Need a little advise on cabin rear view mirror. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Clemson88 · #1 10-17-2018, 09:47 AM

I removed this from a parts car. It's in good shape but when pulling down on the assembly my hand slipped and took the lower unit off the arm.

When trying to press the ball back into the housing the frame deformation suggest it will break before the ball goes back into the housing.

Is there a trick to this or any suggestion on how to get this back together?

vwnate1 · #2 10-17-2018, 11:20 AM

Just lay the mirror on a hard flat surface and twist the bracket as you firmly press it into place .

Sometimes these get loose and floppy, no worries, just go buy another one .

To remove from the car, hit the bracket in the elbow portion, side ways with the side of your fist .

Clemson88 · #3 10-17-2018, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Just lay the mirror on a hard flat surface and twist the bracket as you firmly press it into place .

Sometimes these get loose and floppy, no worries, just go buy another one .

To remove from the car, hit the bracket in the elbow portion, side ways with the side of your fist .

The little plastic hemispherical housing has two slight cracks in it. The last time I tried to force the arm back into place the mirror broke with the pressure.

Next time I remove one I'll do as you said and strike the arm from the side.

Thank you, sir.

Diesel911 · #4 10-17-2018, 11:37 AM

Before you start find something to lube the face of the Ball that goes into the socket. I don’t know if sitting it out in the Sun would help or not. It would help the Ball go into the socket but would also make the rest of the plastic more flexible.

maybe you can find a way to insulate the rest of the plastic but warm the socket.

They likely have used mirrors on eBay.

Diesel911 · #5 10-17-2018, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clemson88

The little plastic hemispherical housing has two slight cracks in it. The last time I tried to force the arm back into place the mirror broke with the pressure.

Next time I remove one I'll do as you said and strike the arm from the side.

Thank you, sir.

You could see if you can pry out the mirror glass to keep it safe. In any event if you do nothing you have no usable mirror and if you do something and ruine it you have no mirror.
Doing something is the only chance you have to reuse the mirror.

vwnate1 · #6 10-17-2018, 11:00 PM

Lubing the ball will result in the mirror moving with the slightest touch, DON'T LUBE THAT BALL ! .

It really does put right in, the twisting oart is the key to not breakins it .

C.Doner · #7 10-17-2018, 11:41 PM

you can put some rubber cement in the ball area that will gum up the pivot to make it stay in place. It worked for me for about two years.

t walgamuth · #8 10-18-2018, 07:26 AM

I'd lick it and get the plastic as warm as possible before inserting ball.

Mxfrank · #9 10-18-2018, 03:59 PM

I don't know how to reinstall it, but if you want to toss in the towel, I'd be interested in the arm for a project I've had in the bottom drawer...mounting a Gentex mirror in my 190D.

Shortsguy1 · #10 10-19-2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I'd lick it and get the plastic as warm as possible before inserting ball.

Sorry Tom, but my sophomoric sense of humor found your comment quite amusing.

Clemson88 · #11 10-19-2018, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

I don't know how to reinstall it, but if you want to toss in the towel, I'd be interested in the arm for a project I've had in the bottom drawer...mounting a Gentex mirror in my 190D.

I may have three if this casing breaks. Shoot me a tmail and we'll see about getting one to you.

Clemson88 · #12 10-19-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shortsguy1

Sorry Tom, but my sophomoric sense of humor found your comment quite amusing.

At lease he didn't suggest I lick the ball.

Clemson88 · #13 10-19-2018, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I'd lick it and get the plastic as warm as possible before inserting ball.

Actually, you're onto something. If froze the arm and waved a heat gun across the plastic the ball would shrink and the warm plastic might be soft enough to allow the connection.

The heat would have to be low so the glass assemble wouldn't suffer. I'll tell you from experience, that plastic won't accept the ball without breaking the Day/night feature on an old mirror assembly. I've tried a couple without success.

mbzr4ever · #14 01-30-2019, 05:52 AM

I need a new rear view mirror for a 91 W124 300E - present one is totally cracked.

Peligan parts is out of stock - anyone have any other sources for new or used replacements?

foolio · #15 01-30-2019, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbzr4ever

I need a new rear view mirror for a 91 W124 300E - present one is totally cracked.

Peligan parts is out of stock - anyone have any other sources for new or used replacements?

I’ve got one of these in both my w124 and w126. Nice to have the autodim, Homelink, and compass built in. Looks right at home too.

http://www.2phast.com/mirror/showcase.htm