The rear drivers side door only opens half way... Is this a door check strap problem or something else...

Probably a check strap issue I would think. I'd remove it before it locks in the open position.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

123 usually fail in the "floppy" style, while as noted 126 fails in "gah!" style. Soon you will be sad . . .

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James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

is there a good method of replacing this check strap.... it looks pretty labor intensive

The w126 should be the same as the W123, done a few of those.

Remove the arm rest and trim pieces etc... the pull the door panel off. the 126 panel lifts up. there are some "J" hooks that have to be lifted out of the holes they live in. might be a wire to the window switch and a wire to a light attached to the panel. There is one trim piece that will be on the left side, sits on the door panel and curves up the 1/2 window. look on the door edge next to the rubber door seal, and there is 2 small phillip heads. this piece has to come off the remove the door panel.

Pull back the vapor barier, (plastic sheeting) on the lower corner where the Door Check is mounted. you will need to remove the pin that holds the strap to the body, remove the clip from the bottom of the pin. I use a brass drift to tap the pin up with a hammer. the grab it with a pair of dykes enough to hold it, and tap on the head of the Dykes and the pin will come out. there is a plastic spacer on the pin, careful you don`t loose it.

There are 2 10mm bolts that secure the check to the door. 2 on the edge of the door and one facing you on the flat panel. once removed reach inside the door and pull it out.

might want to put some masking tape inder the Pin, so you don`t accidently ding up the paint driving out the pin with your hammer.

This shouldn`t take you longer than 20 min.

Hope this helps.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Sounds right. I did mine without completely removing the trim panel. Just loosened it and reached up under it.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

the 126's door panel popps out at the bottom, and you can reach in to remove the bolts holding in the strap.
DO THIS NOW BEFORE YOU DAMAGE THE DOORJAM AND OR THE DOOR!!!

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

sweet thanks.. i will order the new one today and do it asap.... thanks for the detailed how to also

I will add...

Do not operate the door again until you replace it. I had my LR door on the SDL stick open! Luckily I had just arrived home.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

fixed the door a few days ago with a new meyle unit... Worked very well came pre greased and i reused the plastic spacing bushing on the hinge.... makes no noise now and opens all the way... only took around 15 minutes to do..and cost 30 bucks

This seems to be common on all the MB's of the 80's, iv'e had the same issues in the past with my 201 and my 124. Very annoying!!!!!!!!

__________________
Live simply so others can simply live



07 E350 sport Wife's Daily
01 E320 sport My Daily
00 C230 Kompressor Our back up (new Arrival)

87 300D Turbo my Daily for 8 yrs. Selling to neighbor

82 GMC Jimmy (K5) 6.2 Diesel (my Wheeler)
73 Roadrunner 340ci My very first car, still own it

I would change them all or you will be doing it sequentially. Repairing a vehicle at one's convenience is always preferable to needing it done before you can drive it.

Lube the tracks of the window regulator while you have it open.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Can you not just grease a check strap to prolong its life if you catch it before it gets dry and stiff?

__________________
85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale**
84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds
00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold)
15 Subaru Outback 43K
11 Subaru Outback 67K
98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now.
30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60

Looks like there is 2 ball bearings attached to the end of the strap part that slide in the track and pop into the recesses. I have looked at some I replaced and wondered if it was drilled in the center of the strap and a zerk installed, if grase could be pumped in. then a plug screwed in afterwards.

I have greased up the tracks to see if it would make them work. but i think the problem is the balls where they retrack into the center of the strap part.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Perhaps.

The 1st began to stick on my SD. I replaced it because of the frequent posts on this forum. The 2nd followed soon after the 1st. I changed all remaining and hope to get another 20 years out of them.

I'll buy another set then.....if diesel is still available and no one has crashed into my car.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.