Hello all,
Canada sucks......The weather here is too cold. After a large ice storm last night, I found 15-20mm of sheer ice slathered on my 2.6 which doesn't have its own space in the garage (reserved for fathers S40 and mothers Contour SVT) Being anal retentive about my Mercedes, I keep all my odds and ends in the trunk, (save winter floor mats, garage door opener) that included the ice scraper I needed. Upon trying to open up the trunk I found a great deal of restriction. Since I can be a spaz, I threw up the trunk with a great deal of force and wrecked something. I found the latch mechanism doesn't catch and the trunk itself seems to be sticking outward possibly about 1/4". I'm not sure if I have herculean strength that bent the trunk or it's just the latch mechanism which is out of place. When lowering the trunk I can see the latch is very close to the latch pin so could it just be the lock itself? How should the lock catch? Can anyone offer any suggestions? PLEASE OFFER ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF!!! IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!!! I'M A STUDENT WITHOUT MUCH MONEY!!!!!!!

__________________
1989 300CE - 269,000 km
1994 SL600 - 59,000 km

Take your car to a qualified shop to do the repair. Best not to spaz when working on any car, let alone a fine automobile. Let's hope you don't plan on being a brain surgeon some day. Best of luck and take better care of that car!

I do need to remember I am PRIVILAGED to own this car. Many of my friends are stuck with cookie cutter automobile garbage (think Buick LeSabre, Honda Civic, Cheverolet Cavalier etc..) As it stands now I still cannot fully close my trunk. I shouted at my parents to build an addition but, seeing as I'll be leaving home soon after graduating, they seem to find that impractical. I spent 3/4 of an hour at the self wash car wash in my neck of the woods de-icing my baby. Being outside for that long in -15C temps turns your extremeties numb quickly. I deserved that pain for my spaz incident yesterday. I'm really close to closing the trunk, it just seems to be sticking back outwards about 1/4" for some unknown reason. Can you guys help me? The top of the trunk sits down fine but it is too far back to latch down and close properly? I am a real idiot to have done this but, I didn't think I could have bent my cars trunk hinges?
PLEASE OFFER A DUMMY SOME HELP SINCE HE IS POOR AND REALLY DOES CARE FOR HIS MB.

I am thinking of relocating to Arizona after school is out. It seems to be automotive heaven down there (for the cars at least) What do you guys think?

THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVICE OR TIPS!!!!
MIKE MCKINNEY

__________________
1989 300CE - 269,000 km
1994 SL600 - 59,000 km

Try
BURWELL AUTO BODY LIMITED
485 YORK
LONDON, ON
N6B 1R4
(519) 438-5175

They quickly and cheaply fixed my trunk hinges after I inadvertently closed it over a suitcase that was sitting under the hinge. The entire trunk lid lifted up about 3/4" but no damage was done - it was repaired via adjustment of the hinges, apparently.

It kinda sounds like you pranged the position of the trunk hinges. Open it up and take a look where the hinges are bolted to the trunk sheet metal. If you see anything that looks like the trunk has moved in relation to the hinge attachment bolts, then that is your problem. It isn't really likely that you bent the trunk (pretty sturdy piece of material). But, having said that, I don't know much about the violence of a "spaz" attack. I'll bet that you moved the trunk sheet metal and it will have to be readjusted back to it's original position. Loosen the bolts until you can just move the trunk, (better if you have a helper), close it until it's almost to the latch position and gently tap it with your hand until it's where it otta be. Open it until you have just enough room to get to the bolts and tighten one on each side. Check for alignment and if it's OK, sock them down. Good luck..

__________________
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.

Jeff,
thank you for replying. I cannot find the location of the hinges because they seem to be hidden under the rear deck which houses the rear speakers and emergency kit. Any possible ideas? PLEASE ANYONE, I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS MYSELF AND SAVE MONEY SINCE I HAVE NONE TO START WITH!!!!

__________________
1989 300CE - 269,000 km
1994 SL600 - 59,000 km

Look where the hinge bolts to the trunk. Should be two bolts under a snap on plastic cover. That's where you want to go..

