I had to replace both of the front plastic sun visor pieces that were cracked and both of them fell apart. I can not seam to find them anywhere. None on ebay for over a month. I need both the left and right side (tan). Any suggestions on where to get them...
that is really useful info. when i got the car, the caps were cracked plus were missing the small bracket that takes the screw . i removed the entire visor and rod and epoxied small brackets and and the crack with the caps in place, which was a real pain. next time .................
I'm sorry but I would NOT suggest that you lubricate the sun visor shaft or pivot point in any way. Because when I tried using just a little silicon spray from a cloth I would have the visor positioned against the driver side window and when I would take a corner the visor would swing from it's fixed position and hit me in the head. Same thing with the Visor shaft. If you want the visor to hold in particular position before you know it it will start inching down and covering your vision. Trust me or don't. But I've been there and done that!
Before you know it I had to take everything a part and clean the Silicone off as best as I could with something like my CRC spray solvent.
Can that spring clip on the ball joint shaft be tightened, or does it have to be replaced when it loosens up?
Mine are nice and tight for the time being, but floppy visors are one of my few phobias, and if need be, I'd like to have a set of spring clips handy just in case.
p/n 12981011109045 left sun visor, Anthracite Charcoal - $245.64
p/n 12981105619045 left sun visor cap, Anthracite Charcoal - $38.64
p/n 12981012109045 right sun visor, Anthracite Charcoal - $245.64
p/n 12981106619045 right sun visor cap, Anthracite Charcoal - $38.64
p/n 12981023179051 sun visor vanity mirror, Anthracite Charcoal - $120.06
remember to check parts.com shipping policies so that you don't come back and complain about a minimum ship charge of $10.99 on a 050 cent part.
So be sure and be proactive on your part ordering from this site and purchase a discounted price greater than $73.27 x 1.15 = $84.26.
So you have to ask yourself if you can get two new sun visor caps for less than $42.13 each vs. a list price of $47.00 + tax + gas at your local MB dealer.
thank you for your great work on this thread (and so many others).
I agree, moving star clips without damaging them is tricky, and I wouldn't do it if I didn't have to. My experience with removing star clips on different parts is that you need to be very careful, steady, and patient. I typically lift up the individual prongs just a little bit, piece by piece, going in a circular pattern, and thus walking the clip off the rod.
I agree, moving star clips without damaging them is tricky, and I wouldn't do it if I didn't have to. My experience with removing star clips on different parts is that you need to be very careful, steady, and patient. I typically lift up the individual prongs just a little bit, piece by piece, going in a circular pattern, and thus walking the clip off the rod.
Likewise I lifted the individual prongs just a little bit, piece by piece, going in a circular pattern, and thus walking the clip off the rod. But I found that no matter how gentle I was the star clip still ended up being distorted. So only after I slightly flattened the clip with a gentle hammer did it bring the star back into it's original fit but never a like new condition.
I have been thinking about nipping this problem of repeatedly failing trim pieces in the bud by offering casted or molded pieces for replacement (and throwing in new star clips for those folks who would prefer going the clip-route).
With the quantities required for affordable molding, I'm not crazy about having to create the same part in many different colors, and we might be facing the problem of these parts deteriorating just as quickly as the OEM pieces, or not even matching colors well enough on better materials. I have been considering casting them out of aluminum and then powder coating in the various colors needed. Obviously a fairly expensive way to make the parts, but maybe the best for over all quality.
I have my own preferred route in mind, but would appreciate hearing what our various experts on the forum think!
I have been thinking about nipping this problem of repeatedly failing trim pieces in the bud by offering casted or molded pieces for replacement (and throwing in new star clips for those folks who would prefer going the clip-route).
With the quantities required for affordable molding, I'm not crazy about having to create the same part in many different colors, and we might be facing the problem of these parts deteriorating just as quickly as the OEM pieces, or not even matching colors well enough on better materials. I have been considering casting them out of aluminum and then powder coating in the various colors needed. Obviously a fairly expensive way to make the parts, but maybe the best for over all quality.
I have my own preferred route in mind, but would appreciate hearing what our various experts on the forum think!
As someone who has recently replaced one of the trim pieces only to see it beginning to crack already.... Well, it seems like a good idea.
Painting rather than powder coating could make it simpler, as inventory could be kept in primer only and painted on demand, or powdercoating in only the most common color(s) allowing for painting of the less commone ones.????
Albert, thank you for your concern. You are right - it would be very hard to make a return on this. Making a profit wasn't necessarily my first objective here, but I don't want to make a loss on this and the money is probably better invested in coming up with other repair and rebuild services needed for our cars.
My philosophy is to make things better, so I'm not inclined to produce cheap plastic pieces that will break just as quickly as the OEM parts - I prefer to have happy customers.
Thus, I have looked into the cost of casting the trim pieces out of aluminum and then powder coating them to match the various interior colors. Going with a trusted, high quality US supplier, and not counting my time involved, we certainly wouldn't brake even before selling some 500 pieces at around $30/piece. While sourcing other parts in the future, maybe I'll come across an outfit that can produce the molds less expensively, and follow up at that point...
I find it hard to believe that Mercedes is the only one who uses these clips...
BTW, why do these trim caps break so frequently in the first place? On mine, the one on the passenger side was cracked and dangling, so I eliminated both of them.
BTW, why do these trim caps break so frequently in the first place? On mine, the one on the passenger side was cracked and dangling, so I eliminated both of them.
Well, I just arrived at this party so I've got some catching up to do!
Never had this problem before, but just moved my visor and the whole thing landed in my lap! Of course the trim piece broke when this happened, hopefully I can glue it considering what they seem to go for.
I wondered what the star washer went to when it fell in my lap last year, luckily I saved it. I'm just surprised the visor didn't fall off before this!
