96 S420 - Loose rear view mirror
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Seattle
96' S420
96 S420 - Loose rear view mirror
96 S420 My rear view mirror is loose and I want to get information on tightning it from anyone who can tell me how to tighten it up. $1000 to replace it I want to do it correctly.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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1997 S600 Sedan
If it's loose like mine was, you have broken plastic clips inside the mirror housing.
My mirror was floppy in the up and down direction, but solid left to right. The clips are poorly designed. They are molded as part of the mirror housing, and they have to hold against a fairly strong spring that holds the mirror snug inside the housing. I didn't think any glue could hold them since they're so small. My fix was to use a dremel tool to grind away the rest of the broken clip inside the housing and make room to glue in a small piece of wood that I could put a screw into. I then drilled a hole in the metal spring part and used small screws to fix the springs into place.
You'll see what I mean when you take the mirror apart. It's easy to do. It splits apart at the seam (like a TV remote control), held together by several plastic clips. The back piece comes off, and then you just pull the front piece containing the mirror off of a metal ball mount. You have to pull really hard to get it off. I thought there had to be an easier way, but I don't think there is. You have to unplug connectors to the garage door opener and auto dimming function.
Brett
You'll see what I mean when you take the mirror apart. It's easy to do. It splits apart at the seam (like a TV remote control), held together by several plastic clips. The back piece comes off, and then you just pull the front piece containing the mirror off of a metal ball mount. You have to pull really hard to get it off. I thought there had to be an easier way, but I don't think there is. You have to unplug connectors to the garage door opener and auto dimming function.
Brett
What should I beware of?
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Mesa, AZ
2011 E350 Bluetec, 1996 S320 & 2006 E320 CDI Sold to my son & 2017 GMC 2500 Diesel Pick up
Same thing
It is a bad ( cheep design ). As mentioned the clips will most likly fall out, but they are broken, thats why the mirror is loose. I have helped mine with a 1/2" x 1" piece of bubber wedged between the top of the mirror and the roof. Works well and you can't hardly see it. But its set for me not the wife. I like this other idea of the wood inside. FYI, I have seen a few mirrors on ebay for around $400. Good luck.
