replacing side mirror glass
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Chattanooga
1992 Mercedes 300E
replacing side mirror glass
My wife smacked a garbage can on the side of the road and busted the glass. Fortunately the housing is fine. I've already bought the glass, but I don't want to break it during installation. Any tips? It looks like it just wants to be pressed in, but I'm not sure. I've pressed hard already and I don't really want to press harder. Any help?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 977
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
I believe so. It's a simple mount. It just takes enough slow pressure to remove and then to replace. I checked both my manuals and they simply state to use a plastic pry wedge and to be very carefull.
As I recall the used replacement mirror had the female mount still attached to the mirror but once I observed how if fit, I was able to figure it out and remove the uneeded part. The "tricky" part is to evenly press the mirror glass onto the housing. They probably did this in seconds at the factory after doing a few dozen every day. Just go for it. The worse case is you have to buy another mirror but then you'll need to try it again. It's actually pretty strong glass.
As I recall the used replacement mirror had the female mount still attached to the mirror but once I observed how if fit, I was able to figure it out and remove the uneeded part. The "tricky" part is to evenly press the mirror glass onto the housing. They probably did this in seconds at the factory after doing a few dozen every day. Just go for it. The worse case is you have to buy another mirror but then you'll need to try it again. It's actually pretty strong glass.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Chattanooga
1992 Mercedes 300E
Thanks for the help. I did get it in, although the electric adjustment doesn't work like it should. It seems to be out of alignment. Now I don't want to take it off for fear of breaking the mirror.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 977
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
Rob,
The right side mirror does have more mounting tabs then the left. Adjust it to it's extreme to see if one of them is not engaged. I lived with a loose mirror for some time before snapping the loose end back in. The mirror has motorized screws that extend and retract.
The right side mirror does have more mounting tabs then the left. Adjust it to it's extreme to see if one of them is not engaged. I lived with a loose mirror for some time before snapping the loose end back in. The mirror has motorized screws that extend and retract.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga
1992 Mercedes 300E
I did notice the motorized adjustment tabs. Are you saying that those also snap in place? Now that I think about it, it makes sense. They would have to pull the mirror back. I just made sure the mirror snapped into place in the middle. How do you get the adjustment tabs to snap when they recess in so much under pressure?
