W210 Folding wing mirrors

[Merc808]

Hi Team,
I have just changed my 1995 C220D Elegance for a 1999 E220 cdi facelift.
It has folding mirrors. The near side one is very slow and stops. Is there a quick repair service any of you know about ? Or is it a case of a can of WD 40 ?

Regards Merc808

 

[SimonsMerc]

Hi,

Mine does this too. It bugged me for a bit, and then I just never folded them again

If someone *does* have a solution tho...

-simon

 

[prprandall51]

I don't know the mechanism but mine appears to be a plastic rack-and-pinion (211). Therefore, whilst WD40 may produce satisfactory short term results it may be even more detrimental to the operation of the mirror. WD40 is *not* an oil lubricant, it may wash away any remaining lubricant that is already there and it evaporates pretty quickly, anyway. However, it is pretty inert and unlikely to harm the plastics (don't use Vaseline - ever!! it is death to ABS plastic). It is mostly good for flushing out gunge (grit, etc) in the mechanism.

I would suggest it is better to use a plastics grease (available from RS and Maplin).

If you just want to see if lubrication will fix the problem, use silicone-based spray (from Halfords). This is completely safe on plastics, but like WD40 may wash away existing grease (but also any grit that may be in there) and will evaporate off pretty quickly.

I hope that made some sense.

Philip

 

[Benzowner]

Mine used to do that, the nearside was very slow, it is now ok, but I didn't do anything to it it just sorted itself out over time. My fault may have been something stuck in there, I don't know. Not very helpful, but yours may correct itself as well, good luck

 

[mapleleaf]

anyone tried asking MB service dept to have a look?

 

[clegsr]

sorry to disappoint you but my 2001 Eclass had the same problem some years ago and when I mentioned it to the Stealer along the lines of "maybe it needs some WD40..." they didn't even bother to look at it but replaced it immediately under warranty - so obviously a known problem methinks - but of course I still had the warranty in place...

 

[panason1c]

Mine were very slow initially and my nearside mirror used to stop at a halfway position (pressing the 'fold' button again brought the mirror fully in) but continual use seemed to 'loosen' them and they now work properly (i ALWAYS fold them when i park).....i suspect that the previous owner didnt use the feature and the mirrors mechanism gets 'gunked up'.

 

[ChrisEdu]

Me too!

I had trouble with a slow folding wing mirror. I took it to garage and they said it might be the motor, but we'll try some lube first to see if that sorts out the problem. Sure enought it did the trick (at least long enought to take it out of warranty!), alhtough they did end end with lubricant all down the door which proved a real nightmare to remove!