85 300TD Rear Window Trim - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jareb · #1 07-23-2017, 02:05 PM

My 300TD has developed a leak at the bottom of the rear side window trim at the very back. I can reach up in the spare tire well and feel some flaking rust in the area. It doesn't feel like the drip rail trim area and the rust doesn't go all the way up to the window. It is maybe 3/4 inch wide and 1 inch long rusty area. How do I remove the bottom chrome trim piece in order to repair the rust. It's only maybe an inch long rust area but I want to get to it before it gets worse. Also is this a Bondo type repair or do I need to cut and weld in some metal?
Thanks
John

Jareb · #2 07-23-2017, 02:46 PM

Moderator
Please delete post....wrong forum

crazy4diesel · #3 07-23-2017, 03:18 PM

I don't think it's the wrong forum, but pictures of what you are describing would help. if it's under any part of the rubber seal, you need to remove the window to really remedy the problem.

Jareb · #4 07-23-2017, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy4diesel

I don't think it's the wrong forum, but pictures of what you are describing would help. if it's under any part of the rubber seal, you need to remove the window to really remedy the problem.

Thanks, I also posted in the body forum but couldn't delete this post.
Anyway, its pouring rain today so no pictures. I'm out of garage space so I put a tarp over the car for now.
I managed to get the lower chrome trim piece off the rear quarter window after reading some posts. It came off pretty easy. There is a dime sized hole{after me poking with a small screwdriver} that is right in the bend of the window recess in the body. Its at the bottom corner right where the lower trim piece ends. Not too bad and it doesn't go under the rubber seal at all. It seems like an easy fix with a dremel and some rust inhibiter/sealer and bondo.
I would like to take the rest of the window trim off the quarter window but couldn't get it to move at the top. I removed the three screws around the trim but didn't want to force it until I do some more research.

crazy4diesel · #5 07-23-2017, 04:50 PM

Mine had the exact same rust spot, and it was a California car from the beginning, but I don't think it saw many car washes.

You'll need to pull that rear window. I took mine out with the frame attached (soon I am going to have to figure out how to put it back in). There are two screws along the c pillar behind the rear door. One is inside the door window frame area at the top, the other is at the bottom where the moulding you just took off is at.

I got all the rust out using a wire wheel and was left with a small hole, and some lacy metal in a couple places, I used fiberglass to make the repair because I know how to do that, and a figure at least it can never rust again.

The car has just been painted, so I'll be putting that window back in soon, if you beat me to it tell me how you did it. Oh, yeah, put tape on those clips that hold that molding on, your fingers will thank you, those suckers are sharp as a knife.

Jareb · #6 07-23-2017, 05:07 PM

Mine was a garage kept car all its life. Still original paint. I moved about a year ago and didn't have the garage space for it so it sat outside. I rarely used the car for the past year so it sat in the driveway, accumulated a lot of tree leaves and rain. The only reason I found the leaks is because I decided to sell the car rather than not use it and started cleaning it out. Pulled the spare and found water in the well....same thing on the jack/tool side. I might just take it to a body shop and let them deal with it but don't feel right selling it like it is. Its a high mileage car but I bought it from the original owner and it was always garaged and serviced by MB. It has never let me down. Bummed me out that I let it go like this for a year.

crazy4diesel · #7 07-23-2017, 05:34 PM

Oh, well in that case may advice is to sell it as is, especially with the higher mileage. What it will cost to fix probably won't get a return on investment for you. Just disclose the situation, new owner might just drive it to it's grave and not care.

Also, there is a third screw back in the corner where your rust is.