wherman

Today I got my 05 side mirror blinkers from Steve and went to install them.

Well much to my dismay, when I took off the mirror covers 3 out of 4 screws were already stripped. You can tell that someone or something (Assembly robot??) over torqued the scew because the plastic around it is all cracked.

Should I bring it into the dealer and ask them to take care of it under warranty, and does it even fall under that?

Or is there some way to remove the screws myself?

Thanks,
Bill

nicedeboy

In the past when I stripped screws, I used my needle nose Pliers. A needle nose pliers is, a hand tool with two hinged arms ending in jaws that are closed by hand pressure to grip something. I gripped one end in the center of the screw and the other, on the outside. At the same time, I'm turning it. Lefty loosey, righty tighty (saying I learned as a child).

Hope that helps.

Sincerely,
James Sell

wherman

Thanks for the advice, however at least one screw was imbeded in the plastic around it.

Bill

HITMAN

they make screw bits that remove the the striped screws.

electromethod

go to sears. I have these reverse bits that take out stripped screws. Here is the link........i have used them a lot. in fact, so much that I leave them in the tool box in my truck so I don't lose them.

sears

wherman

I looked at that link and the bits seem fairly large. This scew is about a 1/8 in across, will it work?

Thanks,
Bill

HITMAN

yeah i would think

wherman

Cool, thanks for the help.

CitronC230K_03

post pics once you get em installed. i like the new mirror indicators more then the 01-04 style.

wingless

Try a flat blade device, inserted underneath the screw head, to lift the screw, while rotating CCW.

For replacement, any standard filling two-part epoxy may be used to reinforce the cracked plastic. It would be possible to create an epoxy fillet around the outside of the plastic boss. It is also possible to fill the screw hole with epoxy, then drive the screw into the hole, prior to it setting up, all to strengthen the cracked areas.

wherman

Well, next problem now. I just called the dealer and asked about replacement screws (If I take them out, need to put something back in). They don't show the side view mirrors as having any screws. So I'm heading over there to have them try and match them to what they have in stock.

-Bill

CitronC230K_03

yeah from what i remember when i put in my W211 indicators and there are 2, maybe more its been awhile.

wherman

Well, after driving around a bit today, no one sells the screws. Also, no one thinks I'll be able to get that small of a screw out. So now it looks like my $60 retrofit just became a $$$$ project. Anyone know what the mirror housings go for? The dealer thinks that is the only way to get the screws.

-Bill

CitronC230K_03

well if you are changing over to W211 blinkers buy W211 housings so you can utilize the puddle light eventually.

wherman

I've got the 05 lights.

CitronC230K_03

oh nevermind!

kokketiel

Have you tried to have them replaced under warranty? If your car is still under warranty I would definitely try that first. You don't want your mirror (if you kept it) to fall apart at 50,001 miles. Speak to your SA and see what he says...

When I was looking to replace the grill on our ML430 with the ML500 chrome stripped one, before I took off the old grill, I noticed that a couple of the plastic tabs, where you fasten the grill to tbe hood, were broken. Probably from vibration and the heat of the radiator. I took the car to the dealer before I did my mod, and they replaced the grill under warranty, no questions asked.

wherman

I could see them replacing the cracked plastic on your ML, however I doubt that they will warranty stripped screws. I think they'll just say that I did it.

Thanks,
Bill

nicedeboy

sounds like you are having fun. I would just say heck with it and leave the car the way it is now. lol You should see the kelly blue book value. I almost had a heart attack when I saw it. I thought benz's had alittle more trade in value.