External handle only or both internal and external? My experience with a sticking door was the rubber lined socket on the strike being just sticky enough to make it a real challenge to get the door open.

On a W114, there is an adjustment on the back of the push button that controls how hard it pushes on the latch release. I know the W116 doesn't have a button (I can see my 450SEL from here) but it might have a link that's either adjustable or have worn bushings.

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120