How to Repair Side Mirrors A vehicle's side mirrors are most noticeable when they break. The rest of the time,we use them without taking much notice of their presence. However,side mirrors are an important part of a car's safety equipment. Unfortunately,breaking a side mirror is all too easy to do,while having the shop replace it can cost several hundred dollars. On the bright side,this is a repair that can easily be undertaken by the vehicle's owner without having to involve the insurance company,take the car to the body shop,or visit the local loan shark.However,in those cases where the damage includes the mirror adjustment mechanism or where the housing itself is broken,then the more extensive repair,i.e.,replacing the entire mirror assembly,must be undertaken Autolink AL519 Scanner. Even in these more extreme cases,the vehicle owner can still do the repair herself,without an expensive,inconvenient trip to the body shop. Replacing Mirror Glass When the housing does not have to be replaced,replacing the glass mirror is an extremely easy repair that can be completed in a few minutes. Care should be taken when handling the old glass,as the sharp edges can cut one's hand. Wearing leather work gloves provides protection against this danger. To start,remove all the loose broken glass from the mirror.It is essentially a thin pry bar,allowing pressure to be put on the back of the panel adjacent to the clip. The same thing can be accomplished with a long,thin,flat-bladed screwdriver. With the clips loosened autel,the door panel can be lifted up and away from the door. The last thing to hold it in place is the rubber gasket trim for the window. This should come loose as the panel is lifted. Disconnect the power connector that controls the mirror adjustment. It will come out from under the mirror mount bracket and go under the inner door panel. Be sure to prevent the connector from falling back inside the door,as it can be very difficult to snake it back out. Remove the three screws that hold the mirror housing to the vehicle.If the entire assembly needs to be changed,it is best to paint the new one before installing it. This minimizes the work in preparing it for painting and masking the vehicle to protect it from overspray. The mirror itself is held in place by three screws,which go through the door panel to the inside of the car. There is also a trim piece on the inside that needs to be removed,along with the inner door trim panel.
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