CL-Class (W215) Door soft close mechanism repair
07-23-2017, 02:23 PM
#26
Member
Geraldius, an incredibly detailed thread! Awesome work.
A very good example of why I have a great mechanic and I leave this stuff to him. Nothing like the 60's cars that I used to wrench myself. So now I devote my time to driving them, not fixing them. ��
A very good example of why I have a great mechanic and I leave this stuff to him. Nothing like the 60's cars that I used to wrench myself. So now I devote my time to driving them, not fixing them. ��
07-24-2017, 10:36 AM
#27
Member
Thread Starter
Indeed. There's a 1965 Mustang and a 1949 Buick in the shop that differ very little from one another in terms of technology. Today's cars have gotten so vastly more complex than 'back in the day'.
07-24-2017, 10:51 AM
#28
Member
Good eye Nick! I didn't notice when taking the photos. Yes, it is a four post lift. Besides getting cars in the air for doing work, it lets me keep an extra car parked on it to free up room in the shop.
Indeed. There's a 1965 Mustang and a 1949 Buick in the shop that differ very little from one another in terms of technology. Today's cars have gotten so vastly more complex than 'back in the day'.
Indeed. There's a 1965 Mustang and a 1949 Buick in the shop that differ very little from one another in terms of technology. Today's cars have gotten so vastly more complex than 'back in the day'.
08-10-2017, 11:37 PM
#30
Member
Thread Starter
The following 2 users liked this post by Geraldius:
ButterfieldBob (09-05-2019),
HopefullyE63 (10-09-2020)
08-23-2017, 11:47 AM
#31
Member
Geraldius- I've repaired mine last year without removing it completely from the car. All I did was rolled the window all the way up, removed the inner door panel & removed the assy's screws then tilted it about 45 deg so I can get access to the plastic cup at the bottom. Your instruction is spot on for those that want to remove it completely & do the repair on the bench. Kudos for your effort & very nice write up.
Forum Moderator- This should be made as a sticky as it's very well written & contains such a valuable DIY instruction. Thank you.
Forum Moderator- This should be made as a sticky as it's very well written & contains such a valuable DIY instruction. Thank you.
08-23-2017, 07:59 PM
#32
MBworld Guru
It's going to be hard to answer your questions because some of what you are asking is really subjective. The W209's suspension is not quite as soft or as "luxurious" as the W211, but it is very nice. It's definitely not sport like a BMW, but it's much more composed than say a Mustang.
As for running Michelin Primacies, I did and they were just fine. Much better than the P-Zeros I had before.
As for running Michelin Primacies, I did and they were just fine. Much better than the P-Zeros I had before.
08-24-2017, 12:02 PM
#33
Member
Awiner- Thanks for turning this post into a sticky. Anyway, Mercedes-Benz produces great & beautiful vehicles, however the plastic they use is so terrible. It out-gassed & became very brittle so very susceptible to crack/break. In regards to the soft close's assy, I concur w/ you it's very time consuming to dis-assemble & re-assemble it so what I did w/ the other soft close's assy in the other door was I potted the surrounding of the plastic cup w/ Scotch-Weld's epoxy as it takes a lot of vacuuming pressure to close the heavy door. This way, it'll re-enforce the plastic cup & those flimpsy plastic tabs. Mine has been working great ever since.
Last edited by superfast; 08-24-2017 at 12:05 PM.
10-03-2017, 03:20 PM
#35
Super Member
Soft Close
Great write up. But this just confirms to me that I don't have the skills and tools to do this repair myself.
I had the same problem earlier this year and had it repaired (actually parts replaced) at the dealer. Total cost was $664.78 for parts and $800.00 for labor.
Not cheap these CLs of ours but great cars when running at 100%!
I had the same problem earlier this year and had it repaired (actually parts replaced) at the dealer. Total cost was $664.78 for parts and $800.00 for labor.
Not cheap these CLs of ours but great cars when running at 100%!
02-17-2019, 09:27 PM
#37
Member
Just done it
This thread will document the process for removal and repair of the door soft close mechanism. The car used in this example is a 2005 CL65 AMG with keyless go. The procedure should be the same for all W215 models with perhaps minor differences. This photos in this example are of the driver's (left side) door. The process will be the same but mirror image for the opposite door.
There may be other reasons for needing to disassemble the inner door. But let's assume that your soft close feature is not working. You hear a hissing air sound when the door is partially closed and the closer feature should have pulled it the rest of the way closed, but it doesn't move. There is a good chance that the closer mechanism has a broken diaphragm housing. It is plastic and held together with weak small tabs that break off.
Disclaimer:
This is a very difficult and time consuming project in the sense that there is a great deal of disassembly of the inner door required to gain access to the soft closer mechanism. This job is not for the faint of heart or those not confident in their skills. You can damage or break expensive parts! If in doubt after reviewing this thread, best take it to a professional who will be responsible for anything that goes wrong.
There may be other reasons for needing to disassemble the inner door. But let's assume that your soft close feature is not working. You hear a hissing air sound when the door is partially closed and the closer feature should have pulled it the rest of the way closed, but it doesn't move. There is a good chance that the closer mechanism has a broken diaphragm housing. It is plastic and held together with weak small tabs that break off.
Disclaimer:
This is a very difficult and time consuming project in the sense that there is a great deal of disassembly of the inner door required to gain access to the soft closer mechanism. This job is not for the faint of heart or those not confident in their skills. You can damage or break expensive parts! If in doubt after reviewing this thread, best take it to a professional who will be responsible for anything that goes wrong.
06-18-2019, 12:04 PM
#38
MBWorld Fanatic!
superb write up. really puts everything in perspective for me whether this repair is worth the effort. I guess if I'm already in there repairing upholstery and the door speakers perhaps it makes sense. otherwise, holy crap thats a lot of work to have a soft close door feature lol. its a fancy feature but really how useful is it? most people slam the car door anyways, whether thats passengers, tire shops, etc
08-27-2019, 10:28 PM
#40
Geraldius- I've repaired mine last year without removing it completely from the car. All I did was rolled the window all the way up, removed the inner door panel & removed the assy's screws then tilted it about 45 deg so I can get access to the plastic cup at the bottom. Your instruction is spot on for those that want to remove it completely & do the repair on the bench. Kudos for your effort & very nice write up.
Forum Moderator- This should be made as a sticky as it's very well written & contains such a valuable DIY instruction. Thank you.
Forum Moderator- This should be made as a sticky as it's very well written & contains such a valuable DIY instruction. Thank you.
03-30-2023, 10:21 AM
#44
Super Member
03-30-2023, 11:42 AM
#45
Many thanks! Do you happen to also know the part # for the thin rubber seal that goes on the outside of the door? I highlighted it in red.
