Door Check Strap W123 - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Graham · #1 08-19-2013, 05:41 PM

Actually, it looks like part 11 in this pic may be the part. What we were hoping to find, was some dimensions so we would know where to drill holes. I was thinking of leaving the spot welds intact and adding a S/S rivet or machine screw on each side. But may end up just drilling the welds out one at a time and rivetting. I see quite a bit of movement, so should do something before it gets worse.

PS: Did you have a good trip to Blighty?

item 5 in this pic (from MB South Atlanta)

Stretch · #2 08-19-2013, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

Actually, it looks like part 11 in this pic may be the part. What we were hoping to find, was some dimensions so we would know where to drill holes. I was thinking of leaving the spot welds intact and adding a S/S rivet or machine screw on each side. But may end up just drilling the welds out one at a time and rivetting. I see quite a bit of movement, so should do something before it gets worse.

PS: Did you have a good trip to Blighty?

...

If you want some dimensions I might be able to measure something on my car - I'll have a look at it tomorrow if it isn't raining.

For replacement fixing I'd go the riv-nut route they can be super strong - stronger than spot welds and they splay out like a solid rivet as they are tightened so they won't wiggle loose like bolts and nuts.

The descriptions in EPC are sometimes confusing. It might be the correct part after all...

...the only way to tell is to order one I guess.

######

England was great. My Mum got her wish; seven grand children all in one room at once! (I'm only responsible for three of them - just so you know)

Deepest darkest Herefordshire was great - no mobile phone signal and virtually no internet => I had some real time off.

Graham · #3 08-19-2013, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

If you want some dimensions I might be able to measure something on my car - I'll have a look at it tomorrow if it isn't raining.

If you have the inner lining off, you may be able to look inside the front door pillar - There are one or two holes. I had my interior put back together before I noticed the loose bracket. Don't cut your car apart as Vstech said he would!

Have a look at the front pillar where the strap hing attaches - we have to work from outside. Not sure how riv-nuts could be installed in inner bracket when working from outside?

Others have used conventional pop-rivets, self threading bolts, or have drilled and tapped. I have a lot of experience with pop rivets in marine use. In time I think, given the stress, even S/S rivets may loosen (but won't fall off). Drilling and tapping into inner bracket, as others have done, may work best.

My concern, is just where those spot/plug welds are (On a W123) and if there is enough meat in those locations to accept a thread.

PS: Glad to hear you had a good trip.

DDAY · #4 11-17-2013, 09:55 PM

I had this problem on my 1983 W126 several years ago. The metal around the spot welds failed on the A pillar (driver's door). My mechanic tried to re-weld from the outside --- that worked for a few weeks and the A pillar metal failed again. I took the car back to the mechanic and asked him to repair it again. He told me to take the car to a welding shop. The welding shop welded the portion of the bracket that extends through the A pillar to the A pillar with filet type weld beads. They extended the weld metal out onto the surface of the A pillar metal for about 1/2" all around to spread the load from the door strap. This repair has worked well for several years.

I gave this car to one of our sons last spring when I bought a 2008 E320 Bluetec.

Graham · #5 11-18-2013, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDAY

I had this problem on my 1983 W126 several years ago. The metal around the spot welds failed on the A pillar (driver's door). My mechanic tried to re-weld from the outside --- that worked for a few weeks and the A pillar metal failed again. I took the car back to the mechanic and asked him to repair it again. He told me to take the car to a welding shop. The welding shop welded the portion of the bracket that extends through the A pillar to the A pillar with filet type weld beads. They extended the weld metal out onto the surface of the A pillar metal for about 1/2" all around to spread the load from the door strap. This repair has worked well for several years.

I gave this car to one of our sons last spring when I bought a 2008 E320 Bluetec.

I could see that working too.

In my case, with nothing yet broken, but paint cracked around two spot welds I think I can drill and tap through those original spot weld holes. The picture really helped in determining just how much metal there is to tap into.

Another option would be to use pop-rivets. 3/16" or 1/4". I will probably use washers or perhaps make an external cover plate so that the A=pillar is sandwiched and doesn't take full load.

Stretch · #6 08-25-2013, 01:42 AM

Drat!

That hole isn't the sun roof drain at all! I'll change the picture. It is used for wiring for the electric stuff in the door.

The sun roof stuff I've posted here =>

destination of rubber sunroof drain tube - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

Sorry about the temporary glitch

Graham · #7 08-25-2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

Drat!

That hole isn't the sun roof drain at all! I'll change the picture. It is used for wiring for the electric stuff in the door.

Sorry about the temporary glitch

I looked in area behind the fender attachment screws and just above the wiring hole. Hard to see in there with door on, but don't see any hole where you have one. Maybe the 85 is different?

Stretch · #8 08-25-2013, 01:38 PM

Now I'm confused again - which hole? (Can you copy a picture and stick on your own arrow if need be?)

Graham · #9 08-25-2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

Now I'm confused again - which hole? (Can you copy a picture and stick on your own arrow if need be?)

Sorry - using tablet so limited editing ability. I was talking about the hole that you show the drain tube exiting from.

But not to worry. I poured some water into the sunroof and it came right out at the back of the fender.

Stretch · #10 08-26-2013, 03:36 AM

I'm still confused. The first picture I posted in post #19 has been updated / corrected. If you want to see sun roof drain holes go to the BW thread (linked above)...

...but I get the feeling perhaps you're all good now?

Graham · #11 08-26-2013, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

I'm still confused. The first picture I posted in post #19 has been updated / corrected. If you want to see sun roof drain holes go to the BW thread (linked above)...

...but I get the feeling perhaps you're all good now?

Well, I am good in that water came out on outside of door frame rather than out of rocker plug holes (which are still open) or on interior carpets!

The hole/tube I was talking about that I could not see is the one you show the tube coming out of here:

Can you see the interior door strap bracket through the larger electrical hole in the frame? Does it look like the W126 one I posted at beginning of this thread? I imaging it would be hard to get a picture.

Stretch · #12 08-26-2013, 03:01 PM

It is a bit difficult to see in there - especially with bright sunlight outside - I'm not used to it here!

I tried to take some pictures of the inside but my point and shoot camera kept on concentrating on other things. You can feel it if you stick your finger in either hole (be it inside or out) and to me it feels like the picture you posted => this could be in the realms of fantasy though - best you have a good old grope for yourself.

Graham · #13 08-26-2013, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

best you have a good old grope for yourself.

Unfortunately, I am past the groping stage!

I did try to look through the inside hole before I closed things up, using a borescope. But the head on it was too big, so could not get it aligned with the bracket. I could see what looked like a strap heading for that weld on the inside of the frame.

VSTech is our man, if only he would check in. He says he cuts these cars apart!

I have decided to put in two 3/16 S/S rivets using the weld holes. Have to finish this 300D job someday soon!

Stretch · #14 08-26-2013, 04:15 PM

You may have noticed that vstech's Dad is in hospital at the moment (thread here in DD) - I'm guessing he's a bit busy at the moment. But a PM probably won't hurt.

Graham · #15 11-17-2013, 05:28 PM

There was a post in the Bodywork forum about same subject. It has a good picture of the internal bracket.

Don't know why they drilled the three holes on line with center of hinge bracket. Drilling out and using the original holes seems to make more sense.

First link

Link to German thread