Please help! SLK door and window problem

[Pia]

Hi, I really need your help!

I haven't posted on here for ages but that doesn't mean that my 98 SLK 230 has been behaving herself! Having had the roof sticking problem and the melting fittings in the rear cluster sorted, I had a brief time of just having to look after the usual wear and tear items but it all started to go wrong again about 18 months ago. I ended up spending a small fortune on replacing the instrument cluster, even the new one was "faulty" and had to go back in again and then the door problems started in ernest.

My driver's door/window was originally fixed under warranty, then just over a year ago the passenger door had same problem and wouldn't close without dropping the window first. I dutifully had it fixed at Mercedes, being told that the whole unit had to be replaced, this ran in to hundreds with the labour. Then it was squeaking terribly so they kindly adjusted it, without charge. Unfortunately after about ten uses there was a metallic clatter whilst I was driving and I realised the problem was back. It was outside of repair warranty and I've lived with it for months. Unfortunately, this week car went to Merc for another new tail light cluster - got smashed in a car park - and the following day metallic clatter from driver's side and now can't close that door with window up, sort of grinding sound when tried to open window this morning and will only drop about four inches. Not tried the roof but assume won't be able to use it.

Please can somebody give me some advice? If I take it to Merc again, they'll say that both doors/window mechanisms need replacing and will be looking at £600-£700. Do these parts really need to be replaced? They don't seem to last when they are and my, non engineer, mind thinks that there should be a way of fixing the problem, not just throwing more money at it.

Sorry so long winded. I will say, however, that I still love driving my car, and my current German Shepherd has finally got used to it, we have to have the window/roof down or she gets claustrophobic!

Regards,

Pia

 

[mercman_1]

window stops

Hi
the metal clatter you heard was the window stops falling off the glass,they are just two right angle brackets stuck to the glass on the bottom front corner of the window,I repaired mine using UV activated superglue from halfords (glass to metal)the metal sticks to the glass with the flat edge facing outwards towards you one on either side of the glass so that one sit under the other.These metal brackets hit a stop at the top of the door to stop it travelling to far.
Bob.T.

 

[Pia]

Window stops

Thanks for your reply. Think will have a go this time myself then. It makes it hugely expensive and frustrating to keep taking back to dealer only for it to break again. Is there a problem with taking the door panel off and, presumably, having to disconnect the airbag? Also, although the passenger window will still go up and down, the driver's one won't now go down more than a few inches, so hope is the same problem. Also means I can't drop the roof, in this gorgeous weather!

 

[mercman_1]

glass stops

The door card is not to difficult to come off(search my threads there is a description on how to remove it)the air bag is fitted to the door frame quite far back and not on the card with a little care there is no need to disconnect it, there is a hole in the inner door frame large enough to work through if you use the UV activated glue a nice day helps, the brackets were stuck on using a small glue pad I scraped this off and stuck the brackets straight onto the glass,hope this is of help good luck.
Bob.T.