92 300CE rear view mirror installation
 

It may be obvious, but how do I replace the inside rear view mirror on this car? I have the new mirror assembly; just need to know how it goes into the center area of the car. Can someone please give me a short bit of info on this, indicating any pitfalls I might encounter?? Thanks, Ben Carter

you have to have a leap of faith and just yank it real hard.

it is spring loaded. wait till you see the gauge of the spring. all in all in only took a couple of minutes to do.

i do have to clarify one thing.... ours is a 1989...so it has no automatic nightime feature...don't know if yours does or no.

the housing around our rear view mirror more or less disentegrated. i got a new one from a member here...

Mirror installation
 

Yes, I can see that heavy spring in the new unit; it is quite impressive. I think my housing is OK, it is the mirror section that is loose as a goose -- as they say. I will give it a good pull and plug in the new one; thanks for the advice. (I don't have the automatic unit fortunately and really don't want it)
Ben Carter

good luck...just yank..

you may use a screwdriver to help put it back in.. i can't remember if we did that or were about to do that...

Brn, putting the new one in is sometimes difficult. Take you time lining up the edges with the small depressions in the holder where the mirror assembly tips go, then push it up and in.

Mirror removal and installation
 

Well, I did give my rear view mirror on the 300CE "a good yank"; in fact several good yanks -- and the whole assembly including the base plate came out!! I actually pulled the attaching screws right out of the holes and had to detach the old mirror base with a screwdriver and reinstall the base plate with new screws. I have not attempted the installation yet, but that does appear to be a difficult task, with the very heavy spring tension that must be overcome. In fact, I am going to use a wooden "yoke" to help put heavy pressure on the mirror base to force it into place. I may try it first without that "tool", but think I am going to need extra control and leverage. Stay tuned for the final episode ........ BC

I am sorry to hear of your troubles.

We were told to yank and did. I hope I didn't give you bad advice.

I know the whole assembly is supposed to come out... you can't just replace the mirror... you need the who unit as one..

I hope the base plate can just screw back in.

The final episode, rear view mirror installation 300CE
 

Well, I screwed the base plate back in fine, but happened to pop that strong spring out of the new mirror. After trying all kinds of tools and approaches to get the spring back in, I finally put the spring in my vise and squeezed it down hard. I then was able to reinsert it and then spread it back out with a screwdriver. The mirror installation itself went pretty well; I used a short piece of wood to put good pressure on the base and it popped right into the hole .... job completed! (I think perhaps just pullng the mirror assembly out is a reasonable approach, but in my case it would not let loose and finally brought out the base and all. However it was rectified as discussed and the new mirror is in. I certainly hope I never have to put another one in that car!)

congratulations... i was worried for a bit..

The trick is patiently and carefully lining up the little pointy ends on the base of the mirror with the indentations on the base plate which is attached to the roof. If both points are lined up precisely, little force is needed. Don't try to muscle it in with a hammer or anything. It'll almost click right in with a bit of upward force.

I've removed and installed plenty of those, I designed some of the mirrors and mounts for Mercedes-Benz.

The removal however, is forward, as if you would hit it with your head in an accident. Pulling it toward you will work usually, but forward is the designed release direction (two screws in the rear of the mount-plate, one in the front).

Do try to avoid hitting and cracking the windshield when removing though.