need help removing rear door panel 124
 

I need to remove the inner door panel on the driver's side rear door on my 1987 300E (reasons: to replace the check strap and investigate a non-working window; all switches are good). I have removed the front door panel and it was no problem popping it loose, but the rear one seems to be held on very tightly by numberous clips around virtually the entire perimeter and I'm afraid of breaking something by forcing it off. Can someone tell me how to remove rear door panel? Thanks

Take the ashtray and ashtray housing out, it holds the bottom of the door in with two hooks.

Otherwise, remove the trim around the top of the armrest, remove the bolt, remove the lock button

When you expose the door latch lever, pry the link up and out of the lever, then push the lever and housing back (or forward, I forget) to unclip it and remove.

Pull UP on the door panel when everything is loose -- the panel is held onto the door by four or five hooks. If you pry between the panel and the door, you will break them and end up needing a new panel. Don't forget to remove the trim around the door latch, too.

Watch for the wires to the bottom lamp if you have one, the panel won't go very far!

thanks!
 

thanks for the tips. using this info, I was able to get the check strap replaced with no problems. no more groaning rear door.

After replacing 3 bad check straps, I have noticed my doors close much more solidly than before. 2 of them, which had to be slammed to get them to latch shut on the first try, no longer have to be slammed. Have you or anyone else noticed this?