A door that will not open from the outside, a key that will not turn or a latch that sticks are typical R107 door problems. Most come from worn linkage parts, a dirty latch or a tired lock cylinder rather than anything serious.
Outside handle failures
The outside handle operates the latch through a short linkage inside the door. Common failures include:
- A broken or disconnected linkage rod or clip
- A worn handle pivot
- A broken handle spring that leaves the handle floppy
- An out-of-adjustment linkage that does not pull the latch far enough
Removing the door panel gives access. See door panel removal.
Lock cylinder
The lock cylinder in the handle wears over time. A key that turns only with effort, or a cylinder that spins without unlocking, points to worn tumblers. Specialists can rebuild your cylinder to match your existing key. A new cylinder from Mercedes usually comes with its own key unless it is coded.
Latch
A sticking latch causes doors that are hard to close, do not latch fully or will not open. Clean the latch with a spray cleaner and lubricate it with a suitable latch lubricant. Do not use heavy grease that collects dirt.
Handles on later cars
The door handle design and its internal parts changed over the R107‘s production, so the handle and linkage parts for a late 560SL may not match those for an early 450SL. Order parts by your model and year or VIN.
Rods and clips
The rods connecting the handle, the lock and the latch use small plastic clips that become brittle. When a clip breaks, the rod falls off and the handle or lock stops working. Replacement clips are inexpensive.
Central locking
On cars with central locking, the door lock also has a vacuum element that operates the lock. If the lock works by key but not with central locking, see central locking. That article also covers the door lock vacuum elements.
Parts
Handles, cylinders, latches, rods, clips and seals are available from Mercedes and specialist suppliers. Buy quality parts; cheap clips fail quickly.
Quick answers
- Why does my door only open from inside? Usually the outside handle linkage.
- Can I lubricate the lock? Use dry graphite or a lock lubricant.
- Why does the key not turn in cold weather? Moisture in the cylinder; use a lock de-icer and lubricant.
- Is adjusting the latch striker difficult? It is straightforward, but adjust in small steps.
