[ChrisSellsHomes]

Hey everyone,

I just noticed that the chrome interior door handle on my '00 W210 is broken. It just flops around making no contact whatsoever and now the door cannot be opened from the inside. I would like to try switching out myself and save the time and money.

Any ideas on the price of a replacement handle?
Does the door panel have to be removed to replace it?
How difficult a project is this?

Many thanks,
Chris

 

[raymond-]

MB W210 front door panel

just pop the panel and look around. my experience would suggest that it's
a simple rod connection that has slipped. video doesn't show much of the
linkage but you can briefly see the S-hook that he manipulates....as one
possible source. just follow from handle, sheathed cable, hook....into the
door and through to the outer door handle. overall pretty simplistic in
design.

first time disassembly - 1 hr. subsequently, about 15 mins.

 

[Yote]

I just had this happen. In my case the cable mated to the hook that attaches to the inside handle snapped.

In the photo from left to right, the hook attaches to the door latch, cable passes through the white plastic bracket tucked under the airbag, and sheathed black cable comes out the other side.

Does this necessitate taking the airbag out to replace the cable assembly?

 

[Yote]

Figured it out and thought it's worth sharing the experience. Once I got the replacement part it was evident that the white bracket clips in and is not bolted or anything like that underneath the airbag.

Sorry no pics.

So after removing the old part (it was easier just to snap the tabs), the new one slides in under the airbag. The end of the bracket not shown tucks into a hole and then is held in place by the tabs on the part of the bracket that is shown. A tight fit, but you can move the airbag enough to wiggle it in.

Last gotcha is hooking to the door handle. There is a narrow channel just aft of the attachment point. Pull the cable so enough of the cable is exposed to slide into this channel, with the end of the sheath butted up against the channel. Then hook to the handle. This provides the proper tension on the cable. If just hooking it up straight to the handle like I first tried, there is some slack and the handle hangs partway out.

Total cost $15, including shipping.