leaninlowla

I recently bought a 2000 c280 W202 from a family member becauseit was in pretty good condition and has 43,000 miles. The past few days I noticedthe driver’s inner door handle had some slack until yesterday, it eventuallysnapped leaving the handle completely limp. My question for my fellow benzdrivers is, How do I fix this? Is there a DIY? I have searched and came up withno results. Im afraid of breaking anything else and potentially setting off theairbag. Can I just buy the cable from my local stealership and reattach it oris it a job I should leave to the professionals?

ptcruiser

Have you ever removed a door panel?

leaninlowla

I am removed all the clips and two screws but stopped because I didnt want the airbag to explode in my face. Does anyone have a tutorial on how to fix it myself? What parts would I need? The door handle cable tore. I will try to post pictures tomorrow

Tony_AMG

if you mean the door pull handle, i think its a one time type of use, unless you can save it from breaking at removal. Ive never could get them of easiliy and yes to take off door panel you ned to remove pull handle for sure.

ptcruiser

Why do you think the airbag would inflate. Removing a door panel is a standard service item. The airbag responds to impact.The inner part is quite easy, and about a 20 minute job if you know what your doing.

leaninlowla

im going to fix the door one day this weekend. Thanks for the reassurance with the airbag, im going to disconnect the battery to be safe. Does anyone have a "do it yourself" link with pictures or a video?

ptcruiser

Here is where you go. Unscrew the interior door open and close post. Check the interior door panel for plastic cover clips covering screws. If there are any, remove those very carefully with a tiny screwdriver. Remove the speaker grill at the bottom of the door. The screws are under the grill, so you might have to lay on your back to see them. Carefully remove the grill. There are 4 screws holding the speaker in place, remove those and gently pull the speaker straight out, The will be a clip holding the speaker wire to the door speaker cable. Set it aside, and now use a thin flat piece of metal about 2 or 3 inches wide. (you can use a screwdriver if your really careful not to crimp the door panel. Slide the flat metal or screwdriver between the door panel and the door and gently pry the door panel). There are clips holding the door panel to the door, and they will pop out of the door, but stay with the door panel. Once all the clips (bottom and both sides) have been popped, you lift up on the door panel and it will lift out from the window channel. You need to maneuver the door panel to get the interior door handle through the door panel. When the panel is off you will see the interior door handle is connected to a rod with a clip. Pop the clip, and remove the rod from the handle.
That's it. Reverse the procedure to reinstall.
Estimated time 20 minutes.