W124 estate soft close - Should they all have it?

[BlueQuinn]

Should my 300TE have the self-closing catch on the tailgate? Were they standard fit?

Mine just seems to be a normal slam-to-close catch, and there's no evidence of electric motors kicking in.

 

[Sp!ke]

I dont think the W124 estate ever had soft close. Didnt that come in with the W140 model?

 

[brucemillar]

My 300TE 4matic has no soft close. It has the inbuilt decapitation gravitational slam device.

 

[DITTRICH]

I think that all s124's had the soft close motor driven locking mechanism.
Certainly it's helpful when in the 6-7th seat closing or opening the rear door from the inside.

 

[brucemillar]

I think that all s124's had the soft close motor driven locking mechanism.
Certainly it's helpful when in the 6-7th seat closing or opening the rear door from the inside.

So mine may have it but just not working? Mine is a 1985?

 

[BlueQuinn]

Any really easy way to check without dismantling half the car?

 

[mejermy]

All had it. Pull off the tailgate bottom edge plate (8 or 10ish plug/screws), then the lower inside lining which is under the tailgate window and you should see the motor.

 

[kingdave]

My 300TE 4matic has no soft close. It has the inbuilt decapitation gravitational slam device.

As above, the tailgate should have soft-close, i.e. motor assistance in latching it shut. You still have to pull the lid down yourself.

If yours has an inbuilt decapitational slam device, does that mean it falls unless you hold it up because the gas struts are tired/failed?
Mine used to be like that but it is fixable, even I managed to do it myself - about the only car fixing thing I have ever done. Cost in April 2013 was about £45 for the new struts from ebay. Looks like there are more options now so it could come down to more like £30 from GSF

 

[brucemillar]

As above, the tailgate should have soft-close, i.e. motor assistance in latching it shut. You still have to pull the lid down yourself.

If yours has an inbuilt decapitational slam device, does that mean it falls unless you hold it up because the gas struts are tired/failed?
Mine used to be like that but it is fixable, even I managed to do it myself - about the only car fixing thing I have ever done. Cost in April 2013 was about £45 for the new struts from ebay. Looks like there are more options now so it could come down to more like £30 from GSF

No it does stay up on it's own (Ooh Vicar naughty). But you prompted me to go up and have a look at the old girl (still in her winter resting place).

As I shut the tailgate I do hear the whirr of electric motors. However the actual last few inches before closure seem not to involve anything that could be confused with "soft closure". New gas struts could well be the way forward. Sadly I need a new gearbox before I get to that point. All donations are gratefully received.

 

[kingdave]

With mine, you close the tailgate softly, and the latching is done by the motor - no more than the last 1cm of travel is handled by this though.

I wince just about every time someone else closes it, because they always assume they've got to hurl it shut as hard as they can.

 

[brucemillar]

With mine, you close the tailgate softly, and the latching is done by the motor - no more than the last 1cm of travel is handled by this though.

I wince just about every time someone else closes it, because they always assume they've got to hurl it shut as hard as they can.

With each post you write I feel a little bit more dumb. I think you just described how it should work.

 

[GP801]

That is exactly how it does work. Mine also has the automatic boot closure - perhaps weak springs but i am not totally convinced by this. It sometimes does stay open. I wonder if its the weight of the extra speakers in the tailgate that upsets the balance. Reluctant to have new springs if they wont solve the issue.

 

[BlueQuinn]

Oh well I've just tested and listened very carefully but pushing my tailgate to the first latch doesn't do anything. No motors, no pulling it shut. Mine mustn't be working.

 

[kingdave]

I infer from this: 124 Estate - knackered tailgate / affect on electrics - Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums
That your problem with the motor is likely to either be broken wires in the flexible rubber tube trunking that electrically links the tailgate with the roof of the car or the motor itself.

Regarding saggy tailgate springs... When parked on the flat, my tailgate used to stay up when placed in the top-most position, but if I was parked on a hill nose high, it would fall down so I'd have to load the boot one-handed. Parked on a hill or not, the boot lid was pretty heavy to lift.

Replacing the springs made it easy to open the boot, one finger, and the hatch stays open regardless of the gradient, very satisfying.

 

[jaymanek]

Yes all of them have it... Mine wasnt working at first, replaced it... you can get the mechanisms for next to nothing on ebay or ebay germany...

 

[brucemillar]

Yes all of them have it... Mine wasnt working at first, replaced it... you can get the mechanisms for next to nothing on ebay or ebay germany...

Well I can confirm not only does mine have it !! It works !!! The issue that I thought I had was down to me not realising that just letting the tailgate actually close itself does indeed close it softly-ish.

I have learned something new again. Thank you.