A few hours ago someone broke into my car(1979 300d). It looks like they stuck a screwdriver between the rain gutters and top of the door and pried on it. I'm not sure why as I think the car was unlocked... They also couldn't figure out how to open the unlocked glove box so they used a screwdriver cracking my previously uncracked dash and wrecking the glovebox door. The passenger side door is the main problem though. The top of the door now seems to be bent out slightly and doesn't seal all the way. Any one have an ideas on how to fix this or adjust the door so it seals tighter?

Is the door "bowed" or "kinked"

If it is just bowed out, you may be able to put the window down and bow it back. If it is kinked........body shop.

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

If the door is bent you may be able to bend it back. Or you may be able to adjust the hinges so that is seals with the bend in it if the bend is not too much.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

with the window down, sometimes you can block the door on the jamb and have someone hold the bottom edge, block of wood in the center below where the bend is, and you push on the top. This works well on flimsy classic euro imports. Not sure you'll have any luck with the stout benz's.

Wow, thats pretty crappy dude. I feel bad for you, an uncracked dash is really something beautiful. Keep your eyes out at the junkyards, you might stumble across one

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

pictures?

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

might have to get a new door if the body shop cant straighten it properly

Same thing happened to me about fifteen years ago. The top of the driver's door was bent out about 30°. I figured I didn't have anything to lose by trying to bend it back into place myself. Seemed to work and has been fine for fifteen years.

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Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

EK,
I just removed a window motor and window from a door today. The door seem very light weight now. Maybe you should try the window down technique I mentioned above. It appears that a lot of the weight in the door is the window, window motor and assembly, and inner door panel. You might be able to straighten your door quite easily.
mike

Are you in california? I have a perfectly straight door you can have. Otherwise its just going to be hauled away with the car to the landfills or whatever

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

The door is just bowed a bit. The rear top of the window sticks out about 1cm further than the front of the rear door so it is just enough to cause it not to seal. I'll try bending it back as suggested and I hope it works. I guess this will be a good time to rebuild my window switch too as the window only likes to go down and not up... I'll give this a try in the next few days. The dash actually irritates me a lot more than the door as there is no fixing that without replacing it. It is just a small smashed/cracked area, but I can't help but notice it every time I get in the car.

I saw a sketchy looking guy who I'd guess was the thief walk by me as I was working by where I was parked. A pair of sunglasses was stolen so I'm hoping I see this same guy walking around in my sunglasses... unlikely but you never know.

Here's a picture of the car without bent doors - I don't have any of the damage yet.


Also, I'm in Vancouver BC, but I really appreciate the free door offer.

If money isnt a concern you can get a new dash from the classic center. Im sure they will charge an incredibly large amount.

http://www.dashboardrestorations.com/

http://www.screamingspg.com/interior/interior_dashboard.html


After reading that last article I think I will do that for my car if my blue dash ever cracks (inevitable) and I will do it to my 300sd Im trying to restore. 500 bucks is pretty cheap! A crackless dash does so much for a car its worth the money. I remember hearing somewhere that a dash from the classic center will run you about 1500 bucks. Pretty steep.

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

File an insurance claim. Let a body shop figure it out.

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

Just don't show them the cost of a new dash or they will total the car.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Well the bent door isn't a problem anymore because I got in an accident today and I'm assuming the car is totaled(got the hood, radiator, all the front lights, bumper, probably more). Anyone need a parts car around Vancouver BC?