I'm stuck
 

There is a little spring inside the side-view mirror that pulls the housing back into place if you bend it backward, I suppose to give the mirror unit some play if you accidentally bump into a pole or some such.
Trouble is, the metal spring connects to the base of the unit by a small connection that has broken on my passenger side. So the housing will sit properly but only if it isnt touched. (stable, but loose)

Unfortunately, my state inspection now includes wiggling all mirrors and light assemblies to make sure they are secure, and I failed because of this.

My parts guy can sometimes find a used (and very rare) replacement housing for over $400, new is $800.

Has anyone encountered this sort of problem? I certainly don't want to spend that kind of money on this.

1 - pull off mirror cover. zip tie into place. you can opt to cut it slightly so
that it'll be a designed fracture point should hard impact occur to the mirror.
reinstall mirror cover. 1¢

2 - remove mirror housing/frame from door. have friend weld, or JBWeld....
then redrill mirror spring anchor hole. $10 for JBWeld, time, beer, or dinner

3 - replace mirror frame/assembly. $4-500

ps...i hear of this breakage occasionally. a weak design.

Raymond to the rescue!

Stupid question...how do I pull off the cover?

By the way, look at this:

http://www2.partstrain.com/store/?N=...271+11921+9162

Big price swing between brands.

Try
 

http://w210.pietrzyk.net/disassembly_88hoodfend.htm
:bow:ohlord

The video doesn't play for me. Does it work for you?

Yes
 

in firefox,what browser are you using?Sometimes it takes a few seconds and no need to hit play.
ohlord:bow:
raymond also posted this one to you tube google w210 mirror you tube see if it is out there:y

I encountered same problem and was able to install 1/4 20 X 3/8 pan head machine screw and nut in the location of the orginal spring purchase on the frame. so far so good.

On the left you see a vertical wire clip this holds the cover on,
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...8&d=1196466868
Slide cover off
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...9&d=1196466868
You can see the spring broken loose and the slot to the right that I used to bolt it back together.
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...0&d=1196466868

i'm getting the video to play...both IE and Netscape. hmm...okay, try this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn0bgoME_mQ

I tried the zip ties, but it's really difficult to find a solid spot to wrap them around. With two ties on, the back and forth movement was somewhat solid, but the up and down travel was still floppy. I don't know what standard is used by the inspection monkeys.
So I picked up some JB Weld. It is cold here, so the first attempt took over 18 hours to dry, and then snapped right off anyway (the contact points are just too small. Now I'm waiting on a second (larger) application to dry.

Epilogue:

I spent a whole week building up the JBweld connection point layer by layer. Luckily we had a freak warm day up to 70 degrees (in Feb!) that allowed the mess to cure more properly. Turns out both ends of the spring perches had failed. So now with the weld, the housing does not move at all, although I didn't really load test it before re-inspection.
When all was said and done, the re-inspector glanced over from the other side of the car, and he passed me. :X

What I noticed is that the tension of that spring is very, very heavy. I'm surprised more people don't have this problem.

Glad it made it through the inspection. Next time mine breaks I may try a bungee cord, that spring is too much!

WTF........:crazy:...where do you get your car inspected ?

At the DMV at Quakerbridge. As I was sitting next in line waiting the first time, I watched the guy walk around the car in front of me banging on all the tail lights with his fist. My first thought was "Hey, you're going to break something dummy"

I would have gotten his supervisor and asked to see the inspection criteria for "loose mirrors and tail lights".What did the failed inspection report say?

Once you get the red sticker of shame, they won't listen. The printed report stated "Passenger mirror not secure".
Nicely ambiguous, isn't it?

Wasn't it once even normal for cars not to even have a passenger side mirror?

Yes , you are correct.

Years ago pass side mirrors were an option or aftermarket on many cars. My Corvette does not and never did have one. It goes thru PA inspection like clockwork every year. Emmissions of course are not required.