2 07-27-2007, 08:38 AM

You can lay the rear seats down flat and get to the rear hatch handle easily, however mine won't release the door for some reason. I never have to open it from the inside, so I've never worried about it. But if I couldn't open it from the outside, I don't know what I'd do.

I have replaced the rear hatch as well, and that was fairly easy, you just need a socket wrench...I think 13mm. Getting the pins out of the struts can be tricky, also if the struts don't hold the door up anymore, that would be a primo time to change them.

When I travelled, I just had some screwdrivers, a few sockets and wrenches, and an extra bit of fuel hose. And some extra fuel filters.

Good luck.
-Geoff

Chad300tdt · #3 07-27-2007, 08:42 AM

You should be able to open it from the inside unless it is crushed too hard. If you take the inside handle and trim cup off (med. philips screwdriver)you can see inside the hatch door. You should be able to get it to open though there if nothing else works.

Good luck.

If you are flying there and driving back, I would bring fuel filters and change them before getting on the road. Unless the PO did them already.

Biodiesel300TD · #4 07-27-2007, 11:10 AM

There is a handle on the inside, but they are pretty commonly broken. If you remove the little plastic cover you can get to the mechanism itself. You should be able to release the lock there. But if the door is crushed shut from the accident it's going to be really hard to open.

vstech · #5 07-27-2007, 12:20 PM

if it's damaged slightly, I would NOT open it before getting the car home... bungie cords holding a door closed on the highway is OK on a civic or an escort, not a benz...
asses the sitch and get it home to fix it.

Ejeep01 · #6 07-27-2007, 11:53 PM

Thanks for the info. If I can access the latch mechanism behind the inner door handle trim that will be great. If the old hatch will not close after I get it open then I will just install the replacement right then and cart the old one home for parts. I am also going to try and fix the cruise before I hit the road, using some of the links I have found on this forum. Wish me luck

t walgamuth · #7 07-28-2007, 06:53 AM

I guess you could also lash it on the roof in a pinch.

If it were me I would drive down with my truck and trailer and haul it back.

some biocide for the fuel might be a good idea too.

If you are willing to change it anyway you May be able to cut a hole in the outer skin too if getting it open from the inside does not work.

Tom W

JimmyL · #8 07-28-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

if it's damaged slightly, I would NOT open it before getting the car home...

If I were you I would heed this advice. You can lay the rear seats down, and put your stuff in from that way. There is really no reason to open it before you get home, but there is a good reason NOT to......