Freshly aquired 1978 450sel with problems

[ptoro01]

On saturday morning we went to pick up the 450sel and started cleaning it. The car has some obvious issues to it but it runs strong. A new paint job is needed for it and all the seats have to be replaced. Nothing bad really. There are a few little things that we couldnt figure out with this car if anyone could give their opinions:

1) After taking the headliner off, we couldnt pop the rear view mirror back in. After 2 hours of reading around on the forum, I couldnt find the answer.

2) The lock on the driver side doesnt work. The key turns freely without any resistance from the lock.

So far we have just cleaned the car up and restored the interior. Had the rims refinished and did a fluid change.

Please give us your opinion on how to fix those little problems.
Thanks and this forum is really amazing, helped a lot already.

Hi--please let me know how your paint job goes (like cost if you will) and also the same about the seats. I purchased a '75 450 SEL and it needs exactly the same--paint job and new seats.

Also, has a few engine ignition issues, but that's a whole other story.

[notlostmaybe]

the door lock sounds like the rectangular pins have
been removed from the cylinder.

the mirrows take some force to snap them in. careful

don

Sometimes my driver's lock does that also. My lock is also the button for opening the door. If I push the button in just a little bit, the key usually grabs and turns it unlocked. I don't think you have these door handles, but maybe pulling the handle a little bit will cause it to grab. Just a long shot.
Tim

[Russ114]

good to hear about your purchase

my dad just picked up a 77 450SEL with no problems either a few days ago.. that's the 3rd 116 in the family now.

i'm unsure about the mirror issue, but the door lock will be from the peice that joins the door latch to the lock mechanism, it's a fairly simple repair, i did it on my sisters 280SEL and it took about an hour.

[MikeTangas]

I don't know the lock/latch set-up on the 116, but on the 108 there is a pot metal piece, shaped a little like a kidney, that usual bites the dust. I found mine laying ion the bottom of the door. Being unable to reuse it and unable to get just that piece (although complete door handles with lock can be had at the dealer)I found a work around. Once inside the lock work I found a small screw that adjusts the distance between the buttom and the lever inside the latch. Adjusting it a little closer made possible to lock/unlock the door. It's been a few years since I worked on the lock so my details are getting a little rusty.

Hope this helps.