Removing W126 rear door panel...
 

Hello all,

It looks like my RR door panel was not installed correctly (upper inner trim is not aligned, lower hook is not even mounted - took me more than 2 years of owning it to notice it - "doh") .

Could someone please line out the procedures to remove and reinstall this panel ?

Also, the previous owner/installer managed to break one of the hook of the door switch plate during the process. Any ideas as where to get replacement (local dealer or fastlane) ?

Thankyou in advance,
Frank.

unscrew lock plunger.

remove ashtray.

unscrew upright tapered window trim, and remove.

remove bolt holding armrest (access underneath).

remove door handle plastic insert and remove screw (be gentle).

remove 2 screws and the chrome door jam trim on trailing edge of door.

remove black plastic trim surrounding window lift button.

LIFT door panel up to remove.

The window switch, ashtray light, and courtesy light on bottom of door will all have to be unhooked.

I might have forgotten something, but that is the basic MB door skin removal plan.
Don't know about the clips.

EDIT- you have a 560, which means 2 extra rear seat switches. Unplug them as well to free panel.

Pictures to go with this simple DIY
 

Pictures to go with this simple DIY.

More pictures to help new members.
 

More pictures to help new members.

Do not pry the door panel clips off like on a W123! :rolleyes:

Once everything is loose just lift up and wiggle the door panel.

Unless this 126 is different from my 81 300SD, you must first remove the wood piece at the rear of the window. There are a couple of small screws and washers (phillips) through the inside edge of the door and into the wood. The door skin will not come off without this piece removed.

Toughest Part for me was to get the upper black plastic fins into place (into the rubber trim. It took me a lot of patience before I found out to first remove the rubber strip from its place, take the strip and connect with the fins and then put both in place, slide down and engage all hooks. The rubber strip needs to be pushed into the metal step by step with a little self made hook/tool. Anything else is easy.

Would you mind posting a bit of detail about how you did this:

Do you mean you had to use a metal hook to expand the slot of the rubber strip and press downward onto the door?

Also, how difficult was it to keep the black plastic fins (I'm writing an article about how to rebuild these fins) in the rubber strip as you are pressing it onto the door?

Sorry, you asked me how I did it. I don't remember exactly. It was difficult ..as I said in the old post. I remember a paint shop did a terrible job to get the inner trip into place and I had to deal with the mess. I think as soon as you follow the main path- remove the rubber strip and put strip +fins into place - the game is yours.. I remember me building a hook out of a bicycle spoke. Sorry that I am not of big help...next time I'll take a picture.
Martin