Door check strap
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS
2002 C230 Coupe
Door check strap
On my recent purchase, 2002 C230 Coupe, the driver's side door check strap is pushed into the door so it no longer holds the door open. Can't see the attachment, but feeling for the holes it feels like the upper bolt hole is torn through and the lower one clean, like the lower bolt came loose and the upper then tore out.
On a previous BMW, this was a known problem, and factory developed a reinforcement plate to go on the outside of the door to give those bolts more meat to clamp on. Does Mercedes have something similar??
Thanks for helping the noob
On a previous BMW, this was a known problem, and factory developed a reinforcement plate to go on the outside of the door to give those bolts more meat to clamp on. Does Mercedes have something similar??
Thanks for helping the noob
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
Let me double-check in the evening, but I think you may just need a washer in there.
If I remember correctly, the bolts are part of the attachment, and it's secured by nuts on the outside...
If I remember correctly, the bolts are part of the attachment, and it's secured by nuts on the outside...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS
2002 C230 Coupe
OK, pulled the door check strap and it was as I guess from the preliminary braille inspection. Lower screw was missing, and then bending the check against the one upper screw fatigue cracked the hole. Can't expect one bolt to hold for long...
Happy surprise was that 1/4in fender washers fit into the recess in the door where the check bolts in. So longer bolts and fender washers solve the problem.
Happy surprise was that 1/4in fender washers fit into the recess in the door where the check bolts in. So longer bolts and fender washers solve the problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
Hmm, maybe it's different in coupes...
I checked mine yesterday and the studs are part of the check that goes inside the door.
The nuts on the outside fasten it.
See the picture: click
And it's interesting that the hole is cracked, as the force is supposed to be applied in the other direction, kind of pulling the check out of the door, not pushing it in...
I checked mine yesterday and the studs are part of the check that goes inside the door.
The nuts on the outside fasten it.
See the picture: click
And it's interesting that the hole is cracked, as the force is supposed to be applied in the other direction, kind of pulling the check out of the door, not pushing it in...
Last edited by VVF; Aug 28, 2014 at 02:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS
2002 C230 Coupe
You're right, VVF, there's a lot more force when the door hits the end of the check strap than when pushing it back in -- especially in our Kansas wind. But it takes a whole handful of force to push the regulator back closed, too. It doesn't feel like it because of the leverage you get from swinging the door. If you ever have a door check out in your hand try pushing it in and out.
But with one bolt missing, even that lesser force will work the metal over time as the check rocks on the one remaining bolt and bends the metal back and forth. I'm sure the door took lots of swings that way before it finally gave out.
And I'd expect the difference between attaching with bolts on mine and nuts on yours is likely due to model year rather than me having a coupe. Mine is 2002.
But with one bolt missing, even that lesser force will work the metal over time as the check rocks on the one remaining bolt and bends the metal back and forth. I'm sure the door took lots of swings that way before it finally gave out.
And I'd expect the difference between attaching with bolts on mine and nuts on yours is likely due to model year rather than me having a coupe. Mine is 2002.
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