Removing trim from side mirror housing?
09-05-2007, 07:01 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BMW 525i
Removing trim from side mirror housing?
Hi,
The patient in question is a '93 500SEL. The RH side view mirror was involved in a little altercation with a construction barrel on the highway. It sheared off a portion of the gear that controls the mirror's folding ability and the force broke the mirror. Ironically the rest of the mirror survived quite well. I have a perfectly functional donor mirror with the wrong color trim/housing that I have to install on the car. I am looking at both but cannot get the trim off to install on the new mirror. Searching around indicates that it should be quite easy. I have tried prying, but am timid as it looks like a lot of plastic in there and I assume there has to be an easy release. The portion in question is number 56 of the following link:
http://uucurl.com/x.php?p=2455
From looking at the picture and reading various links or replacement I assume that the trim simply separates from around the mirror and installation is reverse of removal? I saw a couple mentions to removing a spring to help with the trim but that didn't seem to help. Do I just need to pull a little harder? Slide something in to release the catches? Anyone have any insight to share? I appreciate any help or tips.
Regards,
Rory
The patient in question is a '93 500SEL. The RH side view mirror was involved in a little altercation with a construction barrel on the highway. It sheared off a portion of the gear that controls the mirror's folding ability and the force broke the mirror. Ironically the rest of the mirror survived quite well. I have a perfectly functional donor mirror with the wrong color trim/housing that I have to install on the car. I am looking at both but cannot get the trim off to install on the new mirror. Searching around indicates that it should be quite easy. I have tried prying, but am timid as it looks like a lot of plastic in there and I assume there has to be an easy release. The portion in question is number 56 of the following link:
http://uucurl.com/x.php?p=2455
From looking at the picture and reading various links or replacement I assume that the trim simply separates from around the mirror and installation is reverse of removal? I saw a couple mentions to removing a spring to help with the trim but that didn't seem to help. Do I just need to pull a little harder? Slide something in to release the catches? Anyone have any insight to share? I appreciate any help or tips.
Regards,
Rory
09-08-2007, 05:56 PM
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NorCal
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1998 S500
Rory,
The "spring" is actually a wire rod (about 1mm diameter) that runs vertically when the mirror is installed on the car. You have to pry underneath the spring to clear the plastic latching tabs and then the cover will slip right off. It is a fairly stiff spring and takes some effort to get it over the latching tabs. Installation is the reverse and if I remember correctly it slides on and snaps with a final, firm push. Wish I had some pictures for you but I don't. Good Luck!
You're lucky that you had a donor mirror as a replacement is about $450 US!
Duncan
The "spring" is actually a wire rod (about 1mm diameter) that runs vertically when the mirror is installed on the car. You have to pry underneath the spring to clear the plastic latching tabs and then the cover will slip right off. It is a fairly stiff spring and takes some effort to get it over the latching tabs. Installation is the reverse and if I remember correctly it slides on and snaps with a final, firm push. Wish I had some pictures for you but I don't. Good Luck!
You're lucky that you had a donor mirror as a replacement is about $450 US!
Duncan
08-11-2024, 02:12 PM
#3
Member
Hello does anyone have any photos on how to remove the sideview mirror housing cover off a 1999 W140? All the photos on prior posts have been removed.
