REAR Door panel removal? Rattles '92-400E
 

Greetings again,

Well I got the mirror off (with the help from Giulio, thanks) and replaced the adjusting arm. Now to get the little rattle out of the back door panel. It appears that the wood trim piece fastener is loose and vibrating. I tried to "pop" off the door panel, but MBZ doesn't do that! It appears that the panel is screwed onto the door somehow. I don't want to break anything, so can anyone tell me how to safely remove the rear door panel? The only visible screw is around the lock and that only removes the black plastic lock plate cover. The door latch and window switch are covered by a black plastic piece, but I can't seem to get it off... HELP!:confused:
Thanks > BOBB

I believe there are a couple of slots cut into the plastic cover behind the inside door handle. Pry out the plastic cover to reveal a screw holding the door handle frame to the door. Pull the door handle frame and window switch out to reveal a big screw holding the arm rest to the door. There are two other big screws that you'll see form the bottom of the arm rest. On a 126, there is a piece of trim along the trailing edge of the quarter window that also has to be removed. The screws are along the weatherstrip. When the door panel is free, lift it up the out, not straight out.

Sixto
91 300SE

Not the same....
 

I looked for the screws and they aren't there! The black plastic cover around the rear inside door handle and window switch has no visible screws. I tried to pull it off and can only get it part way (around the window switch). The arm rest has no screws or screw covers. It's all one piece. Another mystery from the dawn of time...:confused:

Doh! I thought it would be more similar. Sorry if I caused confusion.

But take a closer look at the inside door handle, the chrome piece. Pull it as if to open the door and try to pry the the concave piece of plastic that guides your fingertips around the chrome piece. It should be nothing more than a shaped sheet of plastic. The hard plastic trim that contains the door handle and the window switch will not just pull out.

Sixto
91 300SE

Pictures
 

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Picture #4
 

Picture #4 THANKS for the Help! When I get it figured out, I will send detailed pictures for others to follow....

See the 1 screw holding that cover over the door catch, to the far left on the panel? Remove it and the small trim piece. As to the trim around the inside door opener handle, you need to pry that away from the door at the top, using something that won't mar the door panel...the top should pivot away as the bottom has hooks pointed downward. Then unplug the window switch and set the trim/switch aside.

That done, remove the 12 mm nut that holds the upper end of the door pull in place. Then remove the ashtray and holder piece, as well as the "puddle lamp" at the bottom edge of the panel. Roll down the window. Now, simply slide the entire panel upwards and you're there..the panel should be in your hands.

Door Panel removal (rear 400E) - Picture#1
 

Michael and sixto,

Thanksor the help. I got it. It was a little harder than expected, but once you know where all the clips are, it's not too bad. I can see how easy it is to screw this up! Here are some pictures. Removing the handle cover, lock plate, ash tray and arm rest bolt. The hrdest part was getting the arm rest clips back in the door panel. Thanks for the help. > BOBB

Door Panel removal (rear 400E) - Picture#2
 

Door Panel removal (rear 400E) - Picture#2
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Door Panel removal (rear 400E) - Picture#3
 

Door Panel removal (rear 400E) - Picture#3
See circled panel clip holes. Lift UP and OUT.

Door Panel removal (rear 400E) - Picture#3
 

Door Panel removal (rear 400E) - Picture#3
See circled panel clip holes. Lift UP and OUT.

Um can some one please add this to the DIY;)
This is great stuff! Some of the leather trim at the bottom of my rear right window is peeling back from the edge and I have to glue it back down by taking the panel off, I couldn't figure it out:confused: , it ain't no Toyota....
THANK YOU!

Bob-Nice job!
 

Good work attaching the photos...should make this process very clear.