I also have a what looks like a chrome washer that fell off about the same time, is this part of the same assembly?
Truly hard to believe you can't just buy the star washer or find a suitable replacement. Has anybody tried some place like Tacoma Screw? I may check and see if they have something comparable.
Does Mercedes sell the plastic pice that attatches to the rod and mounts the sun visor? I would imagine that you would have to buy the rod and the plastic piece as they appear to be joined from the factory?
Does Mercedes sell the plastic pice that attatches to the rod and mounts the sun visor? I would imagine that you would have to buy the rod and the plastic piece as they appear to be joined from the factory?
This auction shows the exact same style star washer used to hold the visor to the pivot pin - and an MB part # to boot. Don't know if they are the same size, but buying one shouldn't be too big of an investment to check...
Here is the MB P/N for when this auction goes away 000 994 96 45 and pic:
This auction shows the exact same style star washer used to hold the visor to the pivot pin - and an MB part # to boot. Don't know if they are the same size, but buying one shouldn't be too big of an investment to check...
Here is the MB P/N for when this auction goes away 000 994 96 45 and pic:
When I go to Parts.com p/n 0009949645 comes back as a LOCK CLIP and that means we can now go to our MB parts counter and order it for about $2.40 + tax or place it as a part of a Parts.com order for $1.95 w/ S&H instead of the eBay price of $25.00/5 each = $5.00 each.
I guess these are not the right ones. I thew in two from parts.com while I was getting my micro switch for the top. They look close but they are the size of the penny! (unless they sent me the wrong one)
Since this thread has been revived ..... As it should.
BEFORE you place the new cheap arse plastic piece onto the sunvisor assmbly TRY this-
Works on every brittle piece of plastic
Step 1- Superglue the orig piece together (unless new obviously)
Step2 - GET "JB weld" and cover a thin covering over the back of the plastic ---MAKING SURE NOT TO LET IT DRIP onto the visible front area! You can leave the jb weld sit for about 45-60mins before applying to make it less runny!
Step 3 - Place it in the hot sun for the day !
viola ! Hard as steel and wont crack !
**IF you make sure to put spacers behind the mounting screws to take the tension off the plastic you wont break it again **
however with the jbweld i did not have to use spacer...but you should to be safe -- Unless you enjoy doing it again:crybaby2::crybaby2:
P.S. It also work on the center console to stop the cracks !!
and dash plastic,door plastic,vents, door trim, batt covers......etc etc you get the idea !!!!
PPS To remove the round metal clip use a house nail and GENTLY pry up 2tabs
to replace the round star clip - Do not use a hammer but use a pair of vise grip or pliers directly smashing down the center-- then grab a 10-12mm socket and GENTLY tap the clip back on--- !! i have reused the clips several times till i found the jb weld cure !!
Deep Appreciation :thumbsup:to all who've built this thread especially Benzbrat who seemed to discover the smoothest way to remove the visor shroud with photos, Klaus/Lighthouse and Poundy for the step by step photos. Three minutes per side to remove this afternoon, superglue to crack in shroud, washer glued to rear of fitting brass nut and hot melt glue to support the repair and a smear of lithium grease on the visor rod:thumbsup:. Without the forum I would have floundered and never understood what the designer probably provided for.
I think the splits can be caused by mechanics repairing the hydraulics in the screen. It was uncanny that my breaks were so uniform.
Seems there are some that slide off and some that don't. I did ask a MB Mech I met at a car show if they removed the star washer on later models for removal. The best answer he would give was " If we did that we would need to put the labor charge up" but wouldn't disclose trade secrets.
Go figure.
This might not be of interest anymore, but the Star Washer is a standard industrial fixture, probably cost $0,01 to produce and $0,1 if you buy ten of them.
Anyway, they come in any size, just measure the rod and a quick search on Ebay will get you them, unless you want OEM, which will be the same but sold by MB.
FYI....the star washer being discussed are more commonly known as push nuts and are available at any hardware store.
lynns I have a 99 and I need to get the trims in tan.
I'm thinking I will try the pull method first.
Update to follow.
I don't think tht PULL method will work on your MY 99. Please be careful.
If you need a Surround in Tan your best bet is to go to the EPC with your VIN or a Stealers Parts Counter with your VIN and find out what the 4 digit color code is for your interior plastic. After that you can put the full number (no spaces) in at Parts.com and check the Discount Price plus 15%. The price will usually beat a Dealer + Tax price.
How are the plastic hinges on your visor Vanity Mirror? You might consider purchasing a new Vanity Mirror assembly as well.
Is that because the mirror covers are sure to break off when I try to yank on the visor? LOL. Thats really is a good thought because they are a different color than the rest of the trim. It seem that the all plastic pieces get uglier over time. I just fixed my armrest button with the help of a forum pictorial, but was sorry to see that the colored rear plastic top that is exposed with the armrest forward has the same discoloration.
No, it's because the vanity mirror cover hinge gets brittle over time and usage and needs replacement. I have a 2000 that I had to replace my driver side vanity mirror due to a brittle hinge.
I did this job today on my 2000 sl500 and the visors do slide off the rail with a little tug. If you look at the visor rail, there is a flat side to it to allow you to pull it off and push it back on.
I sliced up a rubber wiring grommet to use as the backing washer and if anyone needs to know the color code for their tan interior it's 1A26.
Well gentleman I just went out to my 2000. Retracted the soft top and tried my darnedest to remove the visors from there rods on both sides of the car. I positioned the visors like your pictures show. Then pulled, tapped, etc. short of braking something that's not broken and working just fine. So I decided to call it quits.
Why brake something that isn't broken? But I was open to trying your technique. I only wish it would work as easy as you make it sound.
Yes i had them in that position to pull them off. Thanks for saving me time and frustration.
Jeff
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