fastcompany

I need to replace the glass on driver side view mirror. Anyone know how to remove the glass from the housing?

sailorben

If you tilt the mirror all the way down and maybe in, or out, looking in at the gap at the top you will see there is a little metal loop. This is part of a locking mech to hold it in. If you put a screwdriver through that and lift up, it should pop over backwards behind a catch.

The mirror is then just held on by some small plastic tabs, and some black silicone to prevent the mirror vibrating. Be careful with the little wire that supplies the glass with electricity too.

Be sure to put a bit of silicone sealant on the new mirror before you fit it.

eteller

As Ben said unhook the tab on the top. Be aware that if the factory mirror panel is thick and has 4 wires it is auto-dimming and around $400 to replace. I replaced mine a few months ago after the dimming part discolored with just a heated panel I got off Amazon for $34, no auto-dimming. Works well and looks OEM but I did have to extend the heater wires to the other side of the mirror by making two 4" extensions, no big deal.

fastcompany

Thanks much for the good information. My mirror discolored also, so it's probably the auto dimming type, as the dealer price for the glass is $300. I already ordered a $20 replacement glass on amazon, but now I'm thinking of trying to get the OEM one at hopefully a better price, as I like the auto dimming feature.

eteller

Whatever you do, do change it, the alien blood inside will eventually leak and discolor paint or worse (not joking, ask a BMW owner). As for the dimming feature I did not miss it. I did find the used dimming panels on ebay for $100 all day long but then how long before they go bad. I think parts.com had new ones for $275ish. There is a company that rebuilds the mirrors, mainly BMW rear view ones, not sure if they will tackle the Merc outside panels or not. http://www.radar-mirror.com/Mirror_Repair.html

fastcompany

That's good to know, as I planned on placing the glass that I ordered over the old one, unless I can find a dimming mirror at a decent price. But in any case, I will remove the original. Thanks for the heads up.

eteller

The $34 one has the backing plate and heater element you need. There supposedly is a thread somewhere where you can remove the outer glass and alien blood from the bad mirror and have a usable mirror. For kicks I tried dissembling mine before I tossed it. The first difficulty is the plastic surround, that got torn up removing the outer glass. After cleanup I was left with a panel that looked like HVAC tape on a piece of plastic, not really usable but i guess you could drop a replacement pane on it. Long story short, drop $34 and avoid any corrosive burns

fastcompany

Got it. You answered my question before I asked! No sense trying to take it apart. Hopefully I can find the entire assembly.

eteller

This is what I got, but your's is pre-facelift so please do some research and measure:

https://smile.amazon.com/HEATED-Mirr...0+mirror+glass

Just note you will need to extend the heater wires to reach the terminals on other side of the bracket. I just soldered on 4" of wire, heat shrinked the solder joints and then soldered the wires to the terminals on the new mirror directly, that's what the bad reviews are about, it fits fine and is worlds better than the cloudy old one, heater function works well.

fastcompany

I decided to get a new one from the dealer and he gave me a discount, it cost me $329.00. Since the car only has 16,000 miles on it and like new I figured it made sense. I am the second owner. But I have a major problem. I can't get the metal pin to lock in place. There is no room to maneuver a screwdriver above the glass to lock it in. Is there another way to do it?

eteller

You gotta tilt the mirror all the way down, then hook it. There are a few YouTube videos I found helpful before I replace mine.

fastcompany

I finally got it, a little tricky getting the pin to snap in place. Thanks again.