C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

Trunk spring explosion! hahaha! DIY Repair

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Feb 24, 2010 | 03:42 PM
  #1  
LawRens's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 1
From: Norcal
43
Trunk spring explosion! hahaha! DIY Repair

Okay, so yesterday i was backing out of my driveway, and i stop so i could look at the buttons to close the garage. Out of nowhere, i just hear this HUGE clang from somewhere around the car! I thought it was the tranny that decided to fall apart on me, so i threw it in park, hit the parking brake, and got out. Did a quick check around the car to make sure it wasn't anything else, then looked under the car to see if there were any fluids leaking.

After two minutes of visual diagnostics, it seemed like nothing was wrong. But i was confused crapless as to what sound that was. I get back in the car, hit reverse and the car rolls backward like normal. Okay, scratch the tranny problem.

I get to my destination, and park. I pull the trunk lever in the center console as usual, and i hear it open in the back. I go out to lift open the trunk (it's set to not swing open originally), but then notice it's extremely hard to lift it! And that's when it hit me that the spring that helps lift the trunk snapped! It takes a good amount of force to lift the trunk, and if it's not up all the way it'll just slam down with alot of force. ohnooo!

I haven't had time to see if the spring actually snapped, or if it simply fell out. In the near future i'm going to check it out and DIY guide a repair on this thread. But just out of curiosity, has this happened to anyone before?
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2010 | 05:42 PM
  #2  
KJI3jflarryfe93's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 0
Likes: 36
Originally Posted by thepinoc
Okay, so yesterday i was backing out of my driveway, and i stop so i could look at the buttons to close the garage. Out of nowhere, i just hear this HUGE clang from somewhere around the car! I thought it was the tranny that decided to fall apart on me, so i threw it in park, hit the parking brake, and got out. Did a quick check around the car to make sure it wasn't anything else, then looked under the car to see if there were any fluids leaking.

After two minutes of visual diagnostics, it seemed like nothing was wrong. But i was confused crapless as to what sound that was. I get back in the car, hit reverse and the car rolls backward like normal. Okay, scratch the tranny problem.

I get to my destination, and park. I pull the trunk lever in the center console as usual, and i hear it open in the back. I go out to lift open the trunk (it's set to not swing open originally), but then notice it's extremely hard to lift it! And that's when it hit me that the spring that helps lift the trunk snapped! It takes a good amount of force to lift the trunk, and if it's not up all the way it'll just slam down with alot of force. ohnooo!

I haven't had time to see if the spring actually snapped, or if it simply fell out. In the near future i'm going to check it out and DIY guide a repair on this thread. But just out of curiosity, has this happened to anyone before?
those springs do snap off occasionaly!
there has been others who reported this ****!
I bet it's to much stress on the spring and it breaks!

lucky for you it didn't blow up in your face!
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2010 | 11:21 AM
  #3  
scottiemac's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
97 C280, 06 530i, 99 Carrera Cab, 00 Suburban
This happened to my C280. The spring doesnt break but the attachment point breaks off. I just re-attached the front part of the spring to another hole in the trunk hinge arm. It stretches the spring a bit tighter and the trunk pops open a bit quicker but it works. In the summer I'll weld the broken part back on and reinforce it a bit. Should be fine.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2010 | 03:25 PM
  #4  
LawRens's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 1
From: Norcal
43
Originally Posted by scottiemac
This happened to my C280. The spring doesnt break but the attachment point breaks off. I just re-attached the front part of the spring to another hole in the trunk hinge arm. It stretches the spring a bit tighter and the trunk pops open a bit quicker but it works. In the summer I'll weld the broken part back on and reinforce it a bit. Should be fine.
Ah, nice bit of info right there. Thanks! I was actually about to crack open the car today and take a look at it, but it seems i might just have to do what you did. I assume we have to rip off a side of the trunk liner to get to the spring?
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2010 | 07:19 PM
  #5  
scottiemac's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
97 C280, 06 530i, 99 Carrera Cab, 00 Suburban
Yeah. you have to pull off the trunk liner. I'm getting good at it as I just had to take off the bumper due to some minor collision damage.
Good luck.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:50 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE