Author Topic: Defective Part Warning  (Read 2491 times)

ja17

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Defective Part Warning
« on: September 02, 2020, 02:28:22 »
The new window "bristle rail" which is on each side of the door windows, is DEFECTIVE when ordered from Mercedes. Apparently the current "bristle rail" which has been recently re-produced and supplied to Mercedes as original equipment, is clearly defective for several reasons. First it is too wide, causing the window to be difficult to move, next the folded metal attachment strip on its bottom edge is poorly secured and comes loose, next the glue used to bond the fabric covering stays wet and oozes out onto the glass, making a big black sticky mess, the rail itself deforms during installation because the material inside is too soft. If you are successful and get it installed (a lot of work) the black adhesive oozes out onto the glass and sticks. When you attempt to roll the glass up, the bristle rail starts coming apart and only gets worse. After three failed attempts we called The Classic Center.  They are aware of the problem and are working on it. This stuff is expensive and its a lot of work to install. Just thought I would try to save some frustration for the rest of you. Hopefully the issue at Mercedes is resolved soon. This is very unusual because anything supplied from Mercedes is usually the best. Just a temporary issue I am sure. They refunded without a hesitation.

In the meantime I found some aftermarket "Made in Germany" which looks and works great. It was much less expensive also.
« Last Edit: September 02, 2020, 18:14:08 by ja17 »
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

stickandrudderman

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2020, 07:04:36 »
Thanks for the heads up.
What's the part number?

GM

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2020, 14:41:54 »
Part number 115-725-09-65
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

RobSirg

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2020, 13:36:41 »
Thanks Joe - I was just contemplating ordering these
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

wwheeler

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2020, 15:34:42 »
Joe,

What was you source for the substitute material? I just installed these on my rear window for my W111! I'll keep a close watch. My strips are screwed in, not held by clips. So I was able to install without much fuss.

Wallace
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

wsamples

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2020, 16:38:10 »
Joe,
We found the exact same issues.
In addition, when I ordered new felts, I also ordered new attaching clips.
When I tried to install the clips I found that they bent out of shape during installation and subsequently would not hold onto the felt.
I believe the original clips are spring steel.
I feel the new clips are mild steel and not up to the task.
I suggest using care when removing the original clips.
You may need to re-use them.

Note: there are inner and outer clips. The inner are designed to hold the door panel, the outer hold the chrome trim.
1965 230SL
1970 280SL Automatic
1971 280SL 4 spd w/limited slip dif

ja17

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N
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2020, 01:27:28 »
Hi Will ("wsamples"), good to see you here. Your expertise is well known.

Fortunately, I had a stock of NOS clips. I made a  tool so I could install them without taking the door panel off. I can post a pic if anyone is interested.

Rob and Wallace, Jeff at SL Autohaus got the bristle rail for me. The actual thickness might be slightly thinner than the original but very close, looks good and works great. In addition the metal inner parts in his are stainless steel and will never corrode. No gooey black adhesive, and the lower metal strip stays in place with these also. You can tap them into place with a soft mallet and they do not deform like the current MB product.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

mrfatboy

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #7 on: September 04, 2020, 01:33:59 »
I would like to see the picture of the mystery tool👍
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

ja17

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2020, 14:46:49 »
"mrfatboy" sorry I just realized that my tool is for installation of the clips on a 190SL. With a Pagoda the clips are different. The bristle rail material is the same on the 190SL and Pagoda.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

RobSirg

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #9 on: September 08, 2020, 23:45:07 »
Hi Joe, can you tell us the supplier of the aftermarket product that you eventually used?

Rob
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

mrfatboy

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #10 on: September 08, 2020, 23:53:08 »
I will sneak in here and say I got mine last year from SLS. Worked well.
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

GM

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Re: Defective Part Warning
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2020, 00:11:51 »
I got mine earlier this year from K&K - perfect
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex