Some idiot dinged my drivers door in the parking lot and put a kink in the metal strip insert on the moulding on the lower half of the skin. The door skin is ok as is the rest of the moulding - what I want to know is: a) whether and how I can remove the insert safely and b) after unkinking it (looks feasible), how to reattach it. It appears as though this piece (which now sticks out ready to catch pant legs/tights/wash brushes) is simply a press fit but experience has taught me body/trim things are seldom as simple as they may appear on these cars...any shared experience or advice would be appreciated!

I have no direct experience with the S-Class lower body cladding, but I suspect that the design is similar to the E-Class cladding. The chrome trim strip is held on by clips accessed from the back of the cladding panel. Therefore, first you must remove the cladding from the door. There should be a philips head screw at the lower edge of the door that secures the panel. Remove the screw, carefully pry the bottom of the panel away from the door to release the series of clips holding the lower edge in place. Once all the bottom clips are free, carefully slide the panel toward the rear of the car to release the top clips from their slots. When the cladding panel is removed you'll see the series of clips that hold the chrome strip in place. Turn them 90 degrees to release the chrome strip. I doubt that you'll be able to straighten it ... better to buy a new one at the dealer or one from a salvage yard. It's also very likely that you'll need to purchase many/all of the 3 different types of clips as they become brittle and break during disassembly.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks Fred, I'll examine, experiment carefully, and report back - the brittle clips sound like a hazard and they're probably not readily available ...Anyway we've just had a 3" snowfall so I won't be getting at it today!

A MB dealer Parts Department can get the clips for you in a day or two if they don't have them in stock ... same for the chrome trim strip.

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Fred Hoelzle

I was able to take a dent out of the stainless strip on my 85 380SE. You will need to remove the plastic piece, then the trim itself. Mine had re-useable clips. If you gently work the dent out from behind, then polish using a spiral buffing wheel and stainless compound, the imperfection is hardly noticeable.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

Thanks, Don. Ever since I've been wanting to get at this the weather has been somewhat hostile and I have to work in the driveway! But it's good to know there is shared experience out there...
When I get into the drivers door I also need to try and identify why my interior couresy light does'nt come on when the door is opened-it works when the passenger door is opened. I'm open for advice as to what to look for - I'm guessing a broken wire.