Sticking Trunk Release Handle
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
2006 CLK350 Cabriolet Previous: W203,W202,W201, 2 Porsche 914s, 1965 Jaguar XKE Roadster
Sticking Trunk Release Handle
I've searched all over the forums looking for this topic without any luck..I'm starting to think I'm the only one bothered by this.
My trunk latch handle is obviously grimed up to the point that it sticks in the open position when you squeeze it to open the trunk. In order to get it to return after squeezing, you literally have to wedge your fingernail behind the handle and give it a fairly substantial flick. Sometimes it opens, and sometimes you lose a piece of your fingernail and say naughty words in front of the neighbors kids.
The only thread I found on this was one that suggested flooding the handle with WD-40 and wiping it off. To me, that sounds like a messy shortcut that's going to work for about 2 days. I'd rather take the assembly off, clean it properly and re-lube it so I don't have to worry about it any more, but I can't figure out how to get to the latch assembly. I just replaced my drivers door handle in about 30 minutes...I can't imagine this would be much more of a job than that.
If anyone has done this, I'd really love to know how. The car is great...really nothing major in all these years...I'm just going a little Jack Nicholson on this one. Thanks.
My trunk latch handle is obviously grimed up to the point that it sticks in the open position when you squeeze it to open the trunk. In order to get it to return after squeezing, you literally have to wedge your fingernail behind the handle and give it a fairly substantial flick. Sometimes it opens, and sometimes you lose a piece of your fingernail and say naughty words in front of the neighbors kids.
The only thread I found on this was one that suggested flooding the handle with WD-40 and wiping it off. To me, that sounds like a messy shortcut that's going to work for about 2 days. I'd rather take the assembly off, clean it properly and re-lube it so I don't have to worry about it any more, but I can't figure out how to get to the latch assembly. I just replaced my drivers door handle in about 30 minutes...I can't imagine this would be much more of a job than that.
If anyone has done this, I'd really love to know how. The car is great...really nothing major in all these years...I'm just going a little Jack Nicholson on this one. Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 11
From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
I'm assuming you can take off the trunk liner and be able to see the trunk handle and remove it. Then I'd clean it off with something like simple green or a degreaser to get all the gunk off then spray the joints with a silicone lube. Thats what I'd do anyways. hope that helps or maybe someone here has done it
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL
2003 C320 4Matic
i had this problem after my sister had the car, it would get stuck pinched together, i didn't have to remove it i just pushed it back with a flathead into its original position, then while washing the car i sprayed up under there and wiped it as far into the crevace as i could with one of those quick wipes for cars (like armor all leather protectant, even though that one sucks but thats the most common one), and then sprayed some WD40 up there (had a towel handy for when it started to run onto the car, i didnt think that stuff would be too nice to my paint)
problem solved =)
edit, wow, just actually read your post and i can see the method i did is exactly what you said you didnt want to do lol.. so i guess if you give up removing the handle, you've got instructions for the cheap messy shortcut, you said part of the reason you didnt want to do that was because it would only last 2 days, but mine hasnt stuck for like 3 years now (i fixed it before i was given the car, my mom complained about it and so when i was washing the cars i fixed it for her), and since then it hasnt had an issue, and i'm in and outta the trunk alot, i hate having stuff in the cabin
problem solved =)
edit, wow, just actually read your post and i can see the method i did is exactly what you said you didnt want to do lol.. so i guess if you give up removing the handle, you've got instructions for the cheap messy shortcut, you said part of the reason you didnt want to do that was because it would only last 2 days, but mine hasnt stuck for like 3 years now (i fixed it before i was given the car, my mom complained about it and so when i was washing the cars i fixed it for her), and since then it hasnt had an issue, and i'm in and outta the trunk alot, i hate having stuff in the cabin
Last edited by 03MBC320; May 21, 2010 at 02:52 PM.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 3
From: Chicago
08 E350 4MATIC
Wow, I had the same issue with my trunk release sticking last fall.
Damn thing would trip an SOS call every time I started the car.
Not always easy to convince the wife (who is no longer...) to just use the key instead. Oh well.
I actually pulled the latch module out of the trunk lid, sprayed it up with some penetrating oil, worked the mechanism a few times, then re-assembled.
Unfortunately, it didn't stop sticking until the day I came home from cleaning
out the house of a brother-in-law who passed away several weeks later.
At least it saved me from purchasing a new latch module - 7 months or so and it has not stuck once again...
Damn thing would trip an SOS call every time I started the car.
Not always easy to convince the wife (who is no longer...) to just use the key instead. Oh well.
I actually pulled the latch module out of the trunk lid, sprayed it up with some penetrating oil, worked the mechanism a few times, then re-assembled.
Unfortunately, it didn't stop sticking until the day I came home from cleaning
out the house of a brother-in-law who passed away several weeks later.
At least it saved me from purchasing a new latch module - 7 months or so and it has not stuck once again...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
My latch is not grimed up but still sticks, tried spraying with silicon, a teflon spray and nothing seems to solve this sticking latch problem. Any other solutions other than buying a complete new part? I also pulled the latch assembly and tried to lubricate the pivots, can't seem to find what is binding it
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach, CA
02 C320 custom
Wow, I had the same issue with my trunk release sticking last fall.
Damn thing would trip an SOS call every time I started the car.
Not always easy to convince the wife (who is no longer...) to just use the key instead. Oh well.
I actually pulled the latch module out of the trunk lid, sprayed it up with some penetrating oil, worked the mechanism a few times, then re-assembled.
Unfortunately, it didn't stop sticking until the day I came home from cleaning
out the house of a brother-in-law who passed away several weeks later.
At least it saved me from purchasing a new latch module - 7 months or so and it has not stuck once again...
Damn thing would trip an SOS call every time I started the car.
Not always easy to convince the wife (who is no longer...) to just use the key instead. Oh well.
I actually pulled the latch module out of the trunk lid, sprayed it up with some penetrating oil, worked the mechanism a few times, then re-assembled.
Unfortunately, it didn't stop sticking until the day I came home from cleaning
out the house of a brother-in-law who passed away several weeks later.
At least it saved me from purchasing a new latch module - 7 months or so and it has not stuck once again...
Mine does the same thing with the SOS light coming on. I thought about trying the WD-40 trick and seeing if that works....
I do recall this happening on the last mechanism on my other trunk lid that I ended up replacing since it was damaged.
