HOW-TO: Replacing door mirror boot rubber

[gerryvz]

COMING SOON: a how-to on replacing your cracked exterior black rubber door mirror boots. These are the pieces that fit between the mirror body and the car door. After 10+ years, they tend to suffer cracking and lose flexibility due to exposure to the elements.

These items are easily available and are applicable to all 124s -- E500E and non-E500E.

The part numbers [for left-hand-drive cars] are:

124-811-01-61 (retail: $114, wholesale: $92) - left side door
124-811-04-61 (retail: $125, wholesale $100) - right side door

More soon on the replacement process, with photos of new and old.

Cheers,
Gerry

GSXR UPDATE:​

If you thought the 124 door mirror boots were silly priced before, they're downright ludicrous as of Jan-2014:​

MRSP, Left / Right:​

2009 = $104 / $114​

2010 = $119 / $130​

2011 = $129 / $140​

2012 = $158 / $174​

2013 = $159 / $165​

2014 = $308 / $324 (up 94%)​

2015 = $332 / $326 (January 2015)​

2015 = $140 / $140 (Brief price reduction in March/April/May 2015)​

2015 = $332 / $326 (June 2015)​

2016 = $242 / $238 (January 2016)​

2016 = $140 / $238 (May 2016)​

2017 = $142 / $238 (February 2017)​

2018 = $142 / $238 (January 2018)​

2019 = $142 / $238 (January 2019)​

2020 = $142 / $238 (January 2020)​

2021 = $142 / $238 (January 2021)​

​

 

[szvook]

I’ve recently had the side mirrors repainted and the original rubber boots were almost dead and hard as a rock. Got mine from Rusty at whole sale prices. This is a must change before the rubber boots get too tough and start to crack.

 

[gsxr]

BT, DT. Lots of photos are on my website at this link:

http://www.w124performance.com/images/W ... r_mirrors/

It's a shame these are so expensive... they've doubled in price over the last few years. These items are toast on pretty much every 124 that I've ever seen. When they get really bad, they start to shrink, in addition to becoming brittle and cracked. Then they look even worse. The photos on my website show some pretty bad ones.

 

[szvook]

It’s really sad to see the price increase in general and more so on parts for older cars made out of plastic or rubber. I can see the increase for other materials, but for plastic or rubber pieces being raised across the board with the rest of the parts is B.S.

Picked up the new triangular trim panel for my drivers door mirror from the dealer (had to get one this week, so had to go to the dealer) and while waiting on the part another customer was venting how much the parts prices have gone up. So I turned to the customer and indicated that the part I was getting was about $25 two years ago and $88 now, at which time the parts sales clerk blurred out “It’s due to Inflation and lack of parts for some cars”. The other customer almost wanted to jump over the counter and choke the sales clerk.

As I was heading out the door, three beautiful ladies who looked like secretaries walked by in high heels and dressed to kill who right away reminded me where the money goes and this is in the Beverly Hills dealership. Thank god I rarely visit the dealers for this exact reason…unless I’m dying to see overpaid secretaries in action.

 

[J. M. van Swaay]

Don't know if this tip has been mentioned before: When I did this project, I dipped the new rubber boots in a pan of very hot water just prior to installation. Makes it much easier to stretch the new part into place.....

Also, be very careful when removing the triangular trim cover from the inside of the door. There is a plastic tab on the back side that is very easy to break. I found (after breaking a few of these) that using a flat metal putty knife works best. It allows you to apply a perpendicular (to the door surface) force right next to the tab.......

Hope this makes sense.

J. M. van Swaay

 

[rip]

Part prices like these will make you want to part with the car.

 

[gsxr]

Part prices like these will make you want to part with the car.

I know what you mean. Fortunately, the expenditure is required only once every 15-20 years or so. In that light, it's not so bad... just painful when you know the price has doubled in the past 5 years.

 

[gerryvz]

Parts prices for newish cars are not any better than for our E500Es, and in many if not most cases, worse.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[DerFuror]

Re: HOW-TO: Replacing door mirror rubber boot

With my door mirror interior trim plates removed for repairs, I took the opportunity to replace an original door mirror rubber boot that was petrifying & beginning to crack.



A suitable replacement part had been previously liberated from the local junkyard. The following method worked very well for me.



Removal:

• Remove the door mirror according to FSM 88-905 B.
• Take the mirror to a work area covered by a mover’s blanket or similar soft material to protect paint finish & mirror glass.
• Carefully remove the triangular rubber gasket off the frame hooks which hold it in place. Clean & reuse this part if it is still in good condition. The boot uses these same hooks. Detach boot from hooks.

If the boot is petrified enough, you can break it off in your hands. Or it can be cut off. The least amount of material to cut thru exists near the bottom corner drain hole. Cut from each side into the drain hole then separate & pull the boot off the frame with a pair of pliers.



Take this opportunity to thoroughly lubricate any of the mirror frame’s moving parts. Also spray the electrical connection with contact cleaner & remove any corrosion which may exist.



Assembly:

I used the J.M van Swaay method of immersing the new boot in a bucket of very hot water while I removed the old boot & prepared for its replacement. This method uniformly heats the entire boot to maintain the flexibility required for reassembly. I also had a heat gun at the ready just incase, but it was unnecessary.

• Fit the pointy corner of the mirror mounting frame thru the smaller boot hole. Pull the point thru the hole & over the boot corner that it will eventually fit into.

• Fit & seat the smaller hole portion of the boot that rests adjacent to the mirror.
• Now use a non-metallic body trim removal tool or equivalent to stretch/lever the boot over the pointy frame corner.
• Reattach boot to frame hooks.
• Reattach triangular rubber gasket to frame hooks.

Prior to door reattachment:

• Thoroughly wipe down the boot with a UV protectant

• Apply some dielectric grease to the electrical connection & never-seize to the mounting screw threads.
• Clean & wax the outer door skin that the mirror will cover.

 

[vatc5637]

Thanks for this description. I am fairly new to the board and have found it to be a great source of information. I currently own a 1994 E420 with 166,000 miles.

I was going to source new covers from the local dealer when I came across the following from an eBay posting:

"Auto Pro. Rear View Mirror Rubber Seal all W124 W201 Sedan 4 –Door Models 190E 200E 230E 260E 300E E200 E220 E280 E300 E320 E500. Side mirror seal cap of Mercedes-Benz W124 W201 all 4-door models such as 190E 230E 260E 300E E200 E220 E280 E500 is presented. This is OEM replacement parts from ISO exported manufacturer. All of this cap seals is used for both driver side and passenger side of RHD traffic. The replacement part number is A1248110261 and A1248110361. These rear view mirror seal are in 100% new condition that has never been used or installed, prompt to install, OEM quality perfect fit with original standard part. It is time to restore you W201 and W124 all sedan 4-door Mercedes-Benz."

The key fact is the price USD$46 for set of 2 (LH & RH) & $25 shipping from Thailand. For the price, they seem worth trying, but the catch is that they are for a right-hand drive car. I assume the mirrors flip as a result. Does anyone know if they can be used to replace the worn covers on a US spec car? Thanks

TC

ps. ad claims 9 sets available

 

[gerryvz]

My take is that you get what you pay for, particularly with eBay parts that are not documented MB parts. A lot of repro parts out there.

If you DO get them, it would be great to get a report from you & photos as to how they look, quality, fit and finish, and installation on the car. That way, if they are really a good item, it is something that is beneficial to owners to know about. But 95% of the time these cheap parts on eBay tend to be Chinese-made and rather junky.

My two cents anyhow. In 15 years owning MBs, I have yet to find ANY aftermarket rubber product that is as good quality of rubber, and as good of fit and finish, and lasts as long as the OE MB rubber. That goes for door seals, trunk seals, trim parts, chassis rubber & motor mounts, etc.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[sheward]

Yes the mirrors would be flipped, or different. Fitment would be incorect for left hand drive cars.

drew

 

[Hugo Dos Santos]

hello!
Where can I buy the rear view mirror rubber seal?
I live in Portugal and would like to know how to order?
You can reply here or to my email santinihugo@gmail.com
Thank you for your attention, Hugo

 

[rol607]

Awesome write up! Just finished mine. Thanks!

 

[Hollybrook]

Just bought a set for my car and they were $232 for both from parts.com, shipping not included. It seems like replacing them sooner than later is a good idea. I just wish I bought them when this thread first came out...

