Boot Hinge sheared off! :eek:

[GoNikki]

Hi everyone, new to here and could do with some advice!

Whilst driving home yesterday heard a massive bang, like something had landed on the roof - bit unerving as I was doing 80 at the time!

Pulled over and checked - all fine - until I went to open the boot!

It transpires that the lound 'bang' was the passenger side boot spring 'springing' out as the boot hinge had broke!

The car is only 7 years old and the METAL hinge had sheared off - looks to me if there was a floor in the manufacturing process.

Took the car to our local garage (owner has an E class) and he said he has never heard anything like it! So off I go to the MB dealer in town who tried to tell me it was metal fatigue and that it would be chargeable!
I said that the hinge was obviously not fit for purpose and that I would not be paying (in the nicest way of course )- the guy is now taking it up with MB direct.

Was just wondering if any of you had experienced any thing like this?

Also what chance do you think I will have of getting MB to pay for the repair?

any help very welcome!!

 

[BlackC55]

What car is it?

 

[GoNikki]

its a C200, 1999 on T plate

 

[shadowninja]

cripes. that isn't good! good luck with the stealer.

 

[television]

Hi and welcome, someone posted the same thing a few months back.

 

[BlackC55]

Ive replaced 2 on 202's before. It a right pain as the parcel shelf has to come out.

Its not mega common but is know to have happened before.

 

[angus falconer]

Happened to my previous C43- the spring hanger broke off the hinge

The garage drilled another hole in the remainder of the spring mount

Boot sill worked, spring action not so clever but it's a cheap fix

 

[GoNikki]

Happened to my previous C43- the spring hanger broke off the hinge

The garage drilled another hole in the remainder of the spring mount

Boot sill worked, spring action not so clever but it's a cheap fix

Thanks for all your replies:-D

There is already another hole that the spring could attach to but why should I compromise??? Still pushing for MB to replace - after all as I said in my first post the hinge is obviously not fit for purpose - yup living in cook coo land but prepared to have a go at the big boys :lol:

Anyway I'm only a girly and man is that spring strong!

So as last resort would have to get local garage to attach the spring to the other hole - if I don't decapitate my self first!! :lol:

 

[supercharger]

blimey ive been pulling these cars apart and putting em back together for years w123.w124.w126.w201,s which are obviously much older than yours and ive never heard of it before. push the stealers all the way.


supercharger

 

[Suki]

Hi, I had the same issue with by C class R reg.
I tried the other hole, but the boot was not opening smoothly.
I clamped another piece of metal to the remaining piece left on the boot lid and this worked fine.
I did check the other side, and the same thing is happending there.
So no doubt I will have to perfrm the same operation there!
Regards
Suki

 

[GoNikki]

Result!

Have just received a phone call from the MB stealer to say that MB have agreed to replace the broken hinge FOC!!!

While they have the car I am going to get them to replace the other hinge (don't think I'll get lucky twice) whilst MB have paid for the labour to have the parcel shelf out etc

He he I'm so happy - its not the money its the principal!!

 

[GoNikki]

Oops

I know i'm happy - but I am not that happy to post twice on purpose - sticky mouse!

 

[davidsl500]

Oops

I know i'm happy - but I am not that happy to post twice on purpose - sticky mouse!

Could have been an echo , well done on your success against against the big boys, in fact GoNikki !