Someone tried to break into my mercedes vito van (2003) by puncturing a hole just underneath the lock on the sliding side door. Its a fairly deep hole and they did manage to get access, but I am new to mercedes and I'd like to be able to fix it up myself. Will I need a completly new side door? can the hole be repaired? I defiantly need to act on it because it will rust and the lock is loose. Any advice must appreciated, thanks!
MancMike
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2014
- Messages
- 0
Have a plate of harder metal welded to the inside, which will secure it and also fix the vulnerable area from future attacks. Plug the hole with filler or weld from the outside, smooth over and repaint.
That's all an accident repair place will do. Easy enough to do yourself if you can weld and paint. You might want to get it professionally painted though, as you might struggle to feather it in unless you're good and have the equipment, etc, but you were you wouldn't be asking.
That's all an accident repair place will do. Easy enough to do yourself if you can weld and paint. You might want to get it professionally painted though, as you might struggle to feather it in unless you're good and have the equipment, etc, but you were you wouldn't be asking.
Giantvanman
MB Enthusiast
v8dve
Active Member
It never ceases to amaze me why van manufacturers are totally unable to design and weld in lock plates....
D
Deleted member 37751
Guest
Another great bit of design by Mercedes; we had a Sprinter broken into a cleared out in less than a couple of minutes using a similar tactic to what's happened to yours.
v8dve
Active Member
Yep exactly. I used to work for a manufacturer (not vehicle) and we wanted to fit a safety item to reduce warranty repairs. Company view was £1 per 1 million items sold versus £100k warranty claims. They were not interested in trying to sell a better product for £1 more.
It would be interesting to poll some van owners and ask them if, given the option of a cheaper radio or better security with welded lock plates, which they would prefer...
StMarks
MB Enthusiast
As part of my "van improvement project", I have the internal panels off my Vito 639 at the moment.
Does anyone have any suggestions for how I could easily install a preventative "protection upgrade" at this stage.?
(Sorry for the slight thread hijack Raeray, but it's kinda related...)
Does anyone have any suggestions for how I could easily install a preventative "protection upgrade" at this stage.?
(Sorry for the slight thread hijack Raeray, but it's kinda related...)
Vitobrabus
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2014
- Messages
- 80
- Car
- Vito Sport X
Separate deadlocks are the way to go. I have them and armaplate protection over the standard locks. You can also get the windows lamented.
