I recently bought a used window seal (drivers door) to replace the cracked one in my 1985 240 DL. It apparently fits into a channel around the window but the seal extends down inside the door frame and is sort of U shaped. Do I have to remove the drivers door panel or the window itself to put the new one in?

Previous posts are correct--you'll have to take the door panel off. But even I was able to figure that one out on my own, so it is a truly DIY job.

While you're into the door, you should be ready with a replacement ext. door handle. They all go bad on the driver's door, but you can get an indentical one from the *rear* (used only a fraction as much) left door of a junker.

you want to avoid taking the door panel off more times than you have to. The panel is basically cardboard and tends to tear or break when you're popping off the fasteners. You might even be ready with a door speaker upgrade at the same time. Or else pop the speaker cover off (need to do this from behind) and leave it off until you have the replacement speaker. You can push the cover back on from the front once you've got the speaker in place.

There will be two (three?) fasteners in the middle of the door panel below the window sill. You have to come at these from the side, so you'll need a really long screwdriver or some other flat tool.

Good luck.

Doug Harvey

Yup thats the guide channel for the glass, the window has to come out. Never seen those go bad. Its usually the scraper seals at the bottom that get all cracked.

It's pretty unusual but I had one get all folded over in my 86, and replaced it. Pretty easy, more or less the same job as replacing a window or any other work in the door. I'm pretty good- I can be inside a door in 5 minutes. The track just required a little pulling and patience. Not real difficult.
The door handle comes off with two screws, then turn it straight up and pull out. The pull handle surround pops off. The lock knob unscrews. The window crank cover pops off, then 1 phillips screw. The door pocket retainers turn 1/4 turn and pull out, the the pocket tilts up and off. A big screwdriver around the outside edge to pop out each clip, and the door panel lifts up and off. 2 push-on connectors at the speaker.
The window track just slides into the groove- you may need to unsecure the window glass to get it in all the way. Watch sharp edges- if I remember right the window metal channel is very sharp.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 744GLE, 91 244: 808K total

Does the glas slide out of some sort or retaining channel? Can I do it by hand or is a special tool needed?

Thanks Aye Roll