auto closing on 124estate

[mattc]

hi all

estate boot just falls and slams if its allowed to drop - no damping/self-closing effect.

any ideas what has failed and what I would need to do to remedy it?

thanks in advance,

matt

 

[grober]

hydraulic struts gone? see http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w124-e-ce-d-td-class/243463-replacing-w124-wagon-hatch-struts.html
I think you need to partly remove the headlining

 

[mattc]

thanks for that Grober. guess i had better order the parts.

anyone know the part numbers?

 

[grober]

Not sure of what age your car is but this will give you an idea. http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.433&CT=F&cat=15U&SID=74&SGR=015&SGN=01

 

[mattc]

Grober, thanks for the pic. The car is a 93 e280t BTW.

If I replace the strut do you think I need any of the other parts in the diagram renewed at the same time (bolts etc)?

 

[grober]

Its almost impossible to say before you take it to bits. Apart from the cylinders/springs 26 themselves Looking at the parts diagram I would probably renew the pins 35, have 4 clips 32 on hand and depending on visual inspection which you may be able to do before stripping 2 off grommets 17 and 2 off expansion plugs 20 depends if they are in good nick or not. The real unknown are any interior trim/headlining clips/pins which often break when you remove inner cladding for the first time. Only thing is to take it to bits and see. Make sure you quote your chassis number to the merc parts counter when ordering!! The springs part number A1249800164 are quoted at £34-94 plus vat each+ carriage at Inchcape site. http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/home/

I would feel happier if Bolide or one of out resident estate car experts would care to comment on what I have said so far in case there are any hidden snags I havn't mentioned??

 

[mattc]

I would feel happier if it don't need doing!!


I would feel happier if Bolide or one of out resident estate car experts would care to comment on what I have said so far in case there are any hidden snags I havn't mentioned??[/quote]

Cheers for the info - you confirmed what i was thinking so i guess its better to be safe than sorry

 

[andy_k]

is it just slamming shut or has the soft closing failed as well?

to find out just lower the boot lid manually and see if it still pulls itself shut.

changing the rear struts is a pig of a job and be ready for skinned knuckles and either a sore head or legs when the rear door inevitable slams itself shut

Best tackled with two people, a large amount of alcohol and no real plans for the rest of the day

andy

 

[mattc]

andy k

the soft closing has failed. the boot just slams shut if you let go. Is that not one and the same thing then?

thanks for the cheery advice on hoe to spend a day

 

[Ian B Walker]

andy k

the soft closing has failed. the boot just slams shut if you let go. Is that not one and the same thing then?

Nope two separate issues

 

[grober]

I am now beginning to doubt whether my suggested solution fits the problem. If the struts/springs I am talking about have failed completely (1) the door won't stay open when opened fully and (2) there will be virtually no resistance to it falling shut. This is a different problem from the "soft closing" issue which involves the complicated locking mechanism. http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.433&CT=F&cat=15U&SID=74&SGR=030&SGN=02

However---- the 2 problems could be related since they both interact together as the door is shut.

 

[andy_k]

That's why i suggested lowering the rear door by hand to make sure the powered catch still worked.

If the struts are gone they are worth fixing, if the lock has failed then unless you can find a decent second hand one it's probably going to be too expensive to fix - I believe the lock mech is about £300

Andy

 

[mattc]

update-struts work fine; its the powered catch that is up the proverbial.

I will look to see if a wire/connector issue but Ian Walker tells me they are expensive (£175+vat) to replace from new so i think i will leave as is

thanks for the input guys; you have stopped me buying unnecessary struts!

 

[jaymanek]

i remember reading that the power close going wrong is usually due to water getting where it shouldnt due to blocked drains IIRC... someone on another forum managed to dry it out and get it going again...

 

[mattc]

thanks for that clue Jay. will look for water ingress

 

[mattc]

update

found the mechanism had been disconnected via the 3 pin plug on RHS of the tailgate!!. the motor is cycling but not 'catching'...would guess this is the reason it was disconnected in the first place - Is there a 'common' part of the mechanism that disengages over time that needs re-connecting. any suggestions where to look?

All in all good news to a degree i guess. will let Mr Walker look at it next time that way if not able to sort in the meantime.

 

[television]

PM me with your Email address and I will send you the set instructions

 

[mattc]

PM me with your Email address and I will send you the set instructions

you have PM

 

[television]

you have PM

I am tooooooooo pickled to night and will send in the morning if I wake up

 

[mattc]

a**e!! been on the sauce since early afternoon..correspond tomorow when I have no joy with destructions