/How to Replace a Car Side Mirror

How to Replace a Car Side Mirror

No matter how it happened, a damaged side view mirror should be replaced as soon as possible. As frustrating as it is to take time out to have it repaired, a damaged side mirror is both a visual and safety hazard. You can take a trip to the salvage yard for a new mirror or order one online or through your dealership if you know how to replace a car side mirror, instead of traipsing to the workshop.

Replace a Car Side Mirror at How to Replace a Car Side Mirror

If it’s only the mirror section of the side view mirror that has been broken, then you only need to obtain replacement glass from the auto parts shop. The question of how to replace a car side mirror then becomes so much easier to resolve as well. There may be a waiting period for the glass to arrive, and that time can be used to gather the supplies you will need to attach the new piece of glass to its frame. This is also the time to remove the broken pieces of mirror from the frame. You should protect yourself from getting cut by the shards with heavy-duty gloves. Any dried putty should also be removed.

Use silicone adhesive to attach the new mirror to the frame. 5 quarter-sized dots are sufficient to provide adequate anchorage. Attach the glass piece to the silicone and tape into place to secure it, and leave it to dry overnight.

Car Side Mirror1 at How to Replace a Car Side Mirror

To replace the entire mirror assembly, first disconnect the negative cable on the battery to prevent accidental electrocution. Carefully remove the interior door panel by first prying it away from the frame before removing any screw holding it in place.

Take off the interior door panel by using your pry tool to remove the trim pieces. Then use the screwdriver to remove the screws holding the panel in place. You may have to remove a corner trim piece before the door panel lifts off. The wiring harness for power-control mirrors should be unplugged at this point.

The mirror bolts are extracted with a nut driver or socket wrench to enable removal of the entire mirror assembly from the car. Extract the screws from the assembly with a star screwdriver and pry the plastic tabs on the backing until the broken mirror is detached from the assembly. The new mirror is attached to the assembly by simply snapping it onto the same backing, fastened with tabs. The new mirror and its backing are returned to the assembly, which is reinstalled back into the panel.

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