Visor hinges for R170 SLK 1998-2004

Replacement hinges for the visors on a 1998-2004 Mercedes SLK.

Designed specifically from a 2003 SLK32 but should work on all R170 Mercedes.

1998 - 2004 SLK 230, 320, and 32AMG

Designed in Fusion 360

This will be a work in progress for as long as I own the car...

and something about this thing annoys me.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

XYZprinting

Printer:

da Vinci mini w

Rafts:

Doesn't Matter

Supports:

Yes

Resolution:

Adaptive .1-.3

Infill:

30% Gyroid

Filament: Proto pasta Carbon Fiber HTPLA Black

Notes:

Wall, top, and bottom thickness were all 2mm for strength.

I have included the Cura project setup to print all 4 hinges needed for both sides.

The printer has had an E3D hotend mounted with a modified prusa holder (thing to be posted later). I have also added a "Borosilicate Glass Plate" with a "Flexible Removable Build Surface 150x150mm" mounted to it. If you search Amazon for the quoted text you'll find the exact ones I used.

Work Log

2020-09-03

Both visors on my 2003 SLK32 stopped staying in position at almost the same time. I popped them apart (turn the hinge so that it's flat opposite the visor and slide it out) and found that it was a little worn. Not bad for a 17 year old car. At first I wrapped some tape around them to give them a bit more grip, and ended up just wedging them in place.

Tonight, I finally decided to model the hinges in fusion and print out new ones. The test seems to work well enough. So I'm printing them with a roll of ProtoPasta Carbon FIber HTLPA. This will be my first real test of this filament. I will update this periodically on how well they survive.

The white hinge in the pictures was the prototype. I installed it in the car and it held well enough. I think with both sides replaced it will snap into place like it used to. I'm hoping, after the annealing process, they will hold up to the heat of a car interior. It's supposed to be 100+ highs for the next few days so I should find out quick.

As you can see in the picture, I left the parts on the build plate and put the whole thing in the toaster over. I did put a silicone pad to protect the bottom of the build plate. Inexpensive and not metal but still magnetic. Found it on amazon for ~$10. I mounted the backing for it on a 150x150 glass plate, centered on the stock plate by a set of TPU bumpers. I'll be posting the upgrade parts for my mini once I'm satisfied with them.

I left it in the oven, fluctuating between 95 and 105 C for about an hour (half hour meeting ran long). And then turned off the oven and let it cool naturally to ambient... ok about 30c... I got impatient.

Using the tree supports clean up is really easy with this filament. The base of the part is rough because of the support material and I just couldn't be bothered on a part that won't be seen. I have worked on other test parts and have to say that I could work on it with a power drill opening up a 19mm hole for an LM10UU. And was able to sand without issues, though I would still recommend wet sanding. I haven't tried tapping a hole yet but I have printed M3 threaded parts successfully.

As you can see in the last couple of pictures the visors are mounted back where they belong. They are easily holding a MB rigid sun shield. The hinges are very firmly in the visor because I didn't smooth down the surface. I want to see the wear patterns to see if modifications are necessary.

All in:

• I have about few hours of cad work
• a few hours of print time
• an hour in the oven
• 15 minutes of clean up
• and about $4.25 worth of filament.

to replace... well the least expensive one I could find was $125, in the wrong color. Still saved $250 ($440 list) to replace both of the visors.

Category: Automotive