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My exterior door handle has decided to break... The handle itself actuates, but there is a distinct lack of tactile feedback from the interior latch mechanism. I've identified the point of failure, which is a plastic piece that attaches the vertical metal pall/rod that connects the main hulking plastic door latch assembly and the exterior handle. It opens in half (in a clamshell configuration), and mine appears to have lost considerable clamping power. This was determined by opening and reattaching the plastic clip to the pall, which restored handle functionality for about 3 actual door openings until (I imagine) the plastic piece slipped down the ribbed part of the pall, both shown below: plastic piece that is slipping is circled.
The pall actuates the door latch to the point juuust prior to actually releasing the latch, and zip-tying the clasp shut did not improve the clamping force of the clasp..
My main question to you is... How do I source this piece?
It does not appear on any MB diagrams, and I cannot find any listings for it for w211, w215, or w216 platforms.
Have any of you had luck sourcing a bizarre part like this? I'd appreciate any ideas you may have.
The cheapest replacement connector I've found was from a $15 w220/s430 door handle assembly off ebay. I ordered and replaced the part, and the door handle actuated fine for a few short uses, then back to the same behavior. I'd noticed someone had been into the door panel before, and tampered with the latch assembly (replaced soft close vacuum cap and then hooked the vacuum line directly to the lock actuating vacuum diaphragm), so at this point I assume they damaged the assembly in some way.
Oh well.
The door handle will open the door on rare occasion, but generally only once in a day.
Time to hunt another assembly down, I suppose! In the mean time, I just roll the windows down with the fob and make sure it's a fair-weather car.
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