Quick sun roof question - 560SEL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MikeTangas · #1 07-10-2002, 01:21 AM

Does the wind deflector pop up automatically, or is it a manual deflector?

I was noticing this evening that I could press up on the deflector and make a difference in the wind noise through the sun roof. Upon closing the slider, the deflector automatically lowers when the roof is almost closed. Checking the assembly I see where the panel slides over the arms of the deflector to lower it, but see nothing to raise it. The owners manual didn't say anything about this feature (or at least I didn't find anything) and the only deflector problem I found by searching involved one that wouldn't stay up beyond 40 MPH. The shop manual discusses adjustments of the deflector, but again, I found nothing regarding auto/manual deflector operation.

Thanks y'all.

WRM · #2 07-10-2002, 02:05 AM

THE DEFLECTOR HAS 2 SPRINGS ON IT. ONE ON EACH END THAT POP IT UP WHEN THE SUNROOF MOVES BACK. THE ARMS ON EACH SIDE ARE USED TO PUT TENSION ON THE SPRINGS WHEN CLOSING.

MikeTangas · #3 07-10-2002, 10:45 AM

OK, thanks. It doesn't pop up on it's own so I'll have to checkout why. Maybe the springs are worn/missing or there is something out of adjustment.

greenacres2 · #4 07-10-2002, 12:47 PM

Mine's the same as Mike's, so I bet most of us are in the same boat. I'm not gonna bother with it if it isn't a verrrrrry easy fix, I'll just keep reaching up to do it by hand.

dpetryk · #5 07-10-2002, 02:44 PM

They are supposed to pop up by themselves. I ended up replacing the springs with some new and or different type from the dealer. It fixed the problem. The fix is easy once you know the trick to getting the thing off the car.

MikeTangas · #6 07-10-2002, 11:56 PM

Looked in the shop manual and don't see any springs in the exploded (or what passes as an exploded picture) picture. Looking closely at the assembly, without disassembly, I see what appears to be two small hinge springs, about 2 inches in from each end (I can only see what may be one leg of the spring). The only other places I can imagine a spring is located would be inside the deflector lifting arm or under the slide rail trim.

Disassembly of the deflector, by the manual, appears to be easy enough. But there does seem to be some implied "first hand knowledge" requirement with a lot of "by feel" adjustment.

I may stop by the dealer tomorrow as I have to go on down to the big city. I'll see if they have these updated springs.

MikeTangas · #7 07-11-2002, 03:40 PM

Stopped by the dealer on my way back from town. On their fiche the springs were clearly visable. Picked up a left and right spring and a pair of supports for the grand sum of $4.80. Well, I also grabbed a tub of slide paste since I was there, slightly increasing my cost out the door. Now to figure out how to get it all apart and back together. These hinge springs look like they'll be a PITA to wrap.

dpetryk · #8 07-11-2002, 03:45 PM

I played with it for a while before I discovered the secret. Its been a while otherwise I could share it with you. (bad memory is hell) It seemed like after I had done it, I discovered a much easier way to do it. I have to do it on my 91, so I will probably remember when I start that project.

MikeTangas · #9 07-12-2002, 01:02 AM

Got home from work and decided to give a quick try at changing the spring. Took about 10-15 minutes to get everything apart, hardest part was figuring out how to get the deflector disconnected from the pivots without breaking anything. Got it apart and found both springs intact but weak.

Upon removing the springs from the deflector, I discovered the replacement springs are of a different design and I don't think they'll work. The new spings have two legs, one short and one long where the old springs have a long leg and the opposing end the spring wire is rolled in across the end. It is this roll that allows one end of the old spring to lock in on shaft. I tried for about a half an hour to figure if the new springs would work in any configuration, without success. I decided to reinstall the deflector, minus the springs and I'll take the old springs with me when I go back to the dealer.

I'll probably try to get the springs in after I get back from my vacation.

dpetryk · #10 07-12-2002, 09:13 AM

They do work. I had to figure out how to install them. They dont go in like the old ones. But they will work. I looked at my 87 and I cant see them otherwise I would send a picture. It took me several hours to get it right. Dont give up.

MikeTangas · #11 07-12-2002, 12:12 PM

I think I figured these springs out.

Lucky (or unlucky) for me, I'm office bound today AND for some reason I brought my parts with me, probably because I expected to be on the road with an opportunity to swing by the dealer. Anyway, I called the dealer to verify I received the correct parts, they said I did and referred me to the Service Dept.

Now you'll love this, the Service Dept. tells me "oh, those springs won't work on the old style draft deflector, you'll have to buy the complete updated assembly". I don't think so.

I brought my parts in from the car and started looking at them closely, comparing old to new and studying the "supports" that came with the new springs. The partsman yesterday referred to the supports as "shaft bushings", so I never looked at them yesterday. This morning I noticed there are small holes in the sides of these pieces, about the diameter of the spring steel. Playing with the parts I figured out how the support attaches to the spring, and it appears the support should just clip on to the edge of the deflector.

It looks like the new springs will hold their set longer than the originals, and the extra supports should take the tension load off the deflector shafts. I'll try getting them in as soon as I get home this afternoon.

Now if I can clean up all the paperwork and whatnot that I need to do, maybe I can hit the road for a few hours.

MikeTangas · #12 07-12-2002, 08:49 PM

Within 20 minutes of getting home from work, I pulled the deflector back out, mounted the springs and reinstalled the deflector. Pops up immediately once the slider has moved back about 4 inches.

For future reference, here is what the updated spring assembly looks like mounted (looking at the right end of the deflector in the upside down position).

The next hard part was deciding how the long leg of the spring is retained. In the bright sunlight I could not see that there are two small holes in the roof bracket. Once I broke out a bright flashlight I could see them. The trick is to slip the long leg into the hole while attaching the end in the brackets. Not too hard on the left side but it took a little more skill to get the right side. Thrid try and it was in.

Thanks for pushing me Dave

.

SCOTTFISH · #13 10-13-2004, 01:09 AM

Hi, I have a 90 420sel and need to replace the deflector. I have another deflector with new plastic clips to fit on the spring rod where the spring is. I have taken the alluminum looking strip off, but can't seem to figure out how to remove the old deflector and install the new one. Can you give me some detailed instructions on how to remove the old one and install the new one? If you could email that to me, I would greatly appreciate it. My email is scottfish@peoplepc.com. Thanks a whole bunch! Scott