Has anyone removed the left rear door panel before? My left rear door doesn't open from the outside anymore. No warning it just stopped opening.
I'm looking for some pics on how I can do this. Or step by step directions.

Thanks!

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1973 280 - Sold
1980 300SD - Sold
1982 240D - Stolen
1988 300E - Sold
1989 260E - Sold
1989 560SEL
1994 E420 - Sold
1997 E420
2005 CL500

i don't have a 116 but my drivers side wouldn't close one time, so i took a hammer and beat the door holder off (ie. that was the thing holding it from closing - it had rusted and bent). Maybe you could pull realllllly hard and it wiill snap

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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD ~285,000 Miles

That would be in the online factory manual at www.w116.org

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Aquilae non capunt muscas! (Eagles don't hunt flies!)


1979 300SD Black/Black MBtex239000mi
1983 300TD euro-NA. White/Olive Cloth-MBtex 201000mi. Fleet car of the USA embassy in Morocco
1983 240D Labrador Blue/Blue MBtex 161000mi

does it still open from the inside? if so, it is relatively simple to remove. www.dieselgiant.com has info on the 123, and it should apply. good luck.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

1. remove lock knob
2. remove door trim above panel (small screws holding it in)
3. remove black plastic cover in handle
4. remove small screw holding in chrome trim at handle and small screw holding panel to door .
5. remove large screw behind chrome handle trim
6. remove large screw at door arm rest (deep hole at bottom)
7. pull out ashtray
8. remove 2 screws holding ashtray frame (and panel)
9. remove chrome door striker (2 screws)
10. lift up on paneling and pull away from door.

I'm going from memory but this should be it. If it requires any hard force, then there's a pesky screw holding it on somewhere...the ashtray ones being the most hidden.

this procedure applies to just about any MB door panel up to at least 1991.

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1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

Yes, do be sure to lift it up after all fasteners are removed. There are none of the newer push in clips.
You will need to take the door hanle off and adjust a piece so it opens the door. I had 3 of my four not working when I bought mine and didnt have to buy anything. to get the door handle off, their is one philips screw that you get through the door. Then there is a plastic plug you remove on the door inside edge that reveals two 5.5 mm allens. (i think its 5.5 anyway) The philips screw only needs to be loosened, dont remove it. The allens come all the way out.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

be sure to follow the advice on dieselgiant.com's website. DO NOT FORCE ANYTHING! there are plastic L brackets cast into the plastic portion of the door panel, they break with amazingly low force, rendering the doorpanel kinda useless. be carefull.
John

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!