 

[Jimbo]

It's funny how many OE MB parts are down right reasonably priced if not cheap (IMO)...but , boy, MB makes up for that with items like these.

 

[krshultz]

When I put my E320 back together after paint, I replaced the rubber mirror boots. Instead of going over the metal mounting plate that mates up with the door, I slid the boot over the painted part of the mirror, which I had covered with a couple layers of Press and Seal kitchen wrap. I warmed up the boot in some hot water, and coated the kitchen wrap with whatever I had that was slippery - I think it was glass cleaner. This way felt like there would be less pulling and tugging on the boot.

 

[gerryvz]

Just bought a set for my car and they were $232 for both from parts.com, shipping not included. It seems like replacing them sooner than later is a good idea. I just wish I bought them when this thread first came out...

These always were expensive, but now they are DAYUM expensive, for what they are.

The 126 boots are made out of a much more durable rubber that doesn't fossilize, thankfully.

Every time I wash my wifes wagon I think about buying a set for it to replace her fossilized ones ... then the price kicks into my head and I postpone it. Then the price goes up again.

 

[gerryvz]

COMING SOON: a how-to on replacing your cracked exterior black rubber door mirror boots. These are the pieces that fit between the mirror body and the car door. After 10+ years, they tend to suffer cracking and lose flexibility due to exposure to the elements.

These items are easily available and are applicable to all 124s -- E500E and non-E500E.

The part numbers [for left-hand-drive cars] are:

124 811 01 61 (retail: $114, wholesale: $92) - left side door
124 811 04 61 (retail: $125, wholesale $100) - right side door

More soon on the replacement process, with photos of new and old.

Cheers,
Gerry

Wow, they're now up to $159 and $165 MSRP, respectively! Ouch !

I remember when they were like $75 MSRP and I thought they were spendy back then !!

 

[Maui]

Are the part numbers interchangeable with other W124's? The current prices are ridiculous.

 

[DerFuror]

Are the part numbers interchangeable with other W124's? The current prices are ridiculous.

Yes, the same boots cover all W124 models. Try to get some nice ones from a boneyard if you can. I remember taking entire mirror units including good boots for about $10...ah, good times!

 

[gerryvz]

It seems that the early W124 boots from cars made from about 1986-1990 are made of a different material, that remains pliable. So if you find a very early W124 at a boneyard, it is more likely that the boots will work.

Evidently the Bulgarian factory that squishes out these boots changed their formula after the fall of Communism in the region.

 

[gerryvz]

It seems that the early W124 boots from cars made from about 1986-1990 are made of a different material, that remains pliable. So if you find a very early W124 at a boneyard, it is more likely that the boots will work.

Evidently the Bulgarian factory that squishes out these boots changed their formula after the fall of Communism in the region.

Through a friend of a friend, I was recently able to acquire a pair of 1986-vintage mirror boots. You can see them below, in comparison with the fossilized, 1994-manufactured boots that came stock on my wife's E320 wagon.

Indeed, evidently the Communist boot-squishing factory changed its rubber formula sometime after the 1990 time frame, when the Communists fell out of power in Eastern Europe. One bad result was these boots that are made out of rubber that fossilizes. If you ever see a 1986-1989 era W124 in a wrecking yard, BE SURE to score the mirror boots if they are in good condition. You can save yourself $600, which is about the cost of a new set from MB as of January 2014.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[emerydc8]

Indeed, evidently the Communist boot-squishing factory changed its rubber formula sometime after the 1990 time frame, when the Communists fell out of power in Eastern Europe.

What a difference a few decades make. Now you have the communists in Brussels (funded by the US) openly overthrowing a democratically elected government (Ukraine) which was once a communist country itself.

Those boots are in good shape. Thanks for the tip on that. I head to the junk yard this week and will be on the lookout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSDQe3kMkXQ

[youtube]sSDQe3kMkXQ[/youtube]

 

[gerryvz]

The best thing you can do for your mirror boots, if they are new or new-old, is to slather them with 303 Aerospace Protectant at least once per quarter, to help keep the UV away.

 

[emerydc8]

I always learn of some new substance that I don't have and need to get. Where do you get 303 Aerospace Protectant? Sounds like good stuff. I'm sure Dave will come up with a picture of a bottle of it.