__________________
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.

Jeff,
Thanks again for replying. I did adjust the bolts where the hinge arms attach to the sheet metal on the trunk lid. Almost solved my problem. I still have the latch not coming into proper contact with the lock mechanism. Do you have any idea why? I have loosened the bolts on both sides and the back of the trunk is still sticking out about 1/2". I don't understand it!!!! The top of the trunk sits pretty much flush and would if the latch would come into proper contact with the lock mechanism. Also the one side of the trunk is higher than the other by about 1/4" or 1/8". I hope this is just due to misalignment and not something more serious? Jeff, I was wondering if they're are any other points on the trunk assembly where I can possibly adjust for trunk fit in terms of play? What about the base of the hinges under the rear deck? I can't find out where they attach though........

PLEASE ANYONE OFFER ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU GUYS FOR REPLYING!!!!!
MIKE MCKINNEY

__________________
1989 300CE - 269,000 km
1994 SL600 - 59,000 km

Nick,
Thank you for your reply. I cannot go along with the trunk not properly closing. I still have the rear deck hanging out by about 1/2" for some unknown reason. I cannot find any more adjustment points for the trunk itself. I have adjusted the attachment bolts for the hinge arms to the deck lid itself to no avail. I have the deck lid itself positioned all the way forward. This isn't how it was before however but, did improve the trunk position. How much could I expect to pay for this repair? I cannot think of anything else I can do to fix the bloody thing so I might just have to bow out and accept defeat.
What do you think?

ANYBODY ELSE FEEL FREE TO ADVISE!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
MIKE MCKINNEY

__________________
1989 300CE - 269,000 km
1994 SL600 - 59,000 km

You have most probably bent the hinges themselves. If a set all the way forward didn't cure the problem, the the bow in the hinge arms themselves has been distorted. Either replacement or repair will require removing the hinges and trunk. Try to get a mental image of how this might happen. The hinges are kinda roundish pieces of tubing. If you distort the curve, ie stretch them, then the trunk will move rearward accordingly. The goal is to get the trunk moved forward. Solution, replace the hinges or get a good body tech to try and recurve them. It can be done..

__________________
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.

Jeff,
Your scaring the **** out of me here!!!!!!!!! How much would something like that cost? I'm not in any position to drop half a grand on the trunk. What do you suggest?

[Edited by Webmaster on 02-12-2001 at 05:47 PM]

__________________
1989 300CE - 269,000 km
1994 SL600 - 59,000 km

Relax mate, we're talking about removing the hinges and trunk sheetmetal. You will have to disconnect any wiring to the trunk, remove the retainer bolts from the hinges, put the trunk piece aside, then remove the hinges from the car. This is the tricky part. You've got to get some professional help in getting the curve in the hinges back to where it belongs. Best bet ask around to see if there is anyplace in your area that would take a crack at trying to bend the hinges back to where they otta be. If the trunk itself isn't distorted, then it's gotta be the hinges. Check as you remove them to see if there is any distortion in the metal where they attach to the body. Go slow, you will get past your anxiety. The worst you can do is end up replacing the hinges if they are too far gone. (don't think so, you're only off by a 1/2 inch or less.

__________________
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.

Is somehting stuck under the hinge? That may be too easy of an answer.

Jeff,
thank you for the reassurance brother! I'm really set on getting this fixed by myself if possible! I think that either one hinge is out of position or somehow I've bent the rear deck lid a bit? It is very hard to tell, no distortion in metal underneath or in the paint itself although when I was inside the trunk itself I noticed it is finished in a darker slate/gun metal grey compared to the light smoke silver of the rest of the car... Since I'm the 3rd owner, could this car have been in a wreck? I got the papers from the Province and everything seemed to be in order? I'm still shocked I had enough strength to bend those hinges in the first place!!! If I cannot get anything more out of slightly adjusting the deck lid screws, could anyone ballpark how much loot I'd have to cough up for the fix?

ALL ADVICE HAS BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED!
MIKE MCKINNEY

__________________
1989 300CE - 269,000 km
1994 SL600 - 59,000 km