Hello, This is my last hope! I have posted this message under tech help and the SL forum but nobody will respond. Im a complete newbie to the Merc world but I have a 450SL and I need to remove the front fenders. Can anybody give me any information on removing them such as where all the bolts are... how to remove the trim pieces..etc. Any info will be appreciated. Also, does anybody have a recommended source for buying fenders. Fast Lane does not have them and I have found several sites online but dont know who to trust yet.

Thanks,
Bill

Refugee of the SL forum, with questions unanswered at the Tech Forum?

For starters, go to this website from our Vintage Links Folder known all over the world for carrying valuable technical information..... possibly the only known source for actual Parts Catalogues on Vintage MB's, courtesy of friends in Poland:

http://www.mercedesstory.pl/pliki.php

And then click:

Finally go to:

The page covers detailed diagram of 450SL Fenders, nuts'n bolts; this will help get you started on your project.

Trust me, both front fenders and front bumper sections can be pulled with ordinary tools..... no cutting or welding.

You will need a propane torch to heat up the sealant between the fender and the inner fender, or you will likely bend them trying to pry them off.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Once you find the little philips screws here and there, and also remove the bolts on the inside of the fender along the door pillar and the screws at the base of the rocker and the row of bolts by the hood seem, you probably found them all.

Then look for the screws inside the rubber bumpers.

Finally, the thing should wiggle, jiggle a bit, and at last come off. -CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

You can go to the following site, which is still active and has the "full" 116
repair handbook available for printing or viewing:

http://www.w116.org/

All owners of the 116 models should use this site when questions arise.

__________________
Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

I thought the 450 SL was a 107??

Sorry, did not read the email correctly ..... the handbook for the 116 chassis is on the web.... I would still imagine that the fenders come off the same way; the biggest problem I had removing one was the adhesive material in the top fold of the fender .... it is a "bear" to cut loose or pull loose. In the shop manual for the 116, they recommend heating that area to soften the material first..... a little tricky, but the fender will finally come off. You need to pull out the fender bulkhead perhaps and will find some attaching bolts up behind that which hold the back of the fender on also ?? Have fun.

__________________
Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

Ok... Im almost there... Do you have to remove the door to get the 2 bolts under the door and once the headlight housing is removed do you just pull the two wire connectors off? they seem a little stubborn so I didnt want to force them and break a connector. I Figure that stuff isnt cheap!!!!

Thanks for all the help!!!!!

>>>Do you have to remove the door to get the 2 bolts under the door.....

On the 111 sedan there's only one sheetmetal ear bolt that's tough to reach. I wrangled the fender on this and finally chopped the sheetmetal ear with a chisel. Then OMITTED bolting the 'new' fender at that one point with zero problems.

Ask yourself just how critical those 2 bolts are. I dont know 107's very well, but maybe you can hack those bolts for the removal and skip em for the installation. Or possibly the www.w116.org site has better idea with similar fender design.

Rehanging an MB door is difficult with thousands of errors possible at getting geometry right so it will open and close like a Benz. It's your choice.

>>>...... do you just pull the two wire connectors off?

Try penetrating oil, also screw driver or something else for leverage.

Millions of restoration projects from all over the world have occurred here and been logged in the archives.

(edit: Your success documented here will help others who surf this board.

Mine has 2 bolts on the pillar and they dont look like ears to me. Gotta figure out how to get them out........... Help anybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!