I did this job awhile ago and only my failing memory or bad manners precluded my posting how I did it. Thanks for your 'reminder' LynnS-
The part I'm referring to is #30 at the link...
Russian Parts Site
Only Caveat...the steps I'll list I know work for a '99 SL500. From responses I got way back when, others with 129's were describing elements I couldn't locate on my car which made me think that in different years, the means of getting the visor rod out so you can get the trim piece on may be different than mine.
There are two ways to do this, Quick and Dirty, and the apparent MB way.
Terms I'll use-
o Visor Rod= horizontal rod that sits in 2 clips and holds the visor
o Visor Riser= vertical part of the rod that goes into the bracket in the header
o StarLock Washer= a small, circular lock washer with 'teeth' or points on it's interior used to retain the riser in position
Tools
o Pocket knife w/ small pointed blade or mini screwdriver like the kind used to repair glasses, thin ice pick...i.e., anything you've got that's small with a sharp point.
o Philips screwdriver
o Flat (standard) screwdriver
o Crazy Glue Gel, contact cement (Quick & Dirty only)
o Hammer (yes, you'll need this)
o Flashlight (maybe)
o At least 2 Heineken's (I needed that)
The apparent MB way...
1- If the trim piece mount is still screwed into the assembly in the header, remove it via the opening by the riser and set it aside.
2- With the rod left in it's 2 retaining clips, look upward to the point where the riser goes into the bracket
3- What you should see is a round threaded fixture, a black StarLock retaining washer, and the riser part of the rod
4- To get the rod to release, you have to use the small pointy whatever you've got and push the points of the Starlock washer upward so as to release tension on the Riser. Flashlight may help here.
5- After you've loosened 4-5 of these 'points', rotate the entire visor toward you so it's vertical, and lift the rod out of the 2 retaining clips, while supporting the 'corner' of the visor where the riser turns upward.
6- If you've pried enough of the points loose on the StarLock, the assembly should be loose enough to drop downward with MINOR force. If it doesn't, re-clip the visor and loosen a couple more 'points' on the starlock; repeat beginning of step 6.
7- The starlock washer may or may not come out with the riser. If it doesn't, use your pointed object to pry it out. Whatever you do, don't lose this thing.
8- Put the starlock retaining washer on something flat and sturdy and flatten it out with the hammer. You may have to use your pointed tool or flat screwdriver to press some of the points back into it's original shape before you whack it. NOTE: the reason you're doing this is to re-use the starlock retainer when you put the riser back in the bracket. I couldn't find an equivalent at the hardware store and wasn't about to drive 20 miles to MB Dealer for 2 of these things
9- Open first Heineken; reward yourself
10- Slide the new trim piece over the riser; push the repaired starlock retaining washer back on the riser to a point 3/4 of the way to the bend in the riser/rod
11- Reinsert the riser back into the mounting bracket until it stops. With your fingers, push the starlock up into the mount, then using the flat screwdriver, push the outside of the starlock up into the bracket. You'll have to do a little at a time on each 'side' of this round washer. The starlock should grab onto the threads in the bracket and needs to be level. You only have to get it to 'catch' on the 2nd thread.
12- Let go and see if it holds. If it does, open 2nd Heineken. If it doesn't, it means that the starlock is bent out of shape and you're going to have to flatten it out again. Cursing is permitted if this happens.
13- Position the trim piece, re-insert philips screw, and DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN, simply snug is fine, i.e., as soon as you get resistance on the screw, stop. If you torque down this screw too tight, when the top latches operate and put force on the header, it will snap the mounting piece on the back of the trim or worse yet, cause the trim itself to crack/splinter.
You're done-
Quick & Dirty
o At the narrowest point on the trim piece itself, using your hands, snap a break in the trim piece. Yes, you read correctly.
o Using the now created split in the trim, simply pry the ends apart and put the trim piece over the rod WITHOUT REMOVING THE RISER.
o Before you reattach the trimpiece with the mounting screw, use Crazy Glue gel on the edges of the piece where you snapped it. Reglue, let it dry, reattach and you're done.
On my car, I did the passenger side the hard way, the driver's side Q&D...ran out of beer.
Good Luck and Have Fun-
Bob
Linear Mode
