Xctguy

I have a 2003 e500 and the door handle has just suddenly just decided to stay 3/4 inch out, from the normal closed position. I only have about 1/4 inch now of play in order to lock and unlock the door, it works normally but cant see why it wont go back in, pressing it in won't do anything. Never had an issue with it or any signs before this. Any suggestions?

foreyes

Same thing happened to my 03 E500 last year. You need to replace the door handle. Parts.com stocks the OEM MB handles in all the factory colors. Here is the DIY:

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ement-diy.html

Xctguy

NO way---when you replaced yours did you see anything broken?

foreyes

It's the back side of the handle near the lock cylinder, the forked part of the handle that pulls on the spring-loaded latch inside the door that breaks. Sometimes the handle base is broken too and needs to be replaced. To get a better idea of these parts and how they work together, check out this diagram on Parts.com ( #1: handle, and #4: handle base)

http://www.parts.com/parts/2003/MERC...iagram=5717580

Xctguy

If the internal part has to be replaced, I'm guessing that you had to remove the door panel? Is this what you had to do, replace both parts (handle and base)? Did you have to replace the lock mechanism, because it seems like its working fine. Thanks for the info!!

foreyes

Replace just the handle first to see if that solves the problem. If you install the new handle and it still doesn't sit flush and has no return tension, the handle base is broken too. When I fixed mine, I had to replace the handle base as well because the return spring on it was broken. If you heard a loud "PING" when you opened the door recently, that was the return spring breaking. Try to fish out the old spring down inside the bottom of the inner door so it doesn't rattle around loose inside your door. If the handle base is broken, you will need to remove the interior trim panel. It's not difficult, just be really gentle with the electrical ribbon connectors when you unplug them. When I had my interior panel off, I replaced the worn interior chrome door handle pull, the part is only $10 and super easy to replace with the door card off.

dacollector

i'ved had this happend to me before same handle, driver side, what i found taking it apart is that there is a piece on the handle base that broke off causing the handle to not sit flush. what you have to do is remove and replace the handle base #4 on the parts.com diagram , your handle should be fine.