 

[JordiC]

I always learn of some new substance that I don't have and need to get. Where do you get 303 Aerospace Protectant? Sounds like good stuff. I'm sure Dave will come up with a picture of a bottle of it.

No affiliation, I get mine from here. http://www.detailedimage.com/303-M2/

 

[Glen]

Look on Amazon for 303.

 

[emerydc8]

Thanks. Amazon has a 32 ounce bottle for $16.17

 

[gerryvz]

Actually, the Derf shows a small bottle of it in his photos above.

Any marine or boating supply place has it in stock. Like there's tons of those there in Arizona, LOL !!

 

[Maui]

My driver's side shows age. The passenger side is in good shape.

 

[e500.org]

FYI - 124 811 04 61 - right side door - is £63.60 in the UK (part comes on order from Germany). Works out at approx $94 which is a whole lot cheaper than the $324 US 2014 price listed in the first post...

 

[gsxr]

Yeah, there is a major price discrepancy between USA and Europe on these booties. It's been this way for at least 5 years, possibly longer, no idea why.

 

[Bogeyman]

I just checked them on www.huskerparts.com and it showed a list of $140 and net $81.90.

 

[gsxr]

WOW! You are right - the price dropped over 50% in the past 2 months. Rollback on aisle 124... it's 2011 all over again. Hope they aren't NLA...

 

[gerryvz]

That's a HUGE sign of pending NLA. Get 'em while they're hot, boys. That price drop must have been in THIS MONTH's price adjustment (March 2015) as I had checked in Feb. and they were at the higher prices.

 

[gsxr]

Neeeeeed Klink to check Paragon/Partsrgon with the inside scoop on inventory levels!

Random nostalgia: I bought a pair of these booties in 2004 for $55 each... ah, the good ol' days...

 

[gerryvz]

Partsrgon .... LOooooooOooOooL !!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Klink]

Partsrgon .... LOooooooOooOooL !!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gee, I wonder where Gixxer got that one...

 

[gerryvz]

From a certain "former" MB tech in Florida?

 

[DerFuror]

Re:Getting the Boot

FYI - 124 811 04 61 - right side door - is £63.60 in the UK (part comes on order from Germany). Works out at approx $94 which is a whole lot cheaper than the $324 US 2014 price listed in the first post...

Still such a ridiculous beating for what it is..

Unfortunately, the days / opportunities for scoring decent ones from the breakers are becoming less than extremely limited.

 

[Klink]

From a certain "former" MB tech in Florida?

 

[gerryvz]

Still such a ridiculous beating for what it is..

Unfortunately, the days / opportunities for scoring decent ones from the breakers are becoming less than extremely limited.

I find them with fair regularity -- both early 124s and 201s.

Any boot made up to and including 1991 is usually in good condition. The earlier (1986-1987) the better !!

 

[Klink]

Re: Getting the Boot

Still such a ridiculous beating for what it is..

Unfortunately, the days / opportunities for scoring decent ones from the breakers are becoming less than extremely limited.

A beating indeed! It left some scars, and I work at a dealer. Dayam, MB is (was?) proud of those things. Bought them last year, at the peak of the market...

 

[e500.org]

Re: Getting the Boot

Still such a ridiculous beating for what it is..

Unfortunately, the days / opportunities for scoring decent ones from the breakers are becoming less than extremely limited.

Agreed it's a rip off anyways but when I saw the $300+ price on this thread I had to post!

 

[gsxr]

Gee, I wonder where Gixxer got that one...

Some military dude in the deep South... seems to know his way around MB's pretty well!

 

[gerryvz]

deep South

:dasauf:

 

[gsxr]

Bad news, folks. The booties are back to the original price, $332 / $326 USD MSRP. If you didn't score a pair during the brief price reduction in March / April, you're outta luck...

 

[Christian_K]

Bad news, folks. The booties are back to the original price, $332 / $326 USD MSRP. If you didn't score a pair during the brief price reduction in March / April, you're outta luck...

Buy them in germany. 122€ incl. VAT of 19% for germans for the left one. German Price check € here: http://www.online-teile.com/mb/shop_content.php?coID=558

 

[gerryvz]

I may order a couple of pairs to bring back home with me in a couple weeks. If anyone needs a pair please let me know.