2001 C240 W203 - Wheel liner stud clip broken
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 10
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From: Toronto, Canada
2001 Mercedes C240 Base
2001 C240 W203 - Wheel liner stud clip broken
Hi there,
I just wanted to see if other forum members have better ideas...
I have a 2001 MB c240 base and went to remove the wheel liner for the back 2 wheels so I could rustproof with POR15 paint.
As you know, our W203 cars have a seam in the rear wheel well / arch that tends to accumulate mud and water so it rusts out there.
Anyways, as I was removing the liner; the studs for the clips broke. At first, I wasn't too worried as clips are cheap... then I realized that MB had welded the bolt onto the frame.
Since I have no experience with a welder, I tried to JB weld it but even with the kwik weld; the new bolts i tried to use fell off.
In the end, I took a dremel/drill... poked a couple of new holes in the liner and then used plastic zip ties to secure it to the shock absorber.
What a PITA.
Has anyone else encountered this problem and do you have any suggestions/ideas on a better fix.
Thanks
I just wanted to see if other forum members have better ideas...
I have a 2001 MB c240 base and went to remove the wheel liner for the back 2 wheels so I could rustproof with POR15 paint.
As you know, our W203 cars have a seam in the rear wheel well / arch that tends to accumulate mud and water so it rusts out there.
Anyways, as I was removing the liner; the studs for the clips broke. At first, I wasn't too worried as clips are cheap... then I realized that MB had welded the bolt onto the frame.
Since I have no experience with a welder, I tried to JB weld it but even with the kwik weld; the new bolts i tried to use fell off.
In the end, I took a dremel/drill... poked a couple of new holes in the liner and then used plastic zip ties to secure it to the shock absorber.
What a PITA.
Has anyone else encountered this problem and do you have any suggestions/ideas on a better fix.
Thanks
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
I had one brake off but I was lucky and it never has been an issue I will say that mine broke because I was an idiot but it was rusted a little. I would say you could try to drill it out and get to the other side of the panel with a new screw and attach it in place somehow depending on where it is.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
2001 Mercedes C240 Base
Yea, I ended up just zip tieing it.
My fear was that I would hit something critical on the other side of the sheet metal and/or compromise the sheet metal for rust to form.
not that it really matters on a 13 year old car as it's lifespan is limited.
having said that; only 115,000 km on the car.
My fear was that I would hit something critical on the other side of the sheet metal and/or compromise the sheet metal for rust to form.
not that it really matters on a 13 year old car as it's lifespan is limited.
having said that; only 115,000 km on the car.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
Oh your from Toronto I am sure you have enough rust to deal with already lol
Zip tie will probably outlast the car anyway so good move!!
I am going to take a road trip to Toronto next month!!
Zip tie will probably outlast the car anyway so good move!!
I am going to take a road trip to Toronto next month!!
