ml door loose panel problem
 

The drivers side door panel keeps popping loose at the bottom and side. Doesn't take much to make it loose---like shutting/slamming the door will do it.
You can hit it and goes back in place till next time you shut the door. There are little white plastic things that go in the door frame that are pointed with little grooves that also fit into slots on the door panel. Thats what holds it on. You can't pop it back into place to where it gets back tight. I dont know if the clips may be 2 parts to where you put/tap one part in to the metal door frame and clip the other on the door panel ---then snap it back into place? Or if you need new clips once they are pulled out. Ever what i'm doing is not working so any advice will be appreciated. I know this is probably simple but it's got me. I don't want to do more harm by just guessing. Thanks

left this off ----it's a ML320, 2003

you need new clips, they are two piece, once installed the base stays in the door.

Maybe my 99 ml 430 is different, but mine are held on with one piece clips that are slightly greenish, but still basically white plastic. You pop the door panel off, slide new clips into the panel, and then you line up the points on the clips with the holes in the steel door frame, and give the panel a good firm smack over each clip. That sets them in. To replace the clips you really need to totally remove the panel. Oh, and when you do that, you may break off a few more clips, so if you go to the parts store first, buy a few more than you need.

There are instructions on the site on getting the panel off, it takes all of about 2 minutes, tops.

yes, thats the old style.

I kept having the same problem so i predrilled a small hole in the bottom corner, put in a self tapped screw with tha same coler head and no more problems.

I kept having the same problem so i predrilled a small hole in the bottom corner, put in a self tapped screw with tha same coler head and no more problems.

thanks for the advice. I went to the parts dept at MB and got new clips. cost was 3.75 ea. i used needle nose vice gripes and removed the old clips and slipped in the new ones in the slots. then hit the panel at each clip spot to set them into the door frame. took about 5 minutes total----i took my time. I couldve used the old clips by spreading the tabs out but hey they cost 3.75. Plus the old might not have held. I didnt remove the panel, no need to in my case. But in some u would if you cant reach the clips with the needle nose's.