Mirror Removal Technique
 

Are there forum awards for screwing up simple things? If so, I'm sure I'm in the running.

Having read and watched a video about replacing a the rear view mirror on a W124, I thought I knew what I needed to remove the mirror. However, after many attempts, the mirror simply wouldn't budge. Concluding that I wasn't pulling hard enough, I eventually got the mirror out....but the bracket came with it. Broke two screws and the other pulled through. Something had to give...either the spring or the bracket...and in my case it was the bracket.

My question: did I likely do something wrong? Specifically, I'm wondering if I should have yanked at more of an angle. Or are there some cases where the spring simply won't yield?

Hopefully installing the new mirror will be uneventful....but apparently that's the more challenging part of the process.

They just pop right off. It takes a bit of a tug to be sure but not enough to rip out the mounting bracket. I'm wondering it the thing got rusted in such a way that the spring loaded nipples wouldn't release?

No, there doesn't appear to be any corrosion on the spring apparatus. I kept tugging with increased force but it wouldn't budge....until it did, bracket and all.

I screw up less than I used to but still........

Now you know.

Reading a thread over on Benzworld, I think my mistake was pulling directly down.

Hey, shertex......I was at least partially responsible for breaking (shearing) the mounting bracket or post on my old W210's right outside mirror assembly. So, the mirror frame would just flop on it's hinge. -Not good. At the time, before coming aware of this site/Internet and YouTube info on how-tos, I simply bought a replacement frame at the MB dealer. Yowser, I think I paid $200.00 for it - anyway, on the W210s there's a DIY fix to screw-in a screw which serves as a post to attach the spring to - that replaces the bracket on the W210s. Don't know if this helps you on your W124, but I found the 'fix' somewhere on this or BW, instead of buying as new mirror frame @ MB.

once
 

I once hit myself in the head when the mirror let loose. I don't recall if I was removing a good mirror or a bad mirror. My head hurt for a while. I haven't done that again. In any route, I don't remember breaking the mirror.

Got it done. Needed a slightly larger diameter screw to secure the bracket. Put a bit of oil on one end of the spring assembly to help it click in. One thing I read that helped immensely: placed the HANDLE of a rubber mallet against the mirror and then hit the HEAD of the mallet with my hand. Clicked in on first try.

This is one case where shrek hands are best (I have shrek hands)

I use the back of my hand against the windscreen edge (padded with towel) and lever it out towards the rear of the car at a slight downward angle. I have removed about half a dozen junkyard car mirrors this way. - a few seconds and it pops out.

for easement of installation apply some wax like lockeze on one of the cones and it will plop back in.

btw I love the grease crayon stick, once applied it stays put and it doesnt stink or stain anything either.

Hey don't feel so bad, I dropped the sunroof pan in my euro and didn't remove the cable tube....yeah it bent it to hell and then snap!

Well I always wanted a manual sunroof :D