am I being BS'd or not?
 

Hi,

I drive an 84 300SD turbo. It's had a nice handful of problems this year, but otherwise it runs fine.

the latest problem is the rear left passenger window is stuck in the "down" position. I have no place or time (or knowhow) to fix it myself, so I took it to the place this car has always gone to. The guy there told me the part (regulator?) would cost 225.00. I asked if he could just fix the window so it won't go down anymore, basically disabling it and keeping it stuck in the "up" position, and he said no they couldn't, it just kept falling back down.

Is this a ploy on his part, or should I just pay them to make the window work again? It's a hefty sum of cash for such a seemingly small, and nearly insignificant thing...as I don't give a lot of folks rides!

thanks in advance for the insight.

These are window regulators:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ41OF174BDV&year=1984&make=MB&model=300-SD-002&category=All&part=Window+Regulator&appChassis=_any

If you want the window to work, you pretty much need either a new or used part, unless you can fix the old one (unlikely). It's not very difficult to install in your car. I fixed one a few months ago. Some idiot put a piece of wood in the door to hold up the window in one of my cars.

You probably only need the regulator guide jaw replacement kit installed. It's a lot less expensive than replacing the regulator itself. The guide jaw is the plastic part that often breaks before any of the metal parts of the regulator gives out. Unless your regulator has stripped gears, you're getting hosed.

regulator replacement
 

I just replaced the regulator assembly on my 88 300CE - the drivers side front window. I know its different but..

The whole assembly - motor and regulator was $100 from potomac( an MB junkyard) - they are in Maryland but will ship anywhere - I'm in PA.

It took me about an hour to install it - and thats because I was in no hurry.

I wouldn't try to rebuild it or buy it new. Its the rear window and probably gets less use than the front ones.

Most likely BS
 

As was mentioned earlier, the plastic "sliding jaw" is the usual cause of these windows not working. The regulator or motor failing is VERY rare on most MB models!

It's a reasonably simple fix. If you have a friend with some basic tools who has half an hour, he can do it for you. Search for posts under my name from a few years ago.. I explained it in an earlier post.

Do NOT let this guy change the entire regulator.. it's a ripoff unless he can prove it has failed.

Temporary fix - pull off the door panel (search the forum for how) and reach in & push the window up. Cut a 2x4 to exactly the proper length, then put it between the bottom edge of the window and the door bottom (thereby holding up the window).

Bought an 83 300SD and the window wouldn't move.. then I found the 2x4 holding it up.. so I know this works :)

Neal

I too have replaced the plastic guide jaw. Don't have to be a rocket scientist to do this , but you do need some time and DIY skill. Until then just remove the door paneling and do the 2x4 prop up. It works great until you are ready...

To answer your question:
No you are no being BS'ed.
As you can see the part is 195.00 in Mercedesshop, so 225.00 is plausible. I if I was a mechanic I would not try to "fix" something by "making it not work in the up position".
That could bring some liabilities for the mechanic.
My suggestion is to have him replace the unit, either with a "working used" or a new one.
My two cents....

You can thank the letigious climate in America for people always pulling a CYA.

thanks for all the repsonses, guys. I went ahead and let him fix it. I really don't have the time, space, or tools to do this type of thing myself, and I consider myself fairly handy, so its not fear or anything that stopped me.

Anyway, I'm thinking of checking out that guy, Felipe was it? Out in the Valley? Want to get a full-blown diagnosis on this car, and see what it will take to keep her running for the next 5 years or so.

thanks,

LC