SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Interior door handle broken (spindle) + door panel removal
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
SL55
Interior door handle broken (spindle) + door panel removal
My driver's side door handle stopped working today, I pulled to open it and it made a loud popping sound and just started to swing loosely. The outside door handle still opened the door just fine.
Turns out this is a common problem with the handle on these cars. The handle is two pieces, the metal lever on the inside and a small spindle arm lever inside the door that pulls the lock cable.
The spindle arm just pops straight up out of the casing, it's held down with the friction with the plastic holder so pull up slow and steady and it will come right out. When putting it back in, have the spindle as far back as possible towards the back of the door and the handle closed for alignment.
Here are the part numbers: Spindle = A 320 766 00 67 (and optional white groment that goes in the hole at the end = A 202 997 12 81) (thanks BeltFedBob!)
Here's a pic of what it looks like:
Took about 1hr total to take off panel, pop out the old spindle and replace it and then put the panel back in place.
Attached a PDF too for removing the door panel.
Turns out this is a common problem with the handle on these cars. The handle is two pieces, the metal lever on the inside and a small spindle arm lever inside the door that pulls the lock cable.
The spindle arm just pops straight up out of the casing, it's held down with the friction with the plastic holder so pull up slow and steady and it will come right out. When putting it back in, have the spindle as far back as possible towards the back of the door and the handle closed for alignment.
Here are the part numbers: Spindle = A 320 766 00 67 (and optional white groment that goes in the hole at the end = A 202 997 12 81) (thanks BeltFedBob!)
Here's a pic of what it looks like:
Took about 1hr total to take off panel, pop out the old spindle and replace it and then put the panel back in place.
Attached a PDF too for removing the door panel.
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Sheffield, U.K.
SL55 AMG
Could you please tell me where you bought this from? My UK dealer wants to charge me £198 for this part!!! I have exactly the same broken spindle problem, and even with delivery charges from USA it will still be a lot cheaper than U.K. price!
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
SL55
Bought from dealership here... Keyes European Mercedes-Benz
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Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Sheffield, U.K.
SL55 AMG
Wahey! Update - done a bit of scouting around and found a dealer advertising the part for £3.18 - about 4$, plus postage. Result! Should have it tomorrow so I will now be able to open the door from the inside again. 
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
SL 500, R 500, E 320
Is it a DIY kind of a job? How hard is it for an average Joe? and What kid of tools would it require. Could you please put this information up?
Appreciate your information.
Appreciate your information.
My driver's side door handle stopped working today, I pulled to open it and it made a loud popping sound and just started to swing loosely. The outside door handle still opened the door just fine.
Turns out this is a common problem with the handle on these cars. The handle is two pieces, the metal lever on the inside and a small spindle arm lever inside the door that pulls the lock cable.
The spindle arm just pops straight up out of the casing, it's held down with the friction with the plastic holder so pull up slow and steady and it will come right out. When putting it back in, have the spindle as far back as possible towards the back of the door and the handle closed for alignment.
Here are the part numbers: Spindle = A 320 766 00 67 (and optional white groment that goes in the hole at the end = A 202 997 12 81) (thanks BeltFedBob!)
Here's a pic of what it looks like:
Took about 1hr total to take off panel, pop out the old spindle and replace it and then put the panel back in place.
Attached a PDF too for removing the door panel.
Turns out this is a common problem with the handle on these cars. The handle is two pieces, the metal lever on the inside and a small spindle arm lever inside the door that pulls the lock cable.
The spindle arm just pops straight up out of the casing, it's held down with the friction with the plastic holder so pull up slow and steady and it will come right out. When putting it back in, have the spindle as far back as possible towards the back of the door and the handle closed for alignment.
Here are the part numbers: Spindle = A 320 766 00 67 (and optional white groment that goes in the hole at the end = A 202 997 12 81) (thanks BeltFedBob!)
Here's a pic of what it looks like:
Took about 1hr total to take off panel, pop out the old spindle and replace it and then put the panel back in place.
Attached a PDF too for removing the door panel.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
SL55
I did it myself so yes, it was fairly quick as I remember it. I dont have the car anymore but I dont think you need any tools other than a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the panel from the clips. After that the spindle just slides out from the holding cylinder.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
SL 500, R 500, E 320
I did it myself so yes, it was fairly quick as I remember it. I dont have the car anymore but I dont think you need any tools other than a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the panel from the clips. After that the spindle just slides out from the holding cylinder.
Thanks a lot. Local Merc Dealer has the part in stock for $4.00 and I am going to try it over the weekend.
Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
2004 SL55 AMG Kompressor
Saved my life. took old one out, fixed it with a bit of bent aluminum and rivets, then ordered the new one. took 5 mins to put it in when it arrived....Thanks again guys!!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2005 Mercedes Benz SL55 AMG
wow, I have to invest in Mercedes Benz parts. I just bought the spindle, part number 230-766-00-67 for $37.05 and grommet, part number 202-997-12-81 for $2. All from Autobahn Motors in Belmont, Ca. For that price, I was looking for a bottle of lube inclusive.
The spindle looks to be very cheaply made, perhaps out of pot metal.
The spindle looks to be very cheaply made, perhaps out of pot metal.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 85
From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Ha! yeah, lube is extra.
I have often thought about seeing if KY would create a special AMG label for me so i could sell it to members. "AMG butt lube" The directions would say: Apply liberally before the purchase of all AMG parts.
I have often thought about seeing if KY would create a special AMG label for me so i could sell it to members. "AMG butt lube" The directions would say: Apply liberally before the purchase of all AMG parts.
Newbie
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2006 SL500
I've just done this repair on my 2006 SL500. It was pretty straightforward except for a couple of small issues:
1. I had to cut away a small piece of the door card that was stopping me from withdrawing the spindle from the inside handle. This was easily done with a craft knife
2. The locking button ended up sitting too low in the door card. This may be as a result of not aligning it with its hole the first time I fitted the card back to the door. I have to remove it to replace 4 of the red securing clips that were either missing or broken, but I'd eb interested to know if anyone else has had to adjust the position of the knob on its mounting rod. Is it on a screw thread?
The spindle, part no A230 (not 320 as it says above) 766 00 67 cost me UK £14.64 from a MB main dealer here in the UK and after ordering it yesterday they had it ready for me this morning.
1. I had to cut away a small piece of the door card that was stopping me from withdrawing the spindle from the inside handle. This was easily done with a craft knife
2. The locking button ended up sitting too low in the door card. This may be as a result of not aligning it with its hole the first time I fitted the card back to the door. I have to remove it to replace 4 of the red securing clips that were either missing or broken, but I'd eb interested to know if anyone else has had to adjust the position of the knob on its mounting rod. Is it on a screw thread?
The spindle, part no A230 (not 320 as it says above) 766 00 67 cost me UK £14.64 from a MB main dealer here in the UK and after ordering it yesterday they had it ready for me this morning.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2003 SL500
I've finished replacing the drivers side door pull spindle on my 03 SL500. I positioned the spindle (A 230 766 00 67) (handle all the way to shut position), pressed it in...connected everything...cable is a hook that connects to the spindle...door pull snaps back as should be, but felt little to no resistance on the pull, but the door wont release and open...Did I do something wrong here???
(it does in fact appear that it's connected to the cable...by feel and sound...but will not release and open door?)
(it does in fact appear that it's connected to the cable...by feel and sound...but will not release and open door?)
Last edited by whitestarr; Oct 25, 2018 at 07:16 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2005 SL600 V12
On my 05 SL600, the door panel does come off easily, removed the trim lock nuts and then two of the screws that hold the inside handle mechanism in place - this created clearance for the spindle to slide past the molded door insulation - that said, the broken spindle itself would NOT come out - prying pulling - very frustrating - thought maybe would have to CUT the handle and replace that too - stepped away to run an errand and came back to it - thought that being a very cold morning (around freezing) and even now with door panel inside the house, maybe WARMING up the interior door handle would ever so slightly increase the clearance - two minutes with blow dryer, and BOOM - broken spindle came out once pulled up !!!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
sl55
There was a bit of looseness/slack in the interior door handle. When pulled to open the travel distance was insufficient to unlatch the door.
Solved by having the interior handle fully closed and dropping the spindle on one notch more forwards, putting the cable under a bit of tension
which holds the interior handle tightly closed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 260
From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 622
Likes: 212
From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
I had to replace this part in drivers door of my SL600, and realized that this little part is the weakest link inside the door. Ever since, on all my R230s, when I'm opening the door, first thing I do is hit the Unlock button on the dash. When the door is locked, you can feel there is more resistance on the door handle because it is mechanically doing the unlocking. So, I think that unlocking first, will put less stress on that part. Unlock first!
Last edited by tonylinc; Nov 11, 2024 at 06:48 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 260
From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
Isn't that strange? The spindle is about the only metal part in a plastic jungle, and then it breaks on you. Bad choice in the engineering department.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 622
Likes: 212
From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
On my 2004 SL600, in a couple places, I saw a Chrysler logo, by this time the Mercedes had merged with Chrysler, still great cars, but I bet the weaker parts on these cars are having to do with the Chrysler influence... Like this part, and maybe the window switches.. LOL
