W124 Cabrio interior panel removal

[Andedav]

How do you remove the rear side panel that covers the seat belt presenter? i have taken out all the visible retainer screws and the chrome plate near the door. I can get the bottom to lift but the top is 100% not moving. Do not see any visible screws.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

free manual google this - Model 124 Maintenance Manual Index then m103 0r m104 what ever ever yours is.
Then look for page number 68 interior trim 68 - 470 saloon and coupe are in there .

 

[Andedav]

Thanks for this, finally got it off but last bit was a struggle until i finally figured it out. Thinking of making a youtube video, searched forever when i started but could not find one.

 

[Jeff Firth]

Thanks for this, finally got it off but last bit was a struggle until i finally figured it out. Thinking of making a youtube video, searched forever when i started but could not find one.

 

[Jeff Firth]

Hi
Any hints or video made? I am about to try and replace my seat belt extender on a 1996 E220 A124 Cabriolet? Cheers Jeff

 

[Andedav]

The manual Dreamer lined me up with was a big help and easy if you follow the steps. Once all the screws were out the diagram for removing the panel shows 2 arrows, slide to the right then lift. This is where i got stuck as it refused to slide. In fact it is a metal clip on the body and a bar on the panel, so when i got frustrated and gave the panel a mighty yank the panel side nearest the door lifted off, i then saw the arrangement and just worked it upwards. I did not replace the entire presenter, i got new plastic gears from germany and replaced them with the presenter in-situ.

 

[Andedav]

Video will be a winter project.

 

[Jeff Firth]

Hi There
Just started the project and sure enough cant get the rear side panel off. All is loose apart from the piece hidden by the rear seat.

I have a nasty feeling I may have to remove the seat but I cant find any bolts. ANy suggestions appreciated. Jeff

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Jeff have you got the free manual?

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Google search for this - Model 124 Maintenance Manual Index - from there go to m103 0r m104 then interior trim no 68 then 68-456

 

[Jeff Firth]

Managed to get everything off - involved removing rear seat. I then saw the seat belt returner was too difficult to remove and so I put everything back. Quite an operation. You mention you replaced the cogs - was that easy? Should the returner be making whirring noises even with the cogs not working? Mine is not. The passenger one works perfectly.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Who told you about the cogs ?.

 

[Jeff Firth]

Andedav

 

[Andedav]

I got the cogs from germany. Cogs were the problem with mine.you could tell it was trying to function as it was making a racket. The cogs were not difficult to replace but there is a spring arrangement holding them in and that was a real B***8 to get back in. I did it with finger power, there must be a tool to do this. If there is no noise coming from yours it something else

 

[Andedav]

Here is a real good video of how the hood works and dismantling. Just about fall asleep with the guys mono-tone

 

[Andedav]

This one shows the belt presenter dismantled at around 6 minutes in.