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-   -   Inner door panel removal -HOW? (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/126516-inner-door-panel-removal-how.html)

tino 06-22-2005 10:31 AM

Inner door panel removal -HOW?
 
1986 300E
The drivers door seems to have a rattle inside - would like to remove the inner door panel but I don't see any screws. Is the whole thing just snap-on? How is the door pull (handle) fastened? Would very much appreciate comments before I start pulling and brake something.

JerryWagner 06-22-2005 10:34 AM

Most of it snaps on, the door handle is fastened on with a 10mm head bolt, remove the other screws and remove the push on tabs and then you have to lift the panel off from the door as it slips on in 2-3 spots, if you have any mechanical experience it's a simple job.

tino 06-22-2005 10:46 AM

Thank you - but where is this 10mm bolt?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryWagner
Most of it snaps on, the door handle is fastened on with a 10mm head bolt, remove the other screws and remove the push on tabs and then you have to lift the panel off from the door as it slips on in 2-3 spots, if you have any mechanical experience it's a simple job.

Thank you for advise - but where abouts is this 10 mm bolt ? On the door panel I can't seem to find any bolts or screws anywhere? Do I first have to un-snap (remove) the door panel?

Chamorro 06-22-2005 11:46 AM

You'll probably have to pull off some plastic trim at the top of the interior door handle to find the bolt.

G-Benz 06-22-2005 05:17 PM

Most interior panels are held in place by upside-down "J" shaped hooks. They require pulling UP, then OUT.

First, you need to remove the panel by the driver's side mirror (if you have one). Again, pull up first, then out.

The inside door release trim is hiding the 10mm bolt others have specified. The trim is in two pieces (you can see the seam) and that can be carefully pried off with a flat bladed screwdriver. You will see the bolt near the door release. Unbolt that.

Also, remove the philips screws that hold the black door latch panel in place.

At this point, you can use the door handle to gain enough force to tug the whole panel up. Once you feel it release, you can then pull out.

Note that there is a speaker harness and a courtesy light harness too. Also a few window sill spring clips might jettison as well. Start hunting for those...

A264172 06-22-2005 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz
Most interior panels are held in place by upside-down "J" shaped hooks. They require pulling UP, then OUT.

First, you need to remove the panel by the driver's side mirror (if you have one). Again, pull up first, then out.

The inside door release trim is hiding the 10mm bolt others have specified. The trim is in two pieces (you can see the seam) and that can be carefully pried off with a flat bladed screwdriver. You will see the bolt near the door release. Unbolt that.

Also, remove the philips screws that hold the black door latch panel in place.

At this point, you can use the door handle to gain enough force to tug the whole panel up. Once you feel it release, you can then pull out.

Note that there is a speaker harness and a courtesy light harness too. Also a few window sill spring clips might jettison as well. Start hunting for those...

What he said...
Also unsrew the door lock
Also take a screwdriver and un hook the conector from the inside door handel by lifting it up out of the plastic socket that it connects to. You will see it behind the said trim.
If your 86' is like my 86' the only wires to disconect are at the bottom of the door to the light there.

Also if you break any of those hooks off the door panel... a good 'wood, metal, plastic,fabric... epoxy will put them back on as good as new.

lkchris 06-22-2005 06:02 PM

The procedure is very nicely described and illustrated in the Service Manual CD.

tino 06-23-2005 10:26 AM

[QUOTE=G-Benz]Most interior panels are held in place by upside-down "J" shaped hooks. They require pulling UP, then OUT.

At this point, you can use the door handle to gain enough force to tug the whole panel up. Once you feel it release, you can then pull out.

QUOTE]
Thank you for detailed info -- but one more question -- is the interior door handle/pull also just fastened by the "J" hooks, with no bolts to hold it in place? The problem I am trying to fix is the rattle I am hearing from the drivers side door panel. There seems to be a bit of play at the door pull and I thought that from repeated use perhaps a bolt loosened.
:( I am a bit disapointed with Mercedes quality - a lot of items just seem to cheaply snap in and I am glad I found this out with my old but well maintained, 1986E before I sprung big $$$$ to buy a newer one. My friend who is a die hard Mercedes owner ( German fellow) has just traded his 1996 for a 2004 and tells me that the quality has gone down hill and that the newer Mercedes are very un-mercedes like with things like flimsy power coffee cup holders etc.

G-Benz 06-23-2005 10:44 AM

I don't recall, but I think it's riveted to the panel.

Forgot to add that you need to obviously unscrew and remove the door lock pull too.

Once you get the panel off, you can see how it's all put together and determine the source of the rattle.

There are tons of threads regarding MB quality, but interestingly enough, the target was for model years beyond '98 or so.

Your car and others of that era are regarded as one of the more solid units!

tino 06-23-2005 11:34 AM

Thank you - a bit of sour grapes on my part.
 
My comment about disapointed with Mercedes quality --- was a bit of sour grapes on my part -- the quality expectation is directly proportional to the price -- thus for the price of a new Mercedes one would expect better quality then say a much less expensive Pontiac.

G-Benz 06-23-2005 11:53 AM

True. But 15, 20 years from now, the Pontiac would look like a candidate for "Pimp My Ride", while the MB would look more like West Coast Customs had completed it! :cool:

dlssmith 06-23-2005 05:18 PM

The arm rest is connected to the panel with plastic rivets from the inside. A couple of mine were broken so I just drilled the rivet partially (enough to make a 1/2 inch deep hole but not too far to puncture the arm rest skin) and used a 1/2 pan head screw to hold the thing together. It works well. This will be clear once you have the panel off.

The other source of rattling is possibly the window regulator. At the point that it's rattling you might consider replacing it. Not too hard at all once the door is apart. (many threads on the subject here) And more than likely to fail eventually since it gets used more than the other windows.

DS
87 300D
Northern Iowa

tino 06-23-2005 08:54 PM

Is that so...................
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz
True. But 15, 20 years from now, the Pontiac would look like a candidate for "Pimp My Ride", while the MB would look more like West Coast Customs had completed it! :cool:

True the pre 1995 or so have a distinctive quiet elegance and can be easily recognized as Mercedes. Now :rolleyes: have a good look at the newer Mercedes models and tell me if the same applies.


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