Door thunk on 280SL

[desert]

Here's an easy one (I hope). When I open or close the drivers side door on my 85 280SL Euro it makes a loud thunk thunk thunk, mostly when I open it. The passenger side door is much much quieter. I have greased the three ridges on the arm that goes into the door frame and I have squirted some lubricant into the opening in the door frame but it is still very loud. I don't want to remove the door cover unless I have to mainly because I have never done it before. Any ideas what is causing this problem and possible solutions? Thanks, Desert...

[abiby]

I've thunk and thunk and thunk and can't come up with an answer.


Sorry, no real answer but I couldn't help myself.

[rowdie]

Check your hinges and door stop. Check the door latch mount and the eye on the door jamb. This would pretty much eliminate external causes.

[RadioTek]

Is it sort of a twanging thump thump thump? I have that on my passenger door, and heard of that being due to an end of a brace that has broken loose. It is said to require professional attention to get it welded properly.

That said, removing the door cover to look for a much more easily repairable cause isn't a terribly difficult job. Remove the screws from the trim pieces, map pocket, and armrest pad, then the large screw from the arm rest support. Pull the bottom and side edges of the cover straight away from the door to free the plastic fasteners. Then pull the cover upward, to free the armrest and the upper edge. There's probably a Youtube video somewhere, or you could go to The Other Forum and check there. Some of the guys there are very good at writing clear instructions.

Good Luck,
Scott

[desert]

Thanks for the input. It is a solid thunk sound not twangy and must come from those ridges on the arm that goes into the door frame so the problem must be internal. Don't know if I'll attempt tp pull the door cover myself or call around to some indi MB shops and see if they are familiar with the problem. I'm sure all of them have had to pull door covers many times to get at power window parts.

[mespe]

Is it coming from the front of the door? Most likely the door check, the roller gets off center and wears out unevenly and eventually breaks jamming a piece, so that when ever you open or close the door at it's "Special" place it will thunk.

[Deltacom]

As other members have mentioned, removing the door cover is not difficult and will allow you to inspect the door-check mechanism for any defective components, specially the rollers.

[desert]

Thanks for the latest input. Yes, it seems to be coming from the front of the door and must be related to the ridges on the arm that goes into the door since it "thunks" as each ridge goes into the door every time. Before taking off the door panel can I reach the roller unit for inspection or lubing by just removing the chrome piece that covers the top of the panel toward the front of the door?
I'm kinda surprised if it's a bad roller unit since the car only has 65K on it and is a grarage car in Arizona so it gets very little rain that could have gone down into the door but who knows, it is 27 years old. If it is this unit (as shown) are they avalable and if so where?
As for Abiby's input I thunk you are on the right track so thunk you very much....Desert

[Deltacom]

If it is this unit (as shown) are they available and if so where?

They are available here at Fastlane but I would thoroughly lubricate the mechanism first before replacing

[rowdie]

They are available other places for a whole lot less $$$$$

[Deltacom]

Here is video on how to remove the door panel. Mercedes Benz SL 107 R Door pannel check As Radiotek mentions there is a screw under the arm rest to consider which is not shown on the video. Hope it helps.

[desert]

Thanks all...My jaw dropped when I saw the Fastlane price but if necessary to replace it I'll shop around. The video is very helpful so will give it a try.....Thanks Desert

[desert]

Forgot to ask one thing. Any tips how to lube the door check mechanism WITHOUT taking the door panel off?....... Thanks Desert