Mercedes W126 - Rear Window Channel Rust Repair - Part 2 Removing Rear Glass, Assessing Rust Damage

#impalamansgarage
In part 2 of this video series we remove the rear glass and assess the
rust damage on our Mercedes 300 SD.
Rear Window Channel Panel
Mercedes p/n 126-647-04-01
www.mercedespa...
Tip: Go slowly. Be gentle. Get a helper.
W126 Rear Glass
Mercedes Rear Window Rust
Mercedes rust repair
W126
300SD
How to repair rust on your car

[@compu85]

I just did this repair on my 91 350SDL. To get the glass out I used some suction cups and ratchet straps to keep tension on the seal, and popped it out. Your car looks like it's the same color as mine - astral silver! The rust down below is water going up through the seal, then between the seam on the lip. That's why it's rusty in the middle.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Yes. Same color. Thanks for stopping by!

[@mauriciocamargo6676]

I need to do this job in my 300SD .... I think will not be a hard job ! Thanks !

[@elvisquezada2113]

I wish I have an idea but I am clueless right now . I will keep thinking !!! Meanwhile, I am pretty sure the Impalaman or any followers will come up with a brilliant idea of ways to repair it !

[@wolfgangkaminski1808]

Thanks for your video sharing, I have the same problem with my 500SEC 1983 and it helps me a lot.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Good luck!

[@jameshaliday1929]

been leakin around rubber seal with silicon when put back in,perhaps window has been replaced ,but no sealant on side and bottom ,no x=excuse for that.previous owner had leak and water in trunk, lap in new piece ,should wire feed low temp or braze ,tack welds very thin metal ,use lead fill in rust area and done .

[@aurelioalejandrofolgueira7842]

Me gusta sus vídeos tengo uno así y debo hacer todo ese trabajo ❤

[@znuh]

Love your work, thank you for sharing! You're gonna make me pick up another old diesel Merc!

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Important information☝️👍👌👏🏼good to know to prevent water leaks.

[@hu3rcgtx]

Enjoying the ride!

[@drywaller12345]

Michael, I looked at my rear glass and it's almost identical to your car. Mine's a C126 (coupe). A friend who's got his own garage business had an old crashed W126..saloon......so I'm trying to see what might be portable from that...my boot is pretty bad, so just at investigative stage... I'm not skilled enough to offer ideas, but I imagine it's a fabrication & welding job... thanks for all your help.. Bill

[@ImpalamansGarage]

When it comes to glass, paint, exhaust, and upholstery I think it is best to seek out a specialist in those fields. A good glass shop should be able to tell you whether or not the coupe and sedan back glass is interchangeable. Bot sure if that was the crux of the question. 😁

[@drywaller12345]

Really useful...many thanks..Bill

[@brainwash3282]

Great Video! I hope, you don't have to cut out and replace the whole section between the trunk and the rear window. But actually it doesn't look so bad.

[@jamesbush268]

Good job, no breakage.

[@Johnathan_Waters]

SILICONE SPRAY. Is your absolute BEST friend doing window seals! And LOTS of it!!!

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Thanks !

[@Aaronhouston33]

There was a recall in the 80s the dealer installed a kit

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Ah .... that makes sense. Do you have a link to the original recall documentation ?

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Wasn't there some obvious panel "bonding" visible from the bottom side on a previous video ? Maybe that bond is where the rust has started from ? Improper prep or surface sealing would be my guess... hope you can get at it without marring the surface paint.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Yes. I assume the replacement panel was bonded to the metal beneath and possibly brazed on the ends. I'm guessing. We'll know more in the coming days as I dig into it.

[@marjangeh]

excellent work, tnx.

[@drywaller12345]

Well, The glass is not interchangeable. I took off a few more pieces of the sedan. The rear panel is similar so I'm gonna cut off the back section & as it's in much better condition rust-wise I'll be able to weld the back section....I'll revisit in a couple of weeks.. BILL

[@bradalloway3232]

a like just for the donut opening!

