W124 door doesn't close right/door locks lazy
 

2 problems with my car, and thank God I'm getting down to the minor problems.

1) The driver's side door doesn't close right if you're not paying attention. Without a "conscious pull" to shut it, it will sort of close 1/2 way. I'm sure something's slightly out of adjustment.

2) The automatic door locks are a bit lazy on one of the rear passenger doors. No real big deal, but it would seem like all the locks would pop up at the same time. I'm guessing it works on vacuum which would make it more lazy than today's cars. Is this door lock maybe sticking or something?:confused:

Thanks,
Jeff
1991 300d, 90k

No. 1 could be the door latch - put strips of tape above and below the latch on the B pillar (to keep it in the same position vertically, as you only want to adjust it horizontally) and unfasten it moving in or out slightly until the door closes properly. I had to do this in my car recently also.

You're correct on no. 2, the door locks are vacuum operated. The pump is under the rear seat on the passenger side and if it's being lazy there may be a leak somewhere, sometimes in the door hinge where it's flexed often. The vacuum connectors can be plugged with golf tees, detach and plug the lines one at a time until you isolate the leaky line, and go from there.

Spray WD40 into the door latch. Let sit. Spray again. You'll your door will start shutting once again the way it used to. The latching mechanisms simply get sluggish over time without cleaning out the dirt and a proper lubing.

I have found the fuel filler door lock, for some reason is often the one to start leaking first. You might want to use the suggestion above and test it first.

Haasman

Oil or Lithium?
 

I wonder if lithium would be better on the door lock area? WD40 attracts dirt, lithium does not from what I hear.

Lithium is thicker and does not penetrate very deep. WD-40 cleans and lubricates.


I had a similar problem in my car and noticed a leak in the trunk area right side. I heard a hiss every time the locks were locked/unlocked. I repaired the leak and the locks are much faster now.