I removed the door panel to fix a creeking door issue by installing a new check straps and discovered that the bottom of the door panel had rotted out, presumably due to water. As I moved the plastic door trim tool to unsnap the retaining plastic clips the plastic retaining clips fell out on the ground. Once the panel was removed, I could see what was wrong. How would be the best way to fix this ?

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I have used 'gorilla' glue successfully. I applied liberally round the edges and it seeps into all cracks and strengthen it. It will expand so pad it down before it is completely hardened. May be you can try with a small area to see the end result first.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

is it just one or all four?

i think you could glue some replacement material on there with new holes. on the other hand if you have access to the contents of a junkyard a blue panel is not a super hard part to find.

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'77 240D, 504H, OM617.952, etc.

Bricktron, it only the one door so far. Unfortunately there are no junk yards with old MB's in this area, so I'm stuck buying off the forum or or elsewhere....

Closure inspection shows that the entire bottom wood section of the panel has water damage and is spongy. It appears that one alternative which was pointed out is to replace the wood. That's a good idea. I believe something called Tag board is used. Once the panel dries out, I'll investigate more and update this thread.

i agree that the stiff material can be removed but i don't know how tricky it would be. before doing work, you might post a WTB in the for sale forum and see if anyone in the country has a spare...

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'77 240D, 504H, OM617.952, etc.

I would let the panel dries out and at least try a small area with 'gorilla' glue. It is only about $6 per bottle from Walmart. It will fill all void and stiffen the panel. Wait for the glue to become tacky and pad it down to level the surface. You will be surprised. It is little work and the panel will be as good as new. However, it is your car and you have the last say.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

I plan to use a product like these (see links below) for a similar problem. I may lay down a layer or two of fiberglass as well because it will be thin but help strengthen where the clips attach. My door panel vinyl is already tearing slightly and I don't want to remove it from its backer support to replace that support with new material.

CPES™-Wood based epoxy products to repair and resist wood rot.
or
TotalBoat Clear Penetrating Epoxy Kits

These aren't cheap unfortunately.

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

I'll bet that the plastic door liner was not present? Any plastic sheeting will do, like a garbage bag. They are required to prevent exactly what you have, because water gets inside the doors when it rains or when you wash the car.

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

... which door panel do you need?

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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 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

LOL...
it sure would be nice to live close to you....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

I'm often amazed at how often I hear that...

__________________
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 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Well, there's more than one person that has used parts.

Sorry to the OP, for cluttering up your thread. I have shipped door panels in the past.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Do you have one appropriate and available for the OP ?

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

The door panel is drivers side back seat door. Yes the plastic barrier is in tact. I know the former owner had dogs (hairy ones) that she took everywhere she went.
VS tech, the interior is blue.

Could this be due to the outer horizontal weather strip on the sill being cracked, or abuse from the former owner leaving the windows down for the dogs to breath in the rain ?