SL/R231: Wind deflector removal?
#26
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2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Getting the deflector out is not that hard. I always protect the paintwork in the area around where I'm working. I have the WIS section on it, but am traveling so don't have access to my shop laptop at the moment. It's pretty staring forward though.
Is your screen ripped anywhere? (corners too)? Do you not see the rivet?
You can get the wind deflector to stop in the halfway position and makes it easier to access the screen and brackets for inspection. You have to toggle the switch back and fourth quickly. Do it a few times, you'll figure it out. Be sure to lower the assembly completely before removal though.
Chances are the plastic bracket (see picture below) is broken though, especially if the screen is separating from the frame in either of the bottom corners.
Good Luck!
Last edited by crconsulting; 12-17-2022 at 03:48 PM.
#27
Junior Member
Wind stop
Thats right, once you get the side panels off, you have to off the center panel,
Getting the deflector out is not that hard. I always protect the paintwork in the area around where I'm working. I have the WIS section on it, but am traveling so don't have access to my shop laptop at the moment. It's pretty staring forward though.
That's the rivet that holds the screen material in place once its extended.
Is your screen ripped anywhere? (corners too)? Do you not see the rivet?
You can get the wind deflector to stop in the halfway position and makes it easier to access the screen and brackets for inspection. You have to toggle the switch back and fourth quickly. Do it a few times, you'll figure it out. Be sure to lower the assembly completely before removal though.
Chances are the plastic bracket (see picture below) is broken though, especially if the screen is separating from the frame in either of the bottom corners.
Good Luck!
Getting the deflector out is not that hard. I always protect the paintwork in the area around where I'm working. I have the WIS section on it, but am traveling so don't have access to my shop laptop at the moment. It's pretty staring forward though.
That's the rivet that holds the screen material in place once its extended.
Is your screen ripped anywhere? (corners too)? Do you not see the rivet?
You can get the wind deflector to stop in the halfway position and makes it easier to access the screen and brackets for inspection. You have to toggle the switch back and fourth quickly. Do it a few times, you'll figure it out. Be sure to lower the assembly completely before removal though.
Chances are the plastic bracket (see picture below) is broken though, especially if the screen is separating from the frame in either of the bottom corners.
Good Luck!
i am new at these forum so please forgive me.
I currently have the car in winter storage so I figured it was a good time to do this job.
I don’t remember a tear , however if the rivet dislodged from screen should I assumed it’s ripped.
#29
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2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
get pics if you can. I actually have a screen that’s perfect but the corner brackets are another matter…. You need to confirm they are intact. I doubt they are.
You might be lucky and may just need the screen if the rivets fell off
#30
Junior Member
Photos of wind stop R231
I am going to storage unit tomorrow, I will send you photos by early afternoon.
didn’t want to tackle the job of removing unit unless I had a plan for repair
didn’t want to tackle the job of removing unit unless I had a plan for repair
#31
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[QUOTE=FDNY;8688418 didn’t want to tackle the job of removing unit unless I had a plan for repair[/QUOTE]
Definitely need a plan...
Haha but you know what Mike Tyson said about a plan.
See if you can get it in that halfway position to inspect.
Good Luck
Definitely need a plan...
Haha but you know what Mike Tyson said about a plan.
See if you can get it in that halfway position to inspect.
Good Luck
Last edited by crconsulting; 12-19-2022 at 11:58 AM.
#32
Junior Member
Screen photos
No rips , like I mentioned, the rivet is not to be found . It fell down to bottom of unit. I didn’t want to start to remove the unit unless I had replacement or a repair in mind
#33
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It's hard too tell from those pictures because the screen isn't extended so you can see the whole mesh clearly but.
Material looks ripped & missing (unless that's just lighting) right where the rivet normally sits. (see pic below)
Looks like the mesh was damaged by the rivet just pulling the fabric apart.
When the wind deflector is retracted (down) can you lift/move the corner arms?(see pic below)
Try to push them down on the very outside. You don’t have to push very hard but they are cantilevered….
Material looks ripped & missing (unless that's just lighting) right where the rivet normally sits. (see pic below)
Looks like the mesh was damaged by the rivet just pulling the fabric apart.
When the wind deflector is retracted (down) can you lift/move the corner arms?(see pic below)
Try to push them down on the very outside. You don’t have to push very hard but they are cantilevered….
Last edited by crconsulting; 12-21-2022 at 02:54 PM.
#34
Junior Member
Wind stop
I examined it closely, didn’t see any tear. Which is why I was confused when the rivet fell. I assumed there were front and back and it separated. However I am not around the car at this time. Hard to find affordable storage by me. It’s literally 30 min drive. I am going away for holidays . If it okay with you , I touch base with after the new year. I will have time to sit a remove the unit.
you mentioned you have replacement screen. Have are the rivets attached
I wish I never noticed it, I let little things bug me. Lol
you mentioned you have replacement screen. Have are the rivets attached
I wish I never noticed it, I let little things bug me. Lol
#35
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Haha my friend from NYC never owned a car, nor had a drivers license until he moved to CA.
Yes the screen I have is intact, but the corner brackets are both broken/missing.
