michael neyman

So I was replacing my rear door and it closed on me. Problem is the door mechanism is broke. I know I can pull the bronze colored lever the interior handle is connected to. However when it shut the interior panel was on and the door handle isn't connected.

I can't aces the door locking mechanism with the panel on and I can't remover the panel bc the door is locked. I've been stumped all week trying to remove the panel.l

Help?!

Door handles are broke.
Interior panel is on so I can't aces the locking mechains
Can't remove the interior panel bc door is shut.l

Any ideas or tricks to get the door open or interior panel off wi th the door shut?

Thanks for any replies

michael neyman

2001 s500 w220

michael neyman

One thought was to cut the panel similar to how it breaks during an airbag deployment and gluing it back but I'm unsure how it breaks away during an airbag deployment

Benzman33

Maybe take it to a body shop to have them open it? That way it's not really on you if you break it.

michael neyman

Spent all my money on the parts or I'd have let them fix it to begin with. Maybe a pic of a rear deployed airbag?

michael neyman

I'd leave it shut but I didn't put trim peice that hits the "door open" button and the door open warning is driving me nuts

Benzman33

Have you tried to pry by the interior panel cover by the window?

michael neyman

Yes it won't budge bc it's snugly shut

Benzman33

Dam man, I'd say your best bet is to save a bit and take it to a body shop that wont rip you off. I had a similar problem with my 96 Disco, door handle broke off out side and it wasn't closed fully. Never did re open. Sold it with the rear door stuck shut LOL.

michael neyman

Sounds like I'm SOL

Benzman33

Can't think like that, I'm sure you'll figure/find a way. I'm surprised the suction thing the doors do didn't suck it shut. Hmmm

Benzman33

This may sound like an idiotic idea but maybe try to get the airbag to deploy? Me personally I wouldn't do it but idk....

michael neyman

I'm going to cut it along the seams and either re glue or just let it be till I can get a new interior panel I think

michael neyman

It's shut all the way. I just didn't put the plastic trim that hits the "door closed button" so it constantly says the door is open. If not for that warning I'd just let it stay shut

michael neyman

No1t

Benzman33

I feel your pain, Cut the interior panel if you can live with it. Personally I couldn't but what ever. Keep on looking though because once you cut it out of frustration there is no going back. Try having a person push up on the door to see if the light will go off, even though it doesn't sound like that's the issue.

Benzman33

Keep us posted though.

michael neyman

I can't cut where I wanted too. It's got fiberglass behind it and I can't figure out where it breaks during airbag deployment either. If I could I'd just pull on that and re glue from behind....

..... tried using a coathanger to range the lever, but couldn't . Guess I'll give that another try during daylight

ItalianJoe1

Call a locksmith? Someone who does vehicle lockout may have the tools needed to pop it open from the outside without causing any real damage.

This is the old door you are replacing? The whole door or just the mechanism you are going to replace?

michael neyman

It's the new door. I've got everything in it but one plastic piece broke so the outside handle doesn't work and the inside just isn't hooked up. I was on an incline putting front glass in when I bumped it shut

ItalianJoe1

Oh I was gonna suggest drilling through from the outside if it was the old door. Clearly not an option in this case.

Benzman33

Any update on this?

jkm5022

AAA and local fire dept have door lockout services. 1 800 mercedes may also have road service lockout help

ibeforreal

I have a friend that had a similar problem except it was his front driver's door. There is no way to wedge that cover off or even use a tool such as a Slim Jim. Your only option may be to cut the door panel from the inside and it is probably your least expensive.

Don't even think about dickering around with that air bag as others have suggested.

Before cutting I would look around on EBAY for a replacement panel (that is what we did). If you do this make sure the panel you find is an exact copy of the one you have with the buttons in the appropriate position. Depending on your interior color it may be difficult to find. The Ash Grey and Black interiors were plentiful. You will want to look for a S500 door panel and NOT AN S430 of your model year car. We were fortunate enough to find one on EBAY for something like $75.

I am including a copy of the panel (front door) showing where you will need to use a saw an cut. We used a small hand saw. You are cutting through some type of particle board so a utility knife or anything of that sort will not work. The picture shows a front driver's door panel but you can use it as a guide to cut in the same area on the rear door. As soon as you cut back far enough you can reach in and grab the cable to open the door.

SEARCH HERE FOR A REPLACEMENT PANEL: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...panel&_sacat=0

tusabes

The interior door panels are cheap and plentiful

Hack it off to get access to what you Need