94 e500 doors need a little oompf to close - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

PutPutPut · #1 12-25-2009, 05:37 PM

Hi,

All doors on my 1994 e500 need a little more oompf to close than expected. Two things to note, first:
- all my doors appear properly aligned, flush with the body
- they close smoothly when a window or another door is open

Searching suggested to first try closing with opened windows.. and that works. Unfortunately, none of the threads mention how to fix that particular instance, they go on to determine the latch and striker plates were dirty, or full on hinge alignment was necessary, etc. (for example: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=120729 --- it's a coupe, but parts still seem to apply).

Would losening the striker plate slightly and readjusting be the right way to go? Am I supposed to adjust all four striker plates, or just guess one and have fun? Post #6 in the thread above says that such airtightness is a good thing. Perhaps just leave well enough alone?

Thank you for your time!

pawoSD · #2 12-25-2009, 05:54 PM

Your car should have the vacuum assist door closing system, meaning you just gently close the door and then the car pulls them shut automatically and silently. If this is not working it might be an expen$ive fix. Same for the trunk, it should close once you just lower it to a "closed position".

They should work just like in this video when you close them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH4P7F55ccE

PutPutPut · #3 12-25-2009, 06:10 PM

I don't think any e500's had vacuum assist (mine does not have it from what I can tell). The S320 I've been driving does, and it's a nice feature

pawoSD · #4 12-25-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PutPutPut

I don't think any e500's had vacuum assist (mine does not have it from what I can tell). The S320 I've been driving does, and it's a nice feature

Ah, it just now occurred to me that you have an e-class.

My fault.

If the doors are hard to close I would agree that it is likely a door striker issue....or it could even be the door seals....have they been replaced? There's a few things that could make them hard to close.

Sev · #5 12-26-2009, 12:30 AM

might want to ask this q on the 500ecstasy dot com website

johnathan1 · #6 12-26-2009, 01:12 AM

They close easily with a window open? Sounds like your car is tightly sealed...normal.

PutPutPut · #7 12-26-2009, 01:59 AM

johnathan1 - yes, that is correct, closes easily with window (or another door) open. So if it is "normal", then I do nothing and just use the oompf to close?

There is wind noise coming from the driver's side somewhere, though, that's going to be fun tracing it down

Sev - thought about posting there, but this is more a general w124 item I've seen discussed here more. BTW, that's one of my favorite books

EDIT: by the way, each of the four doors act this way if its the only door being shut with windows closed - it bounces out, unless a window/door is open, or I use more force. If it were a striker plate issue, then which one should I start with? I think Johnathan1 is correct... but the windnoise, gah!

johnathan1 · #8 12-26-2009, 04:18 AM

Well, that's odd...it shouldn't be so hard to shut the doors that it becomes troublesome...

I highly doubt that it's a lock/striker plate issue, because it would be highly unlikely for it to happen to all four doors. The wind noise could be several things...try to look in the general area for damaged rubber, or anything that looks like it could open up while underway. (ie. force of wind)

fred1948 · #9 12-26-2009, 07:52 AM

I have noticed the same thing on my 1995 E320. I tried readjusting the driver's door and was unable to make it any easier to close and still have the proper alignment. When someone rides with me I try to remember to close my door last so that I don't have to explain why their door didn't fully latch. Most people comment on how solid the doors sound when they are shut.