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  #1  
Old 09-23-2013, 05:10 PM
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R107 Rear View Mirror Re-Installation Woes...

Hello all,


Having just re-done my 380SL's male/female visor clips as well as having adjusted visor tension, the time came to put everything back together again


After 30 min I had everything perfectly back in place EXCEPT the inside rear view mirror.


I have now just spent a frustrating THREE HOURS trying to get it back in.


Thus far I have tried:


Using heavy gauge electrical wire on either side between the tabs and pins to keep the spring compressed and pins retracted. Not enough clearance to install/withdraw.


Using both a wooden drift with a hammer as well as a rubber mallet to bang it it. No luck – all I managed to do was to mar the vinyl coating on the mirror stalk.


Using small disks of plastic rod/aluminum tube/wooden dowel wrapped with dental floss on either bottom side between the tabs and pins to keep the spring compressed and pins retracted. When I try to remove these with their dental floss lanyards, the action of the pin(s) snapping back into place kicks either one or both sides out.


Madding.


Have any of you successfully reinstalled the bugger single handed w/o an assistant using some other method and if so, how?


Many thanks in advance!

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  #2  
Old 09-23-2013, 07:14 PM
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It is pretty stiff by design (are you SURE it is the same width as the one you pulled out, that is, the same model???). Don't break the windshield! This has been done by others.

Not to disparage your strength, but get a friend with big, meaty hands. Believe it or not, I have put this in with my bare hands. I was mad, though.
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  #3  
Old 09-23-2013, 07:29 PM
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Same-same...

Yeah, the risk of breaking the windshield is really giving me pause when it comes to using mallets etc.

Have a decent grip myself but I worry that I'll over flex/stretch the coating and tear it if I don't do it in a swift, smooth fashion.

Looks like I'll just have to wait for my ex-wife to call and let her melodic voice guide my hands...
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Old 09-23-2013, 09:26 PM
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Can you get a large "C" clamp around it and slowly squeeze it into place?
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  #5  
Old 09-24-2013, 10:51 AM
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do you try a little silicone, or similar to help slide in? Gentle heat
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  #6  
Old 09-29-2013, 07:44 AM
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It's been a while, but IIRC I used to seat the front end and use a small block of wood and rubber mallet directly on the back part of the base to seat the rear.

Of course the more definitive solution was when I upgraded to the 129--no more visor problems. I do get to gain an understanding of the world's most complicated convertible top, into the bargain.............
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  #7  
Old 09-29-2013, 09:40 AM
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Lube pins and springs then

then seat one side. Use a wood block and one sharp rap with a hammer should seat the other side.
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  #8  
Old 10-06-2013, 06:34 PM
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I've fought this to frustration before - then figured out that I had the mount with the three screws installed up side down. Fixed that and it went in easier.
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  #9  
Old 10-07-2013, 05:17 PM
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Thumbs up Thank You

Gentleman, my sincere thanks for all of your helpful and insightful suggestions. I will give them all a try tomorrow when I spend the day ministering to my 380SL and let you know how I make out.


Cheers!
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  #10  
Old 10-08-2013, 11:30 AM
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And the winner is...

Quote:
Originally Posted by cushjbc View Post
I've fought this to frustration before - then figured out that I had the mount with the three screws installed up side down. Fixed that and it went in easier.
Odd thing is that I could have sworn that I maintained original (if not correct) orientation the whole time!

Well, that is some real egg on my face then for not catching the blindingly obvious.

What is quite frightening is, if in fact I did keep it oriented as it was, how did the previous owners' mechanic put it in there!?

I came just too damn close using a block and 2 four-inch c-clamps!

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