Side Airbag Question
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 43
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From: New Jersey
2002 Mercedes E430 4Matic
Side Airbag Question
Hello, so in the near future I am swapping the outer door panel with another that does not have rust. It would save me a lot of time and headaches if I dont have to swap the airbag onto the new one. If I dont swap the existing airbag to the new door would it present any problems with the airbag system?
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From: Westcoast/Interior
02w163ML500 / 97w210E50AMG / 99w202C230k / 95w124500e-wip
From this diagram, door skin and door frame are separate components
Typically, a bodyshop replaces the entire frame and skin in one piece, when damaged beyond economic repair.
If you are replacing only the skin, then you dont need to touch the airbag assembly, which is riveted to the door frame.
If you are replacing the entire door with another, then yes, you need to remove the air assembly and reinstall.
Typically, a bodyshop replaces the entire frame and skin in one piece, when damaged beyond economic repair.
If you are replacing only the skin, then you dont need to touch the airbag assembly, which is riveted to the door frame.
If you are replacing the entire door with another, then yes, you need to remove the air assembly and reinstall.
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 132
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2000 C230 Kompressor
I am going to operate a similar procedure on my 2000 C230 Kompressor (W202). In fact, the doors are on their way to my house as I am typing out this message.
Looking at this diagram, the door skim and shell are separated just like the W210
I believe it requires soldering skill to get them separated and otherwise, is that correct? Mine will arrive with the entire frame and skin in one piece.
Looking at this diagram, the door skim and shell are separated just like the W210
I believe it requires soldering skill to get them separated and otherwise, is that correct? Mine will arrive with the entire frame and skin in one piece.
Last edited by ihaveaquestion; Mar 26, 2020 at 10:51 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 140
From: Westcoast/Interior
02w163ML500 / 97w210E50AMG / 99w202C230k / 95w124500e-wip
I am going to operate a similar procedure on my 2000 C230 Kompressor (W202). In fact, the doors are on their way to my house as I am typing out this message.
Looking at this diagram, the door skim and shell are separated just like the W210
I believe it requires soldering skill to get them separated and otherwise, is that correct? Mine will arrive with the entire frame and skin in one piece.
Looking at this diagram, the door skim and shell are separated just like the W210
I believe it requires soldering skill to get them separated and otherwise, is that correct? Mine will arrive with the entire frame and skin in one piece.
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
2000 C230 Kompressor
Thanks. I think that is beyond my skill at this point. I will just go ahead and replace the whole thing.
The thing about the airbag is that it's held by rivet, which I've never worked with. Will be interesting when I get to that point....I may have to buy a riveter just in case.
The thing about the airbag is that it's held by rivet, which I've never worked with. Will be interesting when I get to that point....I may have to buy a riveter just in case.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 140
From: Westcoast/Interior
02w163ML500 / 97w210E50AMG / 99w202C230k / 95w124500e-wip
Thanks. I think that is beyond my skill at this point. I will just go ahead and replace the whole thing.
The thing about the airbag is that it's held by rivet, which I've never worked with. Will be interesting when I get to that point....I may have to buy a riveter just in case.
The thing about the airbag is that it's held by rivet, which I've never worked with. Will be interesting when I get to that point....I may have to buy a riveter just in case.
Regarding the rivets. drill them out and either replace them with rivets (you will need a HD rivet gun - rent one if you dont own one). NOT the cheap ones.
Or you can use machine screws with nuts and thread lock.
There are plenty of good youtube videos that demonstrate rivet removal.
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 132
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2000 C230 Kompressor
I've decided to restore my W202 because I just love the square body of old Mercedes despite Geico pronounced it totaled (dead) 4 years ago.
I got the passenger doors (front & rear) from eBay so I will be working on them very soon. Just doing as much research as I can before I get my hands dirty.
I got the passenger doors (front & rear) from eBay so I will be working on them very soon. Just doing as much research as I can before I get my hands dirty.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: MD
w210 AMG or S213
Swapping the air bag over is easy. I replaced the front and rear doors on my car because of rust. You just need a drill to drill out the rivets and a rivet gun I got mine from Harbor freight for like $15.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 43
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From: New Jersey
2002 Mercedes E430 4Matic
illest, they may be easy but when I bought the door it came with the airbag still installed with the door including the mirror, etc. The only things that were missing were the speaker as well as the computer. The main question I have is that will there be any issues with the airbag system if I do not swap the airbag that was original for the car into the new door?
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
illest, they may be easy but when I bought the door it came with the airbag still installed with the door including the mirror, etc. The only things that were missing were the speaker as well as the computer. The main question I have is that will there be any issues with the airbag system if I do not swap the airbag that was original for the car into the new door?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
2002 Mercedes E430 4Matic
Awesome, thats all I wanted to know because it would be the worst if I had to deal with that after I got the door in. I grabbed on an awesome deal to fix a large amount of the rust and I took it and I thank all of you for helping me figure this all out!
