123 TD inside hatch latch
 

I actually found a used hatch latch assy with a good inside latch mount! So I spent a couple hours changing it out, only to have the inside lever mount break off as I was putting the screw for the lever on it! I didn't even try to open the hatch! Anyone have a metal 3D printer out there? There are a lot of wagons out there with broken inside handles.

You're not wrong; I bought one sight unseen, hoping it would close properly. And it did. I didn't realize that hit was broken until I tried it.

You have another problem other than that (or at least I assume you do) ; replacing the rivet that holds that sucker on.

I have one or two threads on latches that may be helpful to you; I'd post the links but am on my phone.

Fixed that for you. ;)

One of these days I'd like to make my own out of steel, but I'd almost need a good one just to see what they're supposed to look like. I don't know what they did when they designed it, but don't anyone talk to me about "Mercedes engineers" with that thing.

-Rog

I have a good one on My car, Zec, but I had to buy two to get there...

So the inside handle breaking off the hatch is normal? Bummer... I kinda wanted a solution for that. The first time I had someone ride in my jump seats the handle broke off in their hand :(
1. it looks really miserable to replace
2. it looks like cheap crappy metal that will break again...

someone build some heavy duty ones- I'm a customer....

It's not a lot of fun. It's faster if you remove the wiper, but it is still damn fiddly.

Oh, but you can buy a whole new latch from MB for $120! Rivets aren't a problem. It could probably be a close tolerance aircraft bolt.

Possibly; would need to be the Exact correct size, and have a smooth shaft anywhere it comes in contact to metal.

I would buy one if someone could recreate a stronger version. Pot metal was a poor idea. I wonder, why not cast one with molten aluminum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH-PaNugz9w...

I have a couple aluminum engine blocks and a crap load of aluminum cans... might be fun to try.