'98 C280 Passenger Mirror Fix

[Hookster]

Just thought I would post this in case someone else has the same problem and does not want to shell out the bucks for a new mirror assembly.

I've had some challenges with a broken passenger side mirror. Somehow, the hook thing that holds the mirror assembly in place broke. Replacing it meant getting an entire mirror assembly (less the cover). That was a bit too pricey (> $200). I figured there had to be a way to fix it. The spring they use in these mirrors is ridiculously strong (would probably work on a suspension somewhere), anyway, my first attempt was to epoxy the hook back on. Didn't think it would work, and it didn't. It did result in the area getting filled with epoxy. I then tried screwing an eye hook into the epoxy. That held for about a month, but the eye hook pulled out of the epoxy. My last fix, and I am confident this will hold is to basically bolt an eye hook through the thing, using a couple of fender washers for support. Here are some pics. A couple of bucks for parts and a couple hours and this should be stronger that original.


I had to grind off the washers so the rubber would fit back through.


Back side picture. No problems with clearance after it is installed.


Assembled, not sure what possessed them to use the monster spring on these mirrors.