Big thank you to skiier for this write-up! I replaced my door check today and was in and out in about 35 mins. No way I could have gotten the door panel off so eaily and without breaking any j-clips if not for this write-up and the attached pictures. Thanks again!

Very nice!

Thanks for the great door check replacement write-up. This should save me $75 for the hour of labor I can avoid.

Wow - my door check is broken exactly as yours is. I was wondering how the previous owner manhandled it but apparently these things happen.

Am I to understand that aftermarket door checks do not come in the car's original colors? My 560SEL is anthracite gray metallic clearcoat so I assume I need to get some spray paint and paint the check prior to installation.

Helpful supplement
 

Great instructions and great pictures! I've had my door panel off several times, and tonight had forgotten one step, which had me freakin out for about an hour. When reattaching the door handle to the cable, don't forget there is a cable end that has to be inserted into the back of the plastic handle frame. Here's the link that saved my a$$!

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/200588-interior-door-handle-problem-1994-c280.html?highlight=door+cable

Thanks again everybody.

Great pics and writeup. I broke the plastic part on the map pocket that the bigger J clip in the middle attaches to, not sure how its going to go back together.... :(

well it went back together OK and seems fine even with the broken bottom tab and also the mirror cover piece in the top corner has a broken tab. At least now my door handle is tight.

i also bent the metal clips that hold the center panel back into shape so they hold tight.

Great pics
 

I have removed my door panel but several of the black plastic J shaped clips were broken. Does anyone know where I can buy these?

MB dealer. Give them your VIN and they'll show you drawing with all the parts.

Before you remove the panel, looks like you need to remove the black trim piece around the door latch. Held in with one phillips screw.

This is a great write up. I think I need to remove my door panel to access my door lock switch. It is not arming/disarming the alarm nor is it opening/closing the windows when held in the unlock/lock position. Any advice on inspecting and testing this switch in appreciated.

Does anyone have any suggestions for replacing the clips that hold the map pocket section to the door? When I removed the door panel it turns out all 3 are broken, the white parts were sitting inside the door and the black parts are all broken off - one is salvageable.
Has anyone had to do this before?
Thanks,
Luke

Panel removal
 

Do you have to remove the panel to fix the
door lock.My key won't turn the lock on the
driver's side??

To give a good answer, it helps to know what you are working on.
We can assume a MB of some sort.....vintage and Model are a guess.

It may be possible to unbolt the door handle at the rearward edge of the door, and pull the handle out. Thus the answer would be "no".
Give it a try.

FYI, the thread he posted this to is a DIY that names the make and model in question...AFIK you do have to pull the door panel to get to the tumblers which may be "sticking".

Data from your profile
 

Vehicles
1995 E320
1986 MB 560sl
1999 Buick

Bump for a good thread!

Any particular preference for the adhesive for the plastic film? I managed to get the film to more or less stay in place with the old adhesive, but, if I do another door (next weekend, probably :) ), I'll definitely want to glue it back on.