Broken Inside Door Handle
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2006 CLK350 Cabriolet Previous: W203,W202,W201, 2 Porsche 914s, 1965 Jaguar XKE Roadster
Broken Inside Door Handle
On my way out to lunch today, I pulled my drivers door shut, and the inside handle popped off of the door at the top. I searched the forum and found a thread about this last September. The piece is called a grip rail, and apparently, it's not that uncommon to have it break off on the drivers or passengers side.
Back then Drex said the part was available at oempartsdirect.com, but I put the part number in (20381016517213) and no luck. I can't find this part on the web anywhere as a matter of fact. I was going to try and save the labor by replacing it myself. Hopefully, the door panel isn't too ridiculous to take off (I'm assuming I'll have to remove it).
I just get squirrely when removing anything that contains an airbag. I envision removing the panel one second, and having my legs sticking out of the sunroof the next.
Anyway, if anyone has done this fix, and has any tips on how to do it, I'd really appreciate it. I'll just get the part from the dealer...I've been spending a lot of time at that parts counter lately...i hope that trend ends soon.
Thanks!
Back then Drex said the part was available at oempartsdirect.com, but I put the part number in (20381016517213) and no luck. I can't find this part on the web anywhere as a matter of fact. I was going to try and save the labor by replacing it myself. Hopefully, the door panel isn't too ridiculous to take off (I'm assuming I'll have to remove it).
I just get squirrely when removing anything that contains an airbag. I envision removing the panel one second, and having my legs sticking out of the sunroof the next.
Anyway, if anyone has done this fix, and has any tips on how to do it, I'd really appreciate it. I'll just get the part from the dealer...I've been spending a lot of time at that parts counter lately...i hope that trend ends soon.
Thanks!
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
there's a thread on here somewhere that details the door panel removal.
Don't worry if you follow the steps, you won't end up with broken ribs and busted ear-drums !
Part should be cheap, even at the dealer. If you build a great relationship with the Parts Counter, ask to be placed on their wholesale list... that's like getting a 10%-20% discount every time.
Carlos
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
Saprissa@aol.com
Don't worry if you follow the steps, you won't end up with broken ribs and busted ear-drums !
Part should be cheap, even at the dealer. If you build a great relationship with the Parts Counter, ask to be placed on their wholesale list... that's like getting a 10%-20% discount every time.
Carlos
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
Saprissa@aol.com
#3
Super Moderator
![](https://staticssl.ibsrv.net/autocomm/Content/MB/mbwambassador2.gif)
[QUOTE=Kompressive;3041021]
I just get squirrely when removing anything that contains an airbag. I envision removing the panel one second, and having my legs sticking out of the sunroof the next.QUOTE]
Oh! that's funny - you just made my day![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
I just get squirrely when removing anything that contains an airbag. I envision removing the panel one second, and having my legs sticking out of the sunroof the next.QUOTE]
Oh! that's funny - you just made my day
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2003 C240
On my way out to lunch today, I pulled my drivers door shut, and the inside handle popped off of the door at the top. I searched the forum and found a thread about this last September. The piece is called a grip rail, and apparently, it's not that uncommon to have it break off on the drivers or passengers side.
Back then Drex said the part was available at oempartsdirect.com, but I put the part number in (20381016517213) and no luck. I can't find this part on the web anywhere as a matter of fact. I was going to try and save the labor by replacing it myself. Hopefully, the door panel isn't too ridiculous to take off (I'm assuming I'll have to remove it).
I just get squirrely when removing anything that contains an airbag. I envision removing the panel one second, and having my legs sticking out of the sunroof the next.
Anyway, if anyone has done this fix, and has any tips on how to do it, I'd really appreciate it. I'll just get the part from the dealer...I've been spending a lot of time at that parts counter lately...i hope that trend ends soon.
Thanks!
Back then Drex said the part was available at oempartsdirect.com, but I put the part number in (20381016517213) and no luck. I can't find this part on the web anywhere as a matter of fact. I was going to try and save the labor by replacing it myself. Hopefully, the door panel isn't too ridiculous to take off (I'm assuming I'll have to remove it).
I just get squirrely when removing anything that contains an airbag. I envision removing the panel one second, and having my legs sticking out of the sunroof the next.
Anyway, if anyone has done this fix, and has any tips on how to do it, I'd really appreciate it. I'll just get the part from the dealer...I've been spending a lot of time at that parts counter lately...i hope that trend ends soon.
Thanks!
Call/email these guys: http://catalog.mercedesshop.com/
Always get good prices from them.
Good luck.
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Orange County
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes
on
15 Posts
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
In addition to the part number, you also need a color code for the grip rail. Just saying grey or tan will not work. The dealer parts computer will get the right rail if you give your VIN.
Prior to touching the door panel, you should disarm the airbag to prevent a canvas imprint on your puss.
It is much easier to remove the door panel if you also buy a wedge tool from the dealer when you buy the grip.
Prior to touching the door panel, you should disarm the airbag to prevent a canvas imprint on your puss.
It is much easier to remove the door panel if you also buy a wedge tool from the dealer when you buy the grip.
Trending Topics
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2006 CLK350 Cabriolet Previous: W203,W202,W201, 2 Porsche 914s, 1965 Jaguar XKE Roadster
Thanks for the info everyone. I was just browsing last night and found this site. In addition to the door handle replacement, it's got some other good DIY info, complete with photos.
I'm probably the last one to find this place, but I thought I would share it, in case someone finds it helpful.
http://www.installuniversity.com/mb/...rabhandle.html
I'm probably the last one to find this place, but I thought I would share it, in case someone finds it helpful.
http://www.installuniversity.com/mb/...rabhandle.html