[SteveHawaii]

Due to vandalism needed to replace mirror glass.
Found one on eBay, need to install it.
Thought it was properly installed but it came loose.

No problem with wires.
There is a spring wire and some little hooks on mirror back.
How exactly does one do this? Have tried a dozen times
and have even done it successfully before at least 3 times.
Must be a technique I am missing.

Thanks

 

[khomer2]

Steve,

See if this helps:

Side Mirror Glass Removal

The passenger side mirror of my 1996 E320 hit a trash can in the dark. As a result, the mirror & motor broke off from the base plate (see attached pic). Findings: (1) The motor works; (2) Motor mounting legs sheared off; (3) The left triangular metal clip is missing (see attached pic). Goals...

www.benzworld.org

 

[SteveHawaii]

thanks khomer2, though there was nothing about the technique or simple reassembly,
literally could not take 2 minutes and have done it before

these cars are very complex, and simple things require specific technique very unlike a Lexus,
though once the technique is known relatively easy

 

[raymond-]

So the mirror is still not secured? I don't recall it being complex at all. There are matching plastic snap fit indexing and
grooves which lock into place (preliminary fasteners). Then the metal spring wire latches over the perimeter of the plastic mirror backing and locks (secondary fastener). Some folks have also applied dbl stick tape...just because.

But as with keyboard troubleshooting, trying to interpret words where photos will really help can prove challenging. If you post a photo of where you're getting stuck, I'm sure we can help get this in place in hive fashion. It would be helpful to know what model you're having difficulties with though.

 

[SteveHawaii]

thanks Raymond, at the top of post listed model as '01 E430
I think the issue is getting the spring wire clipped over or into a tab
It is what holds the mirror in place. I have tried using a hook type tool with handle
and still not sure what it clips to or over?

 

[Deplore]

Check on the other mirror, you can bend the mirror forward or backward and you can observe the spring.

There is a tab, and if the tab on the far end of the mirror is broken, it will just flop around.

 

[raymond-]

sorry, i missed seeing the obvious heading on the tiny phone screen.
now on desktop PC and it's obvious.

the springy steel wire is not the only fastener and it works in tandem with
the plastic nubs which snap fit the mirror backing onto the round plastic
part attached to the motor.

snap fit the mirror onto the round plastic motor plate. that, in itself, will
hold the mirror to the motor. it should not come loose even if you turn
and rotate the whole assembly around

attaching the mirror against the round motor plate emits a clear and
audible SNAP. if not, you've not secured it via the plastic perimeter
fasteners yet

next, the steel wire should easily pivot down and slightly over the edge
of the plastic motor plate. THERE IS A LATCH nub of plastic (green
arrow). if it is not there, it has been broken off. you can try JBWeld
something there with a tiny machine screw or ?

between the steel rod and the several plastic snaps surrounding the
mirror, those together help keep the mirror secured

the photo is from a 96-99 style mirror. I don't have access to the 00-02
at this time but the concept should be the same. that said, it is also
possible that your design is different than above which is why I ask
for a photo. We've been surprised in the past to learn that one owner
had an 00-02 mirror cover which fastened differently than one we've
seen for most 00-02 so it was very unique and we were otherwise
trying to provide typed solutions that only a simple photo could have
resolved earlier.

hope the above photo helps

 

[tabijan]

You can slide the mirror fairing off for a better view of the spring clip and how it works.

Sixto
98 E320 wagon 198K miles

 

[SteveHawaii]

So finally scrutinized the replacement mirror to discover tab that holds the spring in place is broken off. Very small and fragile bit and bad quality. After some thought found a piece of copper wire that I believe will serve to hold the spring wire in place securing the mirror. First used super glue to hold wire in place, then after dry, some JB weld for what I hope is a good repair.
Also will use a piece of double sided foam tape to help. Pics attached

Thanks especially to Raymond for pointing out the likely problem.
Will report once successfully installed.

 

[SteveHawaii]

pic showing the retaining spring in place, and the repair completed
note the small copper wire glued with JB weld
now for the install that hopefully will be easy

 

[raymond-]

congratulations for your perseverence ! good fix- that should hold up well. I always keep
tubes of JBWeld in the toolbox

 

[khomer2]

It ain't pretty, but you can't see it, low cost diy fix; does the job.
Mahalo Steve for the photos and update.

 

[SteveHawaii]

As it turns out the repair is only part of the problem, One of the two tiny little securing angled tabs is also broken off.
The thing is about an eight of an inch long. The broken mirror luckily has it but its really small and I will need to somehow cut it off and glue it in place. It is always something. Anyone have a better solution?

 

[SteveHawaii]

No simple way that I was able to figure out on the tiny mirror catch bits one of which was broken off on the replacement mirror I found on eBay. So I bought another that had good pics and everything was intact for $40
Will photograph it and figure out how to put arrows on pic to assist others who undoubtedly will find themselves in similar predicament. There are the stainless guides that are frequently missing but repairable, there is a spring catch, and the two mirror latch bits. Seems the spring catch and latch bits are crucial to securing the mirror.

 

[SteveHawaii]

Second eBay replacement mirror arrived with all latching tabs and the stainless arms intact. $40
I decided to try to save someone else the headache of buying a broken mirror as eBay sellers are either clueless about this or dishonest. The pic has hand drawn circles around the "tabs" that are tiny and easy to miss, but will prevent the mirror from staying in place if missing.

I have to install it but this time it should go smoothly.

In the first image I added couple strips of two sided foam tape for added security.
In the second image the bottom mirror is intact, top image had 3 busted things.
I JB welded the stainless arm in place, then the spring retainer only to realize
the tiny triangle retainer was also broken, with no easy repair due to size...

 

[raymond-]

sorry you had to go through that turmoil for your mirror replacement, especially
having purchased the blemished mirror which made installation such a headache

 

[SteveHawaii]

Just another of lifes pains, not actually that bad.
About impossible to prevent when looking for a replacement, as the broken bits are so small and
fortunately not to expensive. Considering that I have never had to take the car in for any service except alignment, not too bad. Owning the E430 would be costly otherwise. Special thanks to this group of DIY'ers like you, Deplore and Khomer and lots of others.

 

[raymond-]

I live about 1.5 mile away from MB of Seattle. The last time I was in for any work was around 2010.
The car is up on stands right now as I attempt to wrestle in shocks and springs. I just take my time,
turn music on and make it a relaxing event.

Nearly all my parts are used from forum members or Ebay or online purchases. I
actually have a spare set of outside mirror assemblies from another member for
about $80 years back. I figured it would be just a matter of time, given the poor
drivers, road rage, CHAZ BLM anarchist rioting neighbors I have here so it would
be good to have spares.

 

[SteveHawaii]

A great testimony to DIY for sure. Although I have some limitations, did somehow manage to do the motor mounts and transmission mount recently which was a challenge due to the top bolts.
Thanks again to this group for hand holding and the right tool, but springs are a totally different level of complexity and danger. That is impressive!

 

[SteveHawaii]

Finally managed to install mirror, that connecting spring piece at top back of mirror is tricky. As Deplore advised it is very important to carefullly study the other side. I thought I had done this, and it may have been the reason why I failed on the first replacement mirror. Took a few pics of the finished product, and noticed that the replacement has a thick rubber surround and the passenger side does not, even though it is supposedly for the same model and year. I can live with this...