How To Fix A Broken Off Side View Mirror

Side Mirror Replacement Overview

Y'all had plenty of clearance yesterday morn. Only equally you drank your java and backed out this morning, the garage door opening mysteriously closed in on your car and ripped off the auto side view mirror. Even if your insurance will cover a side mirror replacement, this body shop repair is almost likely less than your deductible. In other words, it's coming out of your pocket. The practiced news is that you can replace the side view mirror yourself for a lot less!

Order a replacement side view mirror

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Start your repair job by searching the Internet for an aftermarket side view mirror and for the factory paint color code. About mirrors are available from online sources for a fraction of the dealer price. Because replacement trunk parts have to exist painted to match your auto, we located the factory paint color code so visited an auto parts store and purchased cans of aerosol affect-upward pigment and primer.

Painting the side view mirror was piece of cake. We simply masked off the glass and followed the spraying instructions on the paint cans. But if y'all're not up to painting it yourself, have it to a body shop.

Remove the embrace and door panels

Our power mirror repair required the removal of the door trim panel to access the mirror'south electrical connector. This may seem scary at beginning, only with the right tools (available at automobile parts stores), information technology'southward simple. If your car has a manual mirror, you can probably skip that footstep and but pop off the mirror trim console and remove the 3 retaining screws (Photos 1 and 4).

Removing the door trim panel isn't difficult. It'due south designed to exist removed for all types of servicing, such as repairing door handles and window mechanisms. The most challenging part is finding all the subconscious fasteners. The trick to removing the trim console is to know that trim panel screws are usually subconscious behind decorative vanity caps (DVCs) or in obscure recesses. Start your search with the armrest. Wait for screws in the finger pull surface area, under the armrest or backside speaker grilles. If yous run into a circular cover that serves no visible purpose, chances are it's a DVC. Using a "hooked pick" (available at hardware stores; Photograph 2), pry off the DVC and you'll near likely observe a subconscious spiral. We found four hidden screws in our vehicle.

Afterwards you lot remove all the screws, apply the trim panel removal tool shown in Figure A to remove the Christmas tree–shaped fasteners from the door. At that place is no universal pattern to these fasteners, and then y'all'll have to feel effectually to find them by slowly prying around the edge of the trim panel. As you locate each fastener, insert the removal tool behind it and pop it out of its hole. When you've removed all the fasteners, lower the window and elevator the trim console up and out. Check the trim panel and door to make certain all the fasteners came out of the door properly. If any were damaged, take them to an auto parts store to get the proper replacements. Leave the ability window and door lock connectors in place and lean the trim console against the door.

Disconnect the cable

Next, follow the cable from the mirror and disassemble the mirror's electrical connector. Remove the screws that agree the mirror and remove information technology from the door. Adhere the new mirror. Reconnect the electric connector and make certain you test the new side view mirror before putting the parts back into place. Contrary the entire process to reassemble the door trim console. Employ your fist or a small prophylactic mallet to reinsert the Christmas tree trim console fasteners. Replace the screws and the DVCs.

Figure A: Special Tools

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Special tools for removing the panels and replacing the side view mirror are available at auto parts stores.