Droopy sun visors - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-22-2002, 09:55 PM

My sun visors will not stay completely up [touching the headliner]. They fall down a tad every time I go over a bump. I have tried to tighten the philips head screw for each visor but this is not working. How do I tighten my visors? You know we women need all the help we can get when it comes to cars

Thanks...

Gilly · #2 10-22-2002, 10:42 PM

Hi Marie, welcome to MercedesShop.
On your car, i believe this must be a 107 chassis as we call it, which was made from 1972 to 1989. This is a common complaint on these types of SL's, that's why I assume that's what you have.
The screws that you are tightening do little to fix this. There are other screws that will tighten this up, but they aren't as simple to get to. The inside rearview mirror needs to be removed, and the upper lights that are up under the header, on either side of the rearview mirror. Then you'll also notice a couple holes, one on each side, there are also phillips screws in there. Then the vinyl covers on each side can come off, down off that header panel above the windshield. At that point you will be able to see the screws that can be tightened to keep the sunvisors up.

Gilly

4NDELIT · #3 10-23-2002, 01:14 AM

I have this problem too, but am a little confused as to how to remedy this... There are no dome/map lights in my car... do you know how I would do this myself?

ericdee · #4 10-23-2002, 02:48 AM

Here's a picture of what Gilly is referring to, and some links that may be of some help.

28155:

rear view mirror-sun visor loose-560sl

29281:

sun visor

tjohn · #5 10-23-2002, 08:54 AM

It really is that straightforward, at least on my 450sl. Just yank down on the mirror (a good solid yank is needed, don't be shy), and you'll see the screws to remove the trim strips that will give you access to the real screws to tighten the visors. Takes like 5 minutes per visor.

Gilly · #6 10-23-2002, 09:09 AM

4Ndelight:
I can't swear to the fact that your car has these lights or not, typically 107's have them. They are small rectangular lights that insert into the trim on the interior of the car at the top of the windshield, one on each side of the inside rear view mirror. If you really don't have them then it's just one less step, don't let it hold you up if they're NOT there.
The "hidden" screws are in this same area, you'll notice a hole in each of these trim panels, just insert a phillips screwdriver into these holes, there are screws in the bottom of these holes.
Start to finish it takes me longer than 5 minutes per visor. Biggest factor for me is reinstalling the rearview mirror, it can be a difficult task on the older models like this, springs were alot tougher then. Lots easier on the newer cars. I usually use a hammer to do it

, no, no, not the hammer head, I use the hammer handle butted up against the base of the mirror assembly, then pound upwards on the hammer head. I've never had much luck doing it any other way. But of course you need to be careful the handle doesn't slip off forward and damage the windshield.

Gilly

#7 10-23-2002, 10:07 PM

Thanks everyone for the input on fixing my sun visors. Looks like I know what I will be doing this weekend!!

4NDELIT · #8 10-23-2002, 11:49 PM

hey... I tried doing this like you said, and I couldn't even get past the first step... I tried pulling the mirror off, but it wouldn't budge

, so I tightened the screws that are exposed, and guess what... it worked!

Thanks a lot guys, now I can drive without the visors distracting me

alanc · #9 10-24-2002, 01:25 PM

I doubt tightening those exposed screws will help for long. Besides, I'd be afraid the plastic might crack over time if they were over tightened. That mirror is held on by 2 ball bearings--one at each end of a heavy spring. Just pull (by the shaft, not the mirror) till it comes off. You'll probably think you're breaking it, but it'll pop out eventually.

#10 10-24-2002, 04:30 PM

Welcome Marie and good luck to you,

Hey, let's start a dogpile. . . . . . . . .Can anyone reconcile such a fouled up rig for sun visors on any car, much less a car built by a company like MB? To make it worse, how do you put such junk on a flagship vehicle and get away with it?

My SL supposedly listed for $48,500 in 1986, a point in time when I was making about half that as an Army sergeant. You'd think MB could have done better. I would not be able to sleep with such a crime on my conscience - I would find and fix every one of them if it was my car company.

Show of Hands?

Mike

David Langsam · #11 10-24-2002, 09:29 PM

My SL listed for 65k in 1988. That's some inflation. In any event, once you get the headliner off, the adjustment is easy and, i think well designed. That mirror though! I couldn't yank it off without using a screwdriver to pry it off. And I'm a big guy. Getting it back on is just as tough. I can't believe I didn't break it. It's very strong.

David

#12 10-25-2002, 11:34 AM

When I consider that my car is 16 years old with 100k+ miles, it is a bit difficult to fault Mercedes for a sun visor that is just now drooping. Being a big fan of cars, I have had a number of them over the years. And I keep going back to the Mercedes because of their inherent quality. My current Mercedes was not well cared for by the previous owner[s] and it still gets up and goes for me every day like a champ. Not to say though, that I am looking forward to trying to get the mirror off!! .....as a side note, anyone have any experience with add ons like a K&N air filter or a Borla exhaust system?

aldedmon · #13 10-25-2002, 12:56 PM

Hi Marie, Greetings from H-Town. I use K&N's on both my cars. The benefits are not having to cough up $22 ea for those paper jobs. You simply wash/re-oil/replace. Oh and K&N swears that the engine breathes better to. Haven't went went/tried any aftermarket exhaust system yet. Not really sure I will either. Although a little tone would be appreciated in both cars, When a kid passes me(if I let him) in a "pony car", I am repulsed by the loud note. I like my cars silent/stealth.
P.S. Beep me on the Email, If you'd like some asst. fixing the visors.

Blitzen Bob · #14 10-26-2002, 01:24 AM

Just tightening the exposed screws will not do the job. Take some time and do the job right. To remove the mirror, use a
sharp, hard pull. It will feel like you're going to break something off. Thats good, that means you're pulling hard enough.
I don't know why MB engineers decided to "hide" the screws that you need to get at under the trim strip. "Designed like no other car in the world".

Once you get the trim strip off it will be obvious which screw needs tightened. I pull them all the way out and use loc-tite on them. Everything goes back together, just like it came out....UNTIL you try to reinstall the mirror. This is without a doubt the toughest part of the job. Turn it over and look at the bottom side of the mirror. There are two spring loaded pins that must be depressed with equal, steady pressure before it will SNAP back into place. I used to fight these passed the point it was fun anymore(or you were making any money). The first trick is to put a small amount of white grease on the pins, and then work them in and out with a pair of channel lock(water pump)
pliers. These pins get very tight on a twenty year old car. Next I have a piece of 1" dowel cut to about 14" long that I place on the base of the mirror, and hold tight so it doesn't slip off. One well placed sharp RAP from a mallet to the other end of the dowel and the mirror -should- snap into place.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Blitzen

aldedmon · #15 10-28-2002, 11:33 AM

Yeah , You've gotta grease/oil/lube those puppies to get the mirror back on with any sort of ease.