You should make sure your corner brackets are not broken first. In my experience those break first, then the issues with the mesh/material begin.
Last edited by crconsulting; 12-21-2022 at 04:45 PM.
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FDNY (12-21-2022)
#37
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They (the rivets) ARE NOT available from Mercedes. That wind deflector is sold as an "assembly" only.
Removing this part is time consuming. I would either:
a) Get the part new from the dealer. (the whole screen assembly)
b) You are handy, and all you need is the screen, (the corner brackets are intact)
You could potentially save a few bucks by just getting another screen from a parts car. (I would think that repair is about $2k or so at the dealer)
I personally would rather swap known good parts than attempt a "patch" that might result in a failed repair and ending up at square one.
I wouldn't remove anything until you can make sure you know exactly what you need, then have parts in hand, so you can get the job done in one session.
Good Luck
#38
Junior Member
Wind stop
Just so I am clear,
the rivets you show can not be purchased.
I assume the two halves snap together or epoxy of some sort. Te brackets you speak of. I won’t know if they are broken unless I remove the entire unit. Correct?
I going to try and locate an entire unit, use preferably, and make the swap.
though I am extremely handy it appears at least 2 hours to remove the unit . It would be foolish to pull it just examine it . If you locate a entire unit please don’t hesitate to reach out
thank you for the correspondence and dated knowledge
the rivets you show can not be purchased.
I assume the two halves snap together or epoxy of some sort. Te brackets you speak of. I won’t know if they are broken unless I remove the entire unit. Correct?
I going to try and locate an entire unit, use preferably, and make the swap.
though I am extremely handy it appears at least 2 hours to remove the unit . It would be foolish to pull it just examine it . If you locate a entire unit please don’t hesitate to reach out
thank you for the correspondence and dated knowledge
#39
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Those are generic snap buttons, you can get them on Amazon. Those are 10mm but there are other sizes. They LOOK similar and you'll want the right size, but no guarantees. (in case you want to go that route)
Read above on how to test them.... (post 33)
You don't have to remove the wind deflector from car. You can do it while it's in the car.
You don't have to remove the wind deflector from car. You can do it while it's in the car.
Last edited by crconsulting; 12-21-2022 at 06:16 PM.
#40
Junior Member
Wind stop
I am more excited now , I don’t think these brackets are damaged and if I can match the snap rivets ,
maybe if I am lucky I can get it reattached without removing unit,
how did you say you get it to stay in half open position to work on it
maybe if I am lucky I can get it reattached without removing unit,
how did you say you get it to stay in half open position to work on it
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FDNY (12-23-2022)
#42
Junior Member
Wind stop
[QUOTE=crconsulting;8690113]Those are generic snap buttons, you can get them on Amazon. Those are 10mm but there are other sizes. They LOOK similar and you'll want the right size, but no guarantees. (in case you want to go that route)
#43
Junior Member
Wind stop
I know it’s been a while since I updated,
been away in warmer weather,
picked up the snaps on Amazon 10mm
going to try and repaid next week .
thanks for all the help so far.
been away in warmer weather,
picked up the snaps on Amazon 10mm
going to try and repaid next week .
thanks for all the help so far.
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crconsulting (01-18-2023)
#45
Junior Member
Wind stop repair
I was able to replace the 10 mm snap after pressing the up/down button for windscreen and is stalls half down. I then pulled the spring loaded side arms back. Reattached the snap and used glue to keep in place. It was easy to fish the screen through the arm attach the snap and thankfully it held.
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crconsulting (06-17-2023)
#46
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Every repair on these is different. I just did another one for a friend. His “corner bracket” was broken also. If it’s just the snap falling out, that is the easiest of the repairs.
Do you have pictures of YOUR screen and corners?
Do you have pictures of YOUR screen and corners?
Last edited by crconsulting; 06-17-2023 at 11:25 AM.
#48
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As long as the fabric is not ripped, and the little 10mm “snap button” just fell off, you should be Ok. I haven’t been that lucky with the ones I’ve dealt with. ☹️
Good Luck
Last edited by crconsulting; 06-17-2023 at 09:10 PM.
#49
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I've been following this thread and wondering... are there any preventive measures we can take to prevent or reduce the chances of damaging the deflector, e.g., don't exceed 300 mph with the deflector in the up position?
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crconsulting (06-18-2023)
#50
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I think there are two types of failures happening on these:
One is the rivets popping out/fabric ripping in corners, which I believe may be due to speed with the wind deflector in the up position. That's the easier one to fix as long as the material isn't ripped, which would require a replacement screen.
The other is the little plastic spring loaded brackets in the end pieces failing due to stress of lowering and raising the deflector mechanism. So far, I've repaired three of these failures....
The bracket always breaks on the thinner, non-reinforced side, in the identical spot with an almost identical style of the fracture. That is a design/materials issue for sure.
I use double sided 3M VHB tape to mount these down when I do the repair. But not sure that will help long term, as there's really very little material for the 3M VHB to "bite" on that thin side of the bracket. Ultimately, I think they should be made out of aluminum or a different polymer/plastic compound.
I rarely use my screen
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hornethandler (06-18-2023)