Finally took a coat hanger, cut in half, bent two ends & removed the instrument cluster to change dash lights. Easiest thing I've
done on this car ('83 300SD)! Had purchased bulbs in sockets so took 5 minutes. Would have done much sooner if I had realized it was so easy.

Wasn't so lucky changing driver's side door handle. Replaced handle. Replaced steel plate. Replaced plastic plate. Couldn't get electric switch plate & door plate aligned properly & snapped off tiny pin that controls seat back on electric seat switch so now I have to buy new electric seat switch?

Is there some secret to front door removal & installation that I'm missing?

Finesse with controlled force and a lot of luck is what works on our old door panels.

I broke the same pin on my switch years ago. I took a 2d common nail and cut the head off and cut to proper length and superglued it to place. If I remember right, I really dry-fit it a bit so as to not glue an area that needed freedom of movement. It's still there, many panel removals later.
1984 300SD FWIW.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Thanks! I'll give that a try.

Out of 4 windows, the driver's one is the only one that works. I bought a new window switch for the right front & I get a motor noise from the right back but nothing from the right front.

Have checked fuses. Right door gets power to bottom light.

It looks like I've got 3 more door panels to pull & at least one window motor to buy for the front. I think maybe the two back windows are just not on the track (?)

I'm really going to watch that pin on the right side!