116 door clips

[Emmerich]

The bottomof my drivers door on my 6.9 no longer is held to the door so I assume there is a missing clip. I was told the whole panel needs to be replaced, that sounds too weird. Is there a way to get another clip for the door and attach it to the panel?

thanks
Fred

[leenart]

I've never replaced the door panel when the plastic clips have broken. You will need to take the door panel off and replace all the plastic clips. Be careful that you do not damage the fiberboard panel. I think the clips just twist out. If the board is damaged, get some industrial woodglue, there is a kind that you must first wet the wood down and then glue, its an indoor/outdoor glue. Glue up the damaged hole and inset a new clip. That should work.
Leonard

[leenart]

One thing when you pull the panel off, you ned to pop the clips out otherwise you will damage the fiberboard. A wide flat crowbar with a notched center will work. Just align the notched center with the plastic clip and you should be able to pop them out. Don't stress the fiberboard or you will end up replacing it

[enochbell]

Try these guys for just about anything fastener related, I have found them helpful for just about everything for my restoration:

http://www.bresco.com/

Good luch,

g

[300SDog]

"Buttons" those are called..... good incidental item for junkyard scavenging trips.

Worst case scenario is damaged backing on the door panel where buttons are anchored. Generally caused by gorilla tactics used in removing the panel. Buttons have gotta be snapped from collar of each with stiff putty knife, instead of just ripping at the door panel.

If you're gonna be doing the repair yourself, large thin washer from hardware store might help anchor the buttons.

[Emmerich]

Originally Posted by 240DieselDog

"Buttons" those are called..... good incidental item for junkyard scavenging trips.

Worst case scenario is damaged backing on the door panel where buttons are anchored. Generally caused by gorilla technique of using something like a crowbar instead of a stiff putty knife for popping the buttons. They've gotta be snapped from collar of each, instead of just ripping at the door panel.

I had a guy tell me they are actually hooks, not clips and they are made into the door panels. I have not pulled the panel off yet, the dealer had some sort of goofy clip on their screen but they don't know what it is.

[300SDog]

I think hooks came very late in early '80s modern style cars. My 123 uses buttons and protecting em is key to removing the door panel.

Pulling an MB door panel requires ingenuity and delicate use of tools. But the fiddly bit fasteners are difficult to find off the shelf at the dealership.

[oxymoron]

they are hooks on a 116
in the window channels there are 4 metal clips. roll down the window and look down to spot these. and the door panels have about 4 hooks. they are plastic. the plastic fits into the metal door panel into a hole that is about 3/4" X 1.5"

with the armrest, inside chrome handle, etc all removed, you just have to lift the panel from the bottom to remove. no tools are necessary.

when you put it back, you line up the four clips in the window channel and press the panel down and toward the door itself at the same time.

if you have 3 hands, it is easy.

seems like I remember the clips being a part of the door panel and not a distinct part that would get replaced easily. You may have to fab something to avoid buying a whole new panel