[@ImpalamansGarage]

😂

[@jameshaliday1929]

My project is kinda the same ,78 240 D back window got attaced by vicious overhead branch of tree. Need to turn that sucker into planks. So find replace for old csr ,former courtesy sleigh tacoma merz dealer ,engine from Germany ..oh and car from.Aleman land of overengineered master peices ,crush sleeve rear axle bearing ,Why ? is this car a tank. and I had issue with trunk leak /new trunck rubber installed by local neandrathal motors ,means had to do voer again for proper seal. Cheers Ps I love the Ace brand 100% silicon better than permatex. less money

[@dymsza]

That is good looking donat

[@ImpalamansGarage]

😁

[@Engineerd3d]

If the lip has been bonded in properly figure out some sort of rust converter and clean out the major flakes. Clean and paint the inside. Reinstall the glass. I do not think you would gain much by redoing the whole thing. I could be wrong.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Yes I'll need to determine a reasonable line to draw on this one.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

I'm confused.😯 W126 The HORRORS - Rear window RUST!! Help! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I'm suddenly feeling much better. 🤣🤣

[@akhundov]

Looks like the water was getting INSIDE of the ledge. That is why the rust is on the inside. The ledge looks factory to me. I am puzzled by the adhesive bead on the inside though.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I believe it is a replacement panel and that this job was done some time in the past. Whoever did the work glued the replacement panel down over some rusted metal. That is what I believe happened.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

I think the # 5 panel has been replaced on your car. The first video you did showing the rust, with you in the trunk, shows the # 5 panel with the flat black paint still on it. I don't think your w126 left the factory like that. I could be wrong.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Indeed. It does raise questions. We'll uncover the answers as we go along.

[@richardlazarski4553]

Hmmm. That is a head scratcher and a difficult choice as it's a slippery slope. I'm now embarking on my 2nd w126 project but have yet to have to remove the rear window on either. Check your glass for signs of becoming delaminated along the edges, it will look foggy or milky. It all depends on your plans for the car and how perfect you want to make it. My 350SDL will go to my son assuming it hasn't met an unfortunate event. The mild restomod 420SEL will be super fun when it's done. Both are meant to be daily runners with the normal wear and tear over the years. Is your w126 "special"? Fully optioned? Otherwise mechanically perfect? Tough to tell but I've not watched part one nor any other MB videos. Looks like Smoke Silver in std trim, not sure if it is gas or diesel nor what displacement. I totally appreciate your trying to preserve this car, they are truly phenomenal to drive. Not the quickest, not the fastest but damn solid and people know when you are somewhere. Make sure you are looking at the jack points (where you put the trunk jack as well as the floor jack) at the front sway bar area, above the attachment points for the guide blocks as well as under the battery as well as below the master cylinder which is tough.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

It's a base model 300SD but it does have real leather front seat upholstery, so there's that. lol...... Thanks for stopping by. I've been doing a mild rolling restoration on this old car for a couple of years now. She is a driver and has been on several road trips. If you look back in the videos list of my channel you'll find a lot of content on this car. Cheers.

[@MrEspokeY]

Next step bodywork and paint.?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

We'll start stripping away some paint from that window channel to see how to remove it and go from there. We have to peel the onion for a little while before we can make a decision on how to repair it.

[@herrbela84]

That rust is there probably because someone has pulled he glass out before.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Yeah someone was in there before. They replaced that deck panel with a new one and put it over the top of rusted metal. That's my theory at least. LOL

[@herrbela84]

@@ImpalamansGarage They probably tried to cut out the glass with wire, as weird as i sounds, cut through the metal, the deck panel and the panel below it, down there it is a really sharp angle to hold that wire, welded in a new one above and the panel below they just let it rust. Back then they used butyl too to seal these glasses. Plus the C pillar panels... This was an obvious hack job.

[@georgesand4629]

That is good original paint. If you do it the proper way (cut n weld new metal,primer,paint) it will burn some of the paint. If you go the welding route check out fitzees fabrications on KZbin he’s got a video for window channels.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Thanks George. I discovered a while back that this car appears to have been re-sprayed. There are indications here and there. The paint is in great shape aside from some scratches on the trunk lid that we might be able to buff out. We'll see.

[@letsgetdoing]

My back window Is TRASHED most likely. Mine has definitely been bondo repaired on the corner of the passenger side and it's not good. There's a whole in that area that causes leakage into my trunk where it pools. Underneath the truck us all rusted but luckily I don't see/feel any holes in it anywhere so I SHOULD be able to sand it down. But damn am I NOT looking forward to any of it. Part of me wants to kick the car over a cliff but the other part of me wants to be proud of turning nothing into something. Either way FML.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

The motivating factor for me is "total commitment". Do something to the car that sets off a flag in your brain that says, "oh crap I've done it now. No turning back." I was dreading remodeling a master bath one time so I walked into the bath room with a Sawzall and sawed a huge wedge out of the side of the tub.

[@alexkam4948]

Stupid cut rubber... Haha change new?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Yes. New Mercedes rubber was used.

[@alexkam4948]

@@ImpalamansGarage i just repair 1car... No cut rubber