Easy Mirror Repair

[Flyn]

Here's a cheap, easy repair for anyone with a broken or damaged outside mirror.

My Caddy's driver's side mirror is heated and auto dim. It broke sometime during the previous owner's ownership. The mirror was intact, not cracked but it was dark tinted around the entire mirror except for the very center. This made it difficult to use the mirror after dark.

Since the mirror motor is fine, I decided to take the cheap route for this repair. I bought a Redi Cuts mirror which comes with double sided tape circles. As you can see in the first pic, I applied the circles to the back of the mirror. The second pic shows the finished result. The instructions say to remove the old, cracked/broken mirror and stick the new mirror to the backing plate but, because the circles are thin and I thought the old mirror would make a better surface to adhere to, I stuck the new mirror directly over the old mirror. There's a slight lip to the mirror but, if you don't know it's there, you will probably never see it. 5 minute repair with a $15 cost.

Also in the first pic is the passenger side mirror I also bought on Ebay. The motor is broken on the passenger mirror so the entire unit is getting replaced. I'll add some pics for that when I finish the install.

I forgot to take a "before" pic of the old mirror showing the tint. Sorry. Imagine a dark tint on the mirror and you will have an idea what it looked like.

Click to read more...

 

[Flyn]

My son and I pulled the door panel off this morning. 4 screws and a bunch of the door push pins. For once, every push pin came out properly, from the door, not the inside door panel. I used a wide screwdriver to pry each one.

We disconnected the window controls and supported the door so the door latch rod would not get damaged.

There is a trim piece that covers the tweeter and surrounds the window. We were able to pry out the push pin underneath it and pull it far enough back to access the three mirror bolts. I disconnected the two wiring clips, removed the nuts and removed the old mirror.

Install was a reverse of the removal. insert mirror, plug in wiring clips and test mirror. Worked fine so I installed the nuts and door panel. Took about an hour for the whole job and we were taking our time.

I know you mechanics are laughing at this simple install but, for a layman, a door panel can be a tough removal/install, especially if the push pins break or pull through the skin. This one was easy.

Both mirrors are now fixed and functioning. Total cost was $115 and some change for the Ebay parts. The dealer wanted $600 for EACH mirror so it's $115 vs. $1,200.

First pics show taped up old mirror and door panel removal. Two screws under a velcro flap by the pull bar, one screw under a trim piece behind the door handle and one screw (not shown) in the back bottom corner.

 

[Flyn]

In these pics, you can see mirror bolts behind tweeter, the two wiring clips, green and black which are both simple to remove and the finished product.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Wow awesome write up on a super confusing task!

 

[Flyn]

Thanks! Mirror repair isn't as exciting as a blower install but this thread shows two different ways to fix a broken mirror. I hