w111 door lock not working

[col320ce]

I can't get the door lock on either side of the 250SE/Cp working. The key will turn to unlock the car but you really have to force it to lock the car.  When looking into the door mechanism I can see that the part that attaches to the handle with the "wings" on it doesnt line up correctly with the locking plate. When the handle side turns, the 'wings' hit the white plastic bit of the locking plate.  It's the same on both sides so I'm not sure if I have the wrong locks on my car or am I missing something simple??
Thanks for any help!

[wwheeler]

The first thing I would do before forcing anything is to make sure the latching mechanism is completely clean and lubed. If it is gummed up, it will make everything much harder and possibly wreck the handle mechanism. Take the latch of the door and immerse in your favorite cleaner. Then lube and work it until it is smooth as butter. That is advice I was given from an expert Vintage locksmith.

[col320ce]

Hi Wallace
I've already made sure they are squeaky clean...
It looks like an alignment issue but I'm not sure where any adjustment is to get it right...

[wwheeler]

You might look at the door lock on the panel. It may be adjustable some to allow it to unlock and also lock. I had this issue on my W128. The other item you might look at is wear on the “cam” on the handle that throws the lock on and off. If the other side works well, compare the profiles. Again on my W128, the “cam” was badly worn when compared to the other side I had the problem with. If it is worn, you can probably get an expert welded to build up using a small TIG. That is what I did and now they both work well.

Good luck.

[lpeterssen]

Dear Col

That happened to me once on y pagoda.  There is a center screw on the back of your lock Handle which makes the  Plate that rotates to move forward or backward on the axial axis to position it closer to the lock unlock mechanism which is on the side of the door.

Regards
Lp

[lpeterssen]

See photo attached. That is the flat screw I was talking about.

[cabrioletturbo]

I am with peterssen on this one.

[col320ce]

I've been adjusting that screw and I can't find a place that it works.
Nothing seems to be excessively worn either.
And it's exactly the same on both sides...

[lpeterssen]

Dear Col

Check the rubber ends that separate the door handle from door surface. Check if they correspond to the right or left door.  RECHTS = right side (passenger on a LHD car) and LINKS = Left side.  Also see if that thicker part of the rubber end goes on the lower part of the Door exterior handle

And as a previous forum member said, the door lock/latch mechanism that goes on the sides of the doors which hits the STRIKER/CATCHER should be taken out of the car and cleaned deeply (use paint remover to eliminate any overspray on it), lubed It and nurse as well.  If it works perfectly outside of car, it should work as well installed.

Keep me posted.

Regards
LP

[perry113]

I believe there might be a spacing issue as well. I ran into this on another car.
Does this car have all original exterior door lock assemblies, door locks and what I would believe to be 3 bolt strikers on the latch post?
I delt with a 230sl that had latch posts that accomidated the later 4 bolt striker and because of this I had to change the door locks and outer handles. Nothing worked in all angles. There was also a distance issue which can be adjusted out where you had to push the exterior button in until it hit the lock. Then you could turn the key and lock or unlock.

[lpeterssen]

Dear Perry

Excellent comment.  I have a pagoda 250SL that has a similar issue.  It had originally  I guess 3 screw striker  (the car is on my warehouse, so I can not confirm visually), but sometime ago it was changed to 4 screws. I have not been able to make the locks work perfectly. Maybe that is the origin of the problem, thanks for the idea.

Regards
LP

[wwheeler]

These handles and locks can be a royal pain. There were two manufacturers Huf an Ymos. And while they fit and "interchange", there are some differences that can make it difficult. On top of that, Mercedes was constantly changing the designs. That can give you a real mess on your hands if the parts have been changed out.

[perry113]

Dear Perry

Excellent comment.  I have a pagoda 250SL that has a similar issue.  It had originally  I guess 3 screw striker  (the car is on my warehouse, so I can not confirm visually), but sometime ago it was changed to 4 screws. I have not been able to make the locks work perfectly. Maybe that is the origin of the problem, thanks for the idea.

Regards
LP

It's not the idea. It is the solution. You even have to change the door lock linkage as well. There is no way the doors will latch properly with the 4 hole strikers and the early door latches.

[col320ce]

I have the 3 bolt striker. I'll take some photos to make sure everything at least looks correct.

[col320ce]

I now have them working ok ... the rubber trim really defines the angle that the handles are on and I think these are a little old and compressed in parts. I put a little chock on the top of each which had changed the angle of the locks enough to open and close reasonably well.  I'll get some new rubbers in the long term.  Thanks for all the ideas! LP ... yours was the one that made me think of trying this.

[col320ce]

Replaced the rubber trim with new ones and it's corrected the angle so it all works like a charm now!
Thanks again for all the ideas.

[lpeterssen]

I told you it was rubber position related. God to know you had success finally