W124 Front Wing Replacment Question

[Karl Wiles]

Hello all,

I'm having a couple of wings painted to fit myself on the car. I've just got one question if anyone can help, the cars a final face lift 96 Estate do the doors need to come off the assess the bolts running down the back edge of the wing. Or does removing the plastic moulding along the bottom of the wing and doors give the space required ?

Thanks

[chazola]

I replaced a wing last year and the two top bolts came out easily, the bottom one was a pain though. I think I ended up loosening the door hinge bolts to give me manoeuvring space as nothing I had would fit in the gap. I didn't try taking off the door moulding as the wing one had fought me, but this may make it easier.

[Karl Wiles]

Thanks for that, it might give me an excuse to buy a new flexi drive. I heard those plastic trims were a bit of a pain to get off, as long as it doesn't snap into two I can always glue it back on.

Was there any sealant used or did the wing come straight off when the bolts were out ?

[chazola]

Wing comes off easily, no sealant like the older cars. The bit that gave me the most grief was the plastic protective moulding bit on the inside, some of the screws holding mine on were so corroded they just snapped off when I tried to loosen them.

[lockhart flawse]

Karl - my late E320 Estate also needs new wings. What did you buy - original MB, pattern or second-hand wings for refurbishment?

L.F.

[Karl Wiles]

I'm using one MB wing (New) and a pattern part (New) the dealer couldn't get hold of the other wing. The pattern wing wasn't much cheeper. I changed a pair of wings on my Mk2 Golf with genuine wings and they were a right sod to fit, at the end of the day like to Golf the Newest 124 is 15 years old so the wings have laid in the manufactures warehouse god knows how long. Also a 16 year old car probably isn't quite as straight as it used to be.

The arch liners on mine look like they'll have to be drilled out carefully, the screw heads have rusted away

[Pontoneer]

I have taken wings off W124's before using a Halfords Pro 1/4" drive socket set - the extension piece fitted through the gap and had a 'ball end' which allowed it to be inserted partway into the socket so that it could flex slightly . A ratchet spanner can also access the bolt heads from the side .

There was no need to remove the Sacco panels .

[Karl Wiles]

I'll have a look at those, most of my stuff is old Britool and Clark. I was getting some Waxoyl the other day in Halfords and they had some good discounts on tools

[lockhart flawse]

Can you let us know how it works out. I have heard that it's a hard job to get some pattern wings to fit around the A-post?

L.F.

[ClassicMercs]

Thought I would re-ignite an old thread.

Having dealt with the small scab's myslef - the worst of which was the tailgate handle rust - I now need to get both wings replaced on my new chariot.

Will be wanting genuine panels which are £205 plus tax. Going to go to a few places this week to get quotes - based on recommendations from good sources - don't really want to go to the lengths of blowing in the adjoining panels. I want a servicable car rather than a show car.

Anyone got an clues of what's a reasonable price for replacing and painting two wings - and waxoyl in the obvious areas of course ?

[ian316]

There's a guy in Hull did mine and cut out the rear arches then replaced them, sprayed down both sides so it blended in, for less than £500 you'll find him on facebook under Paintworx Hull

[ClassicMercs]

No - really - looks OK. ?

Can't be worse than my work on tailgate handle !! Rear arches look OK though.

Plan to go to a couple of places before work in the morning.

[ian316]

If you go on his page you'll see pictures he's done a few, on mine the front wings where fully coated inside this is the finished job the colour match was great

Edited by ian316 on Wednesday 16th August 00:24

[ian316]

[Blackpuddin]

Bit of a thread resurrection, does anybody know of a Wilts/Somerset equivalent of the wing replacement bloke from Hull mentioned above?