W203 wing mirror only folds inwards half-way

W203 wing mirror only folds inwards half-way

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tele_lover

Original Poster:

597 posts

22 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2023
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Didn't use the car for a while until now, went to fold the entire mirror inwards. Driver side was fine but the passenger side only folds inwards halfway

(I mean the entire fixture, not the glass).

I found this video where he bends the fixture inwards using his hand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc2W42I3CMk&t=...

Given mine does move, albeit halfway, does it suggest the cause is resistance/wear & tear and bending it like the video would expose the motor and I could use WD40?

And is it okay to bend it like that?

I won't be doing full DIY like some of you, but if it's just a case of bending it and spraying WD40, I think I could manage that.

Greenmantle

1,467 posts

115 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2023
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trapped cable
broken teeth on cog mechanism

Sheepshanks

35,027 posts

126 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2023
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What year W203 is it? I had a facelift one, 2005 model, and I don't recall the hinged area of the mirror., when exposed, looking like that.

Mine would stick but just needed a bit of help as they were moving. I used to lube them with silicon spray.

It was generally recommended not to fold them if you didn't have to as the wires broke with time/use. Supposedly MB took off auto-folding due to this, and complaints about them squeaking.

tele_lover

Original Poster:

597 posts

22 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2023
quotequote all
Sheepshanks said:
What year W203 is it? I had a facelift one, 2005 model, and I don't recall the hinged area of the mirror., when exposed, looking like that.

Mine would stick but just needed a bit of help as they were moving. I used to lube them with silicon spray.

It was generally recommended not to fold them if you didn't have to as the wires broke with time/use. Supposedly MB took off auto-folding due to this, and complaints about them squeaking.
Ah, that video may not be of use then.

I have same as you, 2005.

Could you elaborate on lubing them? Is it just a case of gently bending it inwards and the hinge mechanism does get exposed?

Sheepshanks

35,027 posts

126 months

Thursday 3rd August 2023
quotequote all
I don't have the car anymore, but it was just a matter of using a silicone spray everywhere possible, then wiping any ober-run off the door. I never forced the mirrors but sometimes they'd stick when operated and need a bit of gentle assistance.

tele_lover

Original Poster:

597 posts

22 months

Tuesday 29th August 2023
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Good news, the wing mirror seems to be going back a little further after a few uses.

Presume I just need a lubricant/can anyone recommend one?

And I just squirt it inside the prominent slit with the circle? (see below)