Boot not springing open

[wigs_1]

Hi
1) The boot doesn't spring open when I trigger it, it just pops up an inch.
2) If I give it a hand it then races up to bash the rear window.
It now does this after I re-attached the spring properly on the LHS as before it was held together with cable ties!!

I'm sure I have something missing, like a damper of some sort and maybe something to "set it off" once the boot catch has released.

Pics attached. Its the same on both sides.
All comments gratefully recieved
Cheers, Chris

 

[KillerHERTZ]

The same has happened to me. Remove all boot trim and no doubt you should find 2 of these:

Its a Design fault with the facelift W202s, they snap/break off very easily due to how thin/the force needed to hold them.
They will need welding back on in order to have a fully opening boot...

A couple of previous posts on this:

HERE

HERE

Id remove the cable ties if I were you and attach the springs to the hole remaining on the chassis for the meanwhile. One day those ties will fail and could cause you injury!

 

[wigs_1]

Boot opening fixed !!

Cheers for the reply

I can't be bothered taking the boot off and getting it welded. The bit that broke off I found under the spare wheel and it looks a little flimsy so what I did was...........

I moved one of the springs up a notch to help the boot up and give it some oomph, then I used some old sailing rope and some rather fetching pink elastic as the "damper". I had to do this on both sides to get it to work correctly.

I did have to remove a spring, then climb partly in the boot and close the boot on myself in order to tie up the elastic and get the desired tension but it now opens smoothly and doesn't try to take out the rear windscreen when it gets to the top.

See pics for the "engineered solution". Hope you like it.....

Chris

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Looks good!, does the boot completely open upright then?


The welding is done on the chassis, not the boot but I agree its to much effort

 

[wigs_1]

Looks good!, does the boot completely open upright then?

As good as! The knots in the elastic make it "adjustable".

 

[Shude]

Yesterday I popped open the boot with the keyfob, the bootlid has been lazy for the last few months and not flown up like it used to.

*pop*

<lifts slightly>

*bang*

<closes again>

Well, I suppose the bracket has broken off then!

EDIT: forgot to add that the bootlid weighs a TON when it has no assistance!

 

[Dieselman]

There is a rubber end stop missing in this photo. It should stall the hinge before the boot rises too far.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10601&stc=1&d=1210883665

 

[KillerHERTZ]

EDIT: forgot to add that the bootlid weighs a TON when it has no assistance!

Wait until you try and stretch the spring over a new clip

Expect alot of swearing!

Im surprised yours has lasted so long!

 

[Shude]

Wait until you try and stretch the spring over a new clip

Expect alot of swearing!

Im surprised yours has lasted so long!

At almost 10 years old and 175k on the clock I think it's done well! I open and close the boot a lot as well because I have to park on the road so can't leave it open while loading and unloading.

I will attempt to take out all the boot trim to see what can be done. I suppose I should take it to a workshop to have the brackets welded back on again, at least if the all the interior is missing it should cost me a bit less to repair bearing in mind I have no income atm

 

[Dieselman]

Would a small U clamp work or would it foul something.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

The easist solution is to simply stretch the spring onto the other hole on the chassis arm. (what I have done)

The bootlid will open, but only spring open 1cm.

(Its a total Biatch to do though )

 

[Shude]

I'm busy this weekend but if I get chance I will start work on the boot and take some decent pics of it.

 

[Dieselman]

The easist solution is to simply stretch the spring onto the other hole on the chassis arm. (what I have done)

The bootlid will open, but only spring open 1cm.

(Its a total Biatch to do though )

I thought the spring retainer on the hinge had gone, not the one on the body.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

I thought the spring retainer on the hinge had gone, not the one on the body.

As far as I know Shudes problem will be the same as everyone elses.

As per this picture below, the piece of mental will have snapped off, if you look closely at the tip of the arrow there is another hole which can be used as a solution, but not a cure.

 

[Laters]

Dragging the thread up from the dead.
I went to open my boot this morning. Pressed the button on the remote as I walked upto the car.
The boot went half up as usuall then a big bang and the boot dropped shut.

I guess that the brackets have failed like everyone elses. Looks like its time to get the welder out.
Ive got a small spoiler in the shed all painted and waiting to go on. Only reason I havent fit it is I knew id have to adjust the boot springs to keep it opening like it did from the remote.

Looks like my hand has been forced on this matter now.