Hello, I have a 1981 Mercedes 300SD with the 3rd [middle] sun visor above the rear view mirror. I am relatively new to restoration of this type and would like to know how I would go about replacing the middle sun visor.
Am I going to have to take off part of the headliner, or is there a simpler way to do it? It seems to me that if I can get the rear view mirror off, I can take out the old visor and replace it. I have a repair manual for this car, but it does not have anything about this topic.
Any help or suggestions would greatly be appreciated! Thanks!

The mirror is held in the header bracket by 2 spring-loaded pins. Just grasp the mounting arm firmly and pull away from the window to pop it out. It's designed to break away in the event of a collision, instead of piercing your forehead.
I can look at the 3rd visor in my 380SE tomorrow and see how it is attached, if you have need of an opinion...

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

Thanks Don!

I had been told that the mirror was a break-away type, but did not know if it would be difficult to re-secure or if that is what I need to take off in order to put the middle visor in.
The middle visor has a few small male ends that appear to fit into slots, so it may be that they fit up under the mirror.
If you have time to look at yours, I'd appreciate any feedback you might offer.
Thanks again for your time and detailed mirror photo.

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1981 300SD Turbo Diesel

I figured out how to replace the middle [3rd] visor on my 1981 300SD.
Very simple after some tinkering.

Just remove the mirror as Don stated, loosen the mirror bracket almost until it is completely off, remove the old visor, place new visor with the male ends aligned into the slots and re-tighten the mirror bracket.

Thanks again Don for the photo of the mirror! Greatly appreciated.

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1981 300SD Turbo Diesel

The 123 is attached the same way. the mirror on our W123 was looking a little discolored. so I located a nice one at Pick N Pull.
The one on our car came off really easy, hit it with my hand. the one at PNP I beat on it with my rubber dead blow hammer, thing didn`t want to come off. being at PNP I didn`t care, there were other 123`s so if I broke it. OH well. amazing how tough the mirror bracket is.

when I replaced it in our car,I had my wife hold it in tight with one of the pins in place with some pressure on it. I placed the handle of one dead blow hammer against the base, and whacked the head of the hammer with another 3# dead blow hammer. after quite a few attempts, and applying some oil on the pins it snapped in. that spring really has some tension on it.
I have some Harbor Freight dead blow hammers, worth their weightin gold sometimes.

I wish our 123 had one of those 126 center visors.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

The mirror is designed to Not break away in the event of a collision...to Not Break away...