I tried a search of past threads and did not see anything obvious, so if there is a thread, just give me some specifics.

Specifically this is for a 1981 240D, a 123 body, but I think this also applies to the 116 body and probably a lot of others... anyway. The doors do not close smoothly, so I have tried loosing the base catch for the door that is attached to the door frame as opposed to being attached to the door. I have tried moving it around or loosening it and closing the door a few times to try to move it into the correct position. The situation has improved, but the door still does not close smoothly... like a Mercedes should.

Is there a trick (or maybe art) to get this adjustment correct?

Just to get this back to the top of the list.

Be sure the striker part on the body isn't wore out. At the bottom of the otherwise metalic fixture is a rounded bulg of plastic. This is necessary to shove the latch to the second stop.

If bad the plastic will be virtual flush with the metal. It should rise at least an 1/8 inch.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

If you can't get the striker in correct position, you will most certainly need to adjust the door hinges.

Good luck,

Larry,

I need to resurrect this thread to solve the door alignment problem on the SDL. I spent the better part of two hours trying to get the door up so it does not sag any more. However, in order to get the door up to the correct height at the latch, I need to set the top hinge too far in. It appears that the bottom hinge needs to come out further, however, I have moved it out as far as it will possibly go and the gap in the body sheet metal, at the hinges, looks proper. Unfortunately, the door remains about 1/4 inch low at the strike end.

I have only adjusted one set of door adjustment screws, the set that allows the door to rotate in the frame. I have not adjusted the set that allows the top/bottom of the door to move outward/inward.

Anybody have any solutions for these 18 year old doors? It appears that I do not have sufficient adjustment to get the door up to the proper height.

Thanks in advance.