Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove the door panel in order to reconnect or replace the door release handle spring and to repair the door lock mechanism? I'm concerned about damaging any upholstery clips or fasteners I might encounter.

Thanks,

Phil

Stiff putty knife is what i like for popping plastic buttons. There are probly 10-12 of em all along the edges. They break real easy. The idea is to pry em with putty knife against their collar, not prying on fragile door panel board.

Behind the round corner vent knob is a small hole you poke the center ring out using a bent coat hanger piece. The top sill pops off similar to panel buttons but has metal clips. And gotta be real gentle with inside door handle release plastic cover. It removes from *front to back*, opposite of what you'd expect. Look for opening between 2 teeth on front edge, about the size of small screwdriver.

Meanwhile keepin the door pockets intact is greatest hazard. Caint remember for sure, but think you have to lift the door panel upwards to avoid mangling pocket attaching nubs - assuming your 220b is equiped with em.

Also an excellent time to check window tracks for being tight and lubed. And throw some rustoleum on rust at the bottom. The plastic sheeting is vapor barrier to prevent panel board from warping.

Search "door panel" in archives specific to this forum, then wake up the best thread you find.

__________________
'80 300SD/ w116
'79 240D 4-spd
'71 750cc Guzzi

previously owned:

'83 240D 4-spd
'77 280SEL 4-spd
'74 280/8
'72 250/8
'65 220Sb 4-spd
'63 220Sb 4-spd
'63 190c 4-spd
'61 220Sb 4-spd
'60 190b 4-spd

Just to add to 240Dog's post, in my experience, the clips are actually all supposed to be metal originally (unless replaced with plastic ones later on), just like the top sill's. They break less easily, but still be careful!

The top sill pops off upwards - if you do this with a pushing motion towards the door and up, you don't have to use any knives or screwdrivers, as it is easily damaged.

Lastly, the 220b is not supposed to have door pockets, this was a "luxury" item added to the Sb and SEb.

However, 240Dog, thank you for the hint about the round vent corner knobs, I have always been prying them loose from the front with a very thin screwdriver, but it was still impossible not to mark them!

Thanks for the help. This will be a learning experience I'm sure. If the clips do break are there sources for replacement or would an upholstery shop have something aftermarket that might work?

Phil

Phil,

The clips can be ordered from any Mercedes-Benz dealership (not sure what they cost) and, for what it's worth, I have a many spare ones, but I am in South Africa, and I think it'll be cheaper just to order new ones from MB for you :-)

It's amazing that one can still order any W111 part new from MB dealership, but some of the parts get horrendously expensive (they probably have to pay 50 years' worth of storage "rent" with that price.)

You're probably right about being able to order parts. I recently had a pivot pin on the lower right control arm shear off. I was able to find one on Ebay (OEM) for around $140 US. The problem was in the control arm itself; badly warped in many directions. I could have gotten one from the local MB dealer..... for $1400 US!! I opted to a car nut I know to spend about 8 hours heating and pressing it back into a reasonable semblance of spec. I just couldn't see spending that kind of money.

I did order some of the rubber grease bushings for the pivot arm at $7.50 US each. Spendy but what are you going to do? I'll probably do the same for the clips if I have to replace them. Thanks for the advice.

Phil