Are there any DIY's out there for replacing the chrome inner door open lever. Drivers side / Front door. Do I also need to remove the door panel?
Also, how do I remove the lever trim piece. I'm not sure where to pry first. Last time I tried on the right rear I broke the outer trim piece.

Thanks in advance....Rob

Rob --- please update your profile with you location.

I don't think it is possible without removing the door panel.

Anyway, on a 300SDL, to remove the door panel:
1) There's a piece of trim that sits on top of the door panel at the back of the door panel near the lock push down button and runs to the top of the door --- you have to remove this first. Open the door, there's a screw on the back edge of the door about 1/4th of the way down from the top. Undo the screw, then the trim will swing away at the top toward the front and lift out.
2) Unscrew the door push down button.
3) "Open" the inside handle and pry out the black plastice inset behind it. If you pry along the back edge, any mark you make will not be visible.
4) Unscrew the 3 screws holding the door arm rest --- look underneath the door arm rest and you will see 2; the 3rd screw is behind the black plastic inset you removed in step #3.
5) Look at bottom center edge of door panel --- sometimes a screw gets placed here to hold the door panel on......
6) At this point, I think the door panel pops out about 1/4 of an inch with the use of a wide drywall blade and then lifts straight up. You probably should have removed the puddle light at the bottom of the door before doing this step......my memory is fading....

There are 5 or 6 hangers that "HANG" the door panel --- be careful....you do NOT want to break ANY of these hangers.

Good Luck.

__________________
daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

It's not too hard. I think there's some writeup on it in the archives, but I replaced mine (without removing door panel) and it was quite simple. And if I think it's simple, then it's simple.

__________________
John Schroader
bio burnin' 83 300D, '83 300 SD, '79 240D
"I've never met a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else" Ben Franklin
"You cannot permanently help a man by doing for him what he could and should do for himself" Abraham Lincoln

Hey John,

Mind giving me some tips on removing the trim, removing the handle from the "latch rod?"

Thanks, Rob

Rob, to fully recall how it's done (on a SD) I'd have to get dressed and go out into the dark carport in mid teen temps. I can do that tomorrow. But the best I can recall, you remove a phillips screw that sits in the cupped out part. When its loose then you can pull the entire assembly out a little. Then you can slip the trim assembly off the mechanismThen you can push the pin the holds the lever out of its position and the whole thing will slip off. That's how I recall it (been several months). I do know that I took mine off a couple of times and found it to be pretty straightforward. First time I took it off I clamped on a pair of small vice grips to operate the mechanism. Shortly thereafter I realized that replacement parts were available and affordable. So I ordered mine and replaced it. My wife was happy to see the vice grips gone. I'll see if I can find the info in the archives. If this doesn't help, pm me and I'll snap some photos.

__________________
John Schroader
bio burnin' 83 300D, '83 300 SD, '79 240D
"I've never met a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else" Ben Franklin
"You cannot permanently help a man by doing for him what he could and should do for himself" Abraham Lincoln

Thanks John! I look forward to your next instructions! Stay warm!!!

Rob, went out and looked at my wife's SD. And yep, I forgot to explain the trim removal. Check your PMs.

__________________
John Schroader
bio burnin' 83 300D, '83 300 SD, '79 240D
"I've never met a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else" Ben Franklin
"You cannot permanently help a man by doing for him what he could and should do for himself" Abraham Lincoln