2003 G500 Interior Rear View Mirror Removal
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2003 G500 (W463)
2003 G500 Interior Rear View Mirror Removal
I recently purchased an excellent condition 2003 G500 (W463). While removing a sunscreen from the windshield, my hand hit the rear view mirror and dislodged it. Now the mirror is unusable as it just flops down facing the floor. I've looked carefully at the attachment and there appears to be a collar that slips over a ball socket to tighten the ball and allow adjustment. That collar is rattling around now but appears to be whole (no cracks or breaks). How do I remove the interior rear view mirror to get some leverage to reinstall that collar? Any videos or pictures available? I've searched online and several MB forums but none have any W463 specific information.
Appreciate any help!
Appreciate any help!
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 764
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From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
Do you have pics of your setup? Wondering if it;s the same as my 08 G55. I had to take the whole thing off for my headliner removal.
Upload some images and I can probably get you sorted.
Upload some images and I can probably get you sorted.
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2003 G500 (W463)
Overhead Controls & Mirror Attachment Point
Sideview of Interior Mirror
Front View of Interior Mirror
Bottom View of Interior Mirror
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 764
Likes: 313
From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
Ouch,
Looking at the pics and your original post, it looks like the ball socket is loose.
I found this thread on a fix, as it looks like that ball is held in there at tension.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/he...irror.2838993/
That iron mount is the sturdiest thing I've ever seen as far as a mirror mount, wondering if you had a second pair of hands if you could use a soft rubber mallet to persuade that ball joint or a swift palm hit.
The alternate would be doing what the other poster did and putting a zip tie collar on it to give bring back the tension.
May also be worth posting over at clubwagen.com as there are some hardcore restorers over there that may have had this issue.
Looking at the pics and your original post, it looks like the ball socket is loose.
I found this thread on a fix, as it looks like that ball is held in there at tension.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/he...irror.2838993/
That iron mount is the sturdiest thing I've ever seen as far as a mirror mount, wondering if you had a second pair of hands if you could use a soft rubber mallet to persuade that ball joint or a swift palm hit.
The alternate would be doing what the other poster did and putting a zip tie collar on it to give bring back the tension.
May also be worth posting over at clubwagen.com as there are some hardcore restorers over there that may have had this issue.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 12
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2003 G500 (W463)
Thanks for the link to benzworld. I had seen that sequence of photos before but they are not from an early 463. My mirror mount is different and there is no mention of how to get the mirror down off the roof mount. 
After messing about with the mirror last night, I got the ball joint to let loose of the ball and the mirror fell down into my hands. It was still attached to the sensor with the cable but now I could look directly into the ball socket. As you mentioned, the locking collar had come loose. I was able to pry the collar open a small amount and re-seat it on the ball socket "fingers". (BTW, the locking collar is metal and has a gap to allow expansion.)
Once the collar was back in place, all I had to do was reinstall the mirror on the mounting ball without breaking it–not an easy task! I ended up simply aligning the ball mount and socket then giving it two firm taps with my hand on the bottom of the mirror. It popped back into the mount and appears stiff enough to hold it in place. I will test this today by driving on some rougher roads around here (not hard to find!).
Thanks for your hints and tips. Appreciate your pointing me in the right direction!
After messing about with the mirror last night, I got the ball joint to let loose of the ball and the mirror fell down into my hands. It was still attached to the sensor with the cable but now I could look directly into the ball socket. As you mentioned, the locking collar had come loose. I was able to pry the collar open a small amount and re-seat it on the ball socket "fingers". (BTW, the locking collar is metal and has a gap to allow expansion.)
Once the collar was back in place, all I had to do was reinstall the mirror on the mounting ball without breaking it–not an easy task! I ended up simply aligning the ball mount and socket then giving it two firm taps with my hand on the bottom of the mirror. It popped back into the mount and appears stiff enough to hold it in place. I will test this today by driving on some rougher roads around here (not hard to find!).
Thanks for your hints and tips. Appreciate your pointing me in the right direction!
