1987 300TD wagon hatch door has worked fine until lately. The electric close assist in the hatch door is sounding off, but not pulling the door in tighter. And after investigating the door/frame fit-up I found the door's side plate is cracked (small steel square plate half way up each side of the door, held by 2 screws). I think this could be (part of) the problem. The push button lock-latch had always been pretty hard to push in. And now it's almost too easy. I think it may have been eased by the cracking of that side plate. But I haven't found a 124 parts wagon locally. Can someone help find that part? I'm also wondering what I should be doing to maintain the electric close assist. On a related note, I started by trying to adjust the lock's latch-bar mounted in the floor. 2 big tight screws. Do they require an impact screw driver? Thanks

1987 300TD 386k

There is a W124 wagon at the Oceanside junk yard right now.

Thanks, Jon, I check them tomorrow. Sweet looking set up.