190E Driver's Door Panel Removal

[Jim Herold]

I need to replace the vacuum element in the driver's door of my 1987 190E 16V. First step is to remove the door panel. My MBZ shop manual doesn't address the power seat control panel. I have removed the enclosure around the door lock itself. I removed the cover and screw on the top of the hand grip. After these steps, I can barely move the panel.

Do I need to remove or detach the power seat controls in order to remove the panel?

The three small plastic control knobs on the seat control do not easily pull off and I don't want to force anything. What next steps do I follow to remove the door panel?

Thank you for your help--Jim Herold

[ytr1903]

Try this:

Remove front door panel

Remove door lock button
Remove screw in vertical, vinyl piece at rear of door and remove piece
Remove chrome horseshoe shaped piece at rear of door (two screws)
Remove two large phillips screws from bottom of armrest.
Remove plastic seat shaped pieces from seat switch (pry off)
Remove C-shaped clamp from seat switch
Pry out plastic cover at the door handle and remove phillips screw behind it.
Remove large phillips screw at top of arm rest handle
Remove cover of seat switch (Pry out and forward)
Remove two phillips screws on seat switch and remove wiring harnesses
Unplug light at bottom of door panel
Lift panel and remove (watch for wires for light)

Tom