Help! 1999 S500 Mystery Part Identification W140 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

s500joe · #1 12-02-2007, 03:12 PM

Boy, do I need help. I have two repair projects (more like sagas) going on my 1999 S500. The first is a window regulator replacement to the right rear door, and the second is the removal of the antenna motor.

Both are works in progress.

All the parts, fasteners, etc. were neatly stored in my trunk.

Here's where I need help - as I was putting the antenna motor back in, I noticed this mystery part laying in my trunk. I have gone over the door panel, etc. and can't figure out what the heck it is or where it came from. Can anyone help? This one is driving me crazy.

bhatt · #2 12-02-2007, 07:15 PM

I looked in the EPC (parts catalogue) for a '99 W140 rear door and can see every piece used in the door. There is nothing that looks like the part you've shown.

Is it possible it was left in the door during previous bodywork or work on the door? Does it have any MB logos or numbers on it at all? Perhaps it's just a rubber block of some kind that was used and left behind..

Are you sure it is from the door and wasn't either a)sitting in the trunk before you started the repair or b)part of the antenna replacement project??

Larry Delor · #3 12-02-2007, 07:33 PM

What is it made out of? Almost looks like rubber - which makes me want to say, it goes inside the antenna motor; or maybe a window stop of some sort.

s500joe · #4 12-03-2007, 01:44 AM

Thanks for all the detective work, suggestions, etc.
Here's some add'l info:

- No part number or MB logo
- Made of hard plastic
- was not inside the door when I removed the panel
- initially thought it may have come from the inside of the panel itself, but thanks to your research that possibility is eliminated
- will check the old regulator in the morning to see whether it may have come from there - if not, the door project would be eliminated as the source.
- the original antenna motor was removed to retrieve a broken mast end. I will pull that part again and check if it looks like the source.

It may be that the part is not related to the car at all, but I have racked my brain on that as well and came up with no ideas.

My gut tells me it is from the car based on the construction, including the shallow ridges formed into the semi-circle portion. But then again, that same gut told me to get married twice (wrong both times).

Will keep you posted and let me know if you have any other ideas!

bhatt · #5 12-03-2007, 07:19 AM

Take the old mast piece and fit it into the semicircular curved edge. Does it fit?

Perhaps this is a "guide" from inside the antenna case that aligns the mast?

I know it's annoying, but if your door and antenna work perfectly, I'd just leave things as is. Don't throw away the part though (stems from my belief that you should never throw away an MB part because you'll for sure need it later if you do). You'll find the place in the next 5-10 years where it was supposed to go and it will be in a well-labelled Ziploc bag hanging in your shop

s500joe · #6 12-03-2007, 03:19 PM

Good suggestion! As soon as it gets over 19 degrees here in MN, I am going to pull the antenna!

Thanks a million!

Joe

cemiii · #7 12-04-2007, 06:27 PM

i recently had my aerial motor go out. found that it was so prohibitively expensive to repair that i just added a sattelite radio to the car that works through the car's radio system communicating on one FM preset. The entire cost of the radio and 3-5 years service is less than the aerial motor replacement and now i get my favorite stations everywhere. just an idea!