My 87 560 sel is spending it's 2nd full winter in Canada after living the first 18 years of it's life in California. All things considered it's been handling the cold quite well. Some big oil leaks but the engine runs smooth. However, I have noticed some rust starting to form underneath the panels on the bottom 3rd of the door. It looks as though those panels just pop off but I am hesitant to break any plastic clips that might hold it in place. Does anyone know the proper technique to get these panels off?

El Duderino.

The procedure is difficult to describe, and hard to follow without pictures, so I'll just quote/paraphrase the manual for the 126 chassis:
Front fender panel
1. Unclip from below (plastic wedge or something, pry out)
2. Pull paneling downwards and disconnect at top
Driver's door
1. Remove front fender panel
2. Undo a nut hidden behind the weatherstrip at the back of the door
Note: helps to put a bit of gum or something in the socket to retain the
nut, you don't want to have to remove the door panel to retrieve it
3. "Unclip paneling at top (from the rear in forward direction; paneling is hung up at front top)"
4. "Unclip paneling below (from the front toward the rear;paneling is hung up at the rear below)"
5. "Slip paneling forward and disengage below at rear"
6. "Pull paneling toward the rear and disengage at front top"

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

These parts are held on by plastic clips -- so even with the correct proceedure it's likely that at least some 19 year old clips will break. I broke several of mine while doing some touch-up work. They are very reasonable from the dealer: a dollar per or close to that. I'd suggest going or calling, and getting several of each kind. It'll be $10 well spent, and awefully handy to have a couple of spares in your parts bin.

Just my 2 cents. After adjusting for inflation... still arguably worth that.

jp

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Jeff Pierce

Current Vehicles:
'92 Mercedes 190E/2.3 (247K miles/my daily driver)
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (263K miles/a family truckster with spunk)
'99 Kawasaki Concours
Gravely 8120
Previous Vehicles:
'85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (226K miles)'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon
'53 Willys-Overland Pickup
'85 Honda 750F Interceptor
'93 Nissan Quest
'89 Toyota Camry Wagon
'89 Dodge Raider
'81 Honda CB 750F Super Sport
'88 Toyota Celica
'95 Toyota Tacoma
'74 Honda CB 550F

may I suggest Crown OR Rust Check oil spray once a year in the spring?.
I'm currently trying to repair an 89 300SE - this car spend it's entire life in Toronto with predictible results.
What you're seeing on the doors is just the tip of the iceberg.
My other car, a 93 Passat diesel (450k km) is pristine by comparison.
The difference oil spray makes is incredible.