Door pocket repair

[BHap]

Hello - I have a 1970 280SL with MB Tex interior and the soft pockets on the doors.  How do you remove the metal frames from the door panel to repair the bottom of the pockets that have pulled out?  Should these be glued or are they just "pinched" between the door panel and the metal frame?  Thanks for your help...

Bob Happe
Pittsburgh, Pa
1970 280SL, white/black 4 speed

[blairwag]

I can only say that I have the EXACT same problem. But looking closely, it looks like my black MB-tex interior had the pockets stiched to the door panel.  I'll wathc this thread  closely for an appropriate repair.  Is it best to take it to an interior specialist?


--
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William Blair Wagner: blairwag@earthlink.net
Education is not always knowing the answer,
...but rather knowing where to look for it!
1971 280SL US Automatic
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[France]

Hi Guys,

Has anyone taken off a panel to see if the frames can be unfastened from the other side?  Mine look like they are riveted.  I just stuffed the leather back under the frame using a thin non-edged blade, but this will only hold until I want to put something in the pocket...

Trice
1968 280SL US, signal red/bl leather, auto, kinder
Sarasota FL; Alsace France

[SL113fan]

I repaired mine with Crazy Glue while the panel was still on the door.  This type of glue is a last resort because of the irreparable cosmetic damage it can do if spilled.  There was no easy way to clamp the glue-covered pocket to the door, making conventional cements impractical.  Being careful not to spill excess glue, my repair retains the pocket’s original look and function.  No more coins dropping through.

[jeffc280sl]

Gents,

The door pockets are secured to the door panel by a metal bracket which runs on the sides and bottom of the pocket.  There are metal tabs on the bracket which poke through slots in the door panel.  The tabs are bent over on the inside of the door panel to secure the pocket.  If the plastic film under the door panel has broken or been removed moisture from the window moulding seeps onto the panel and the metal tabs begin to rust.  Combine the rust with moisture warping the particle board panel and you have this problem.  The particle board panels can be easily re-made with home depot materials using the old one as a template.  The material from the old panel can be removed, cleaned and re-used.  You can buy new metal brackets from Bud's.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed