1998 V70 Door Doesn't Seal completely

Seaway · Post by **Seaway** » 13 Jun 2014, 12:08

So after a very hard storm yesterday I got in my car and there was rain water in the cup like handle closer thing on the driver's door. I knew the door did not seal that well at the top because I could hear wind at highway speeds. I did not know it was bad enough to let that much water in, however. After taking a close look at the door, it seems as though the top back edges do not get sucked in tightly enough by the latch. I can lightly push it a bit and it seems to seal.

I know that this kind of thing is adjustable and fixable on older Mercedes by moving the catch mechanism on the door jam, but it looks like this may not be the case on these cars? Can anyone tell me if it can be adjusted, or if I should just buy goldfish and pass it off as an odd Scandinavian "feature"?

There doesn't seem to be any damage to the hinges, damage to the door, damage to the body or anything like that (and carfax came back clean for accidents). The door latch is very easy to use, however. Light light pull and the door opens.

Thanks.

Post by **JRL** » 13 Jun 2014, 12:45

Try bending it, seriously
If you're strong, grab the outer edge of the frame and middle of the door edge and try twisting it a bit pushing the outer edge of the door inwards.
Don't go overboard
Also check your door rubber

Seaway · Post by **Seaway** » 13 Jun 2014, 13:05

JRL wrote:Try bending it, seriously
If you're strong, grab the outer edge of the frame and middle of the door edge and try twisting it a bit pushing the outer edge of the door inwards.
Don't go overboard
Also check your door rubber

I have checked the rubber, and it all looks pretty good. I suppose I could try to bend it, but it seems to be that it isn't "seated" all the way or that the catch things is too far out on the jamb. The back edge of the door is not flush with the front edge of the back door. It is flush on the passenger side.

Post by **kahl** » 14 Jun 2014, 19:39

I had a similar problem with my daughter's 850. She locked the keys in the car and the AAA service person used an inflatable pillow to push out the door/window frame to unlock the car. I did what JRL suggested and it worked.

Post by **JRL** » 14 Jun 2014, 21:29

First adjust the striker plate

Seaway · Post by **Seaway** » 15 Jun 2014, 10:27

JRL wrote:First adjust the striker plate

I will give the striker plate adjustment a try. I am hoping there is enough room to move it back the centimeter or so necessary.

Thanks.

Post by **JRL** » 15 Jun 2014, 10:44

There has to be
if not, your car has been seriously bent somewhere along the line
If there's not for whatever reason, you need to ream the holes out a bit so that you can adjust it in a bit
You're talking about all of probably 1/4" or less
Slightly loosen the bolts just a hair, then gently tap it inwards, don't loosen all the way

Seaway · Post by **Seaway** » 15 Jun 2014, 13:34

JRL wrote:There has to be
if not, your car has been seriously bent somewhere along the line
If there's not for whatever reason, you need to ream the holes out a bit so that you can adjust it in a bit
You're talking about all of probably 1/4" or less
Slightly loosen the bolts just a hair, then gently tap it inwards, don't loosen all the way

Thanks for the tip on not loosening it all the way. The car is straight, I would imagine that after 16 years and 215,000 miles the catch has simply moved a hair. I will take a look when I have a free moment.