How To Remove Inside Mirror From The Mounting Arm Without Cracking The Socket?

[Squiggle Dog]

I have a nearly mint condition inside rear view mirror from a W123 that I wanted to install in my W116 but I found that though the mirror frames are identical, the mounting arm on the W123 mirror is too short to be able to adjust the mirror correctly.

I want to swap the W116 mounting arm onto the W123 mirror frame, but how do I do it without cracking the plastic ball socket? I have tried this in the past and they always crack when trying to remove the mounting arm from the mirror frame. Is there a trick to this?

[TJ 450]

That's a very good question...

I think it's just a matter of luck. I haven't worked out an alternative.

When I removed the one from the 6.9, it started to bend the die cast mount, but finally let go without further damage. Sometimes they just break in half, or the screws shear off. It's not pleasant at all.

Tim

[fig]

Maybe try heating the socket area with a hair dryer before pulling the arm out.

[bronzy935]

The plastic fingers of the socket that curve around the ball are strengthened by a circular metal spring. This spring is cut (a bit like a piston ring) and can be pressed down to make removal of the mirror easier.

When you fit it on to the 116 arm you can squeeze the ring back up to tighten the plastic fingers again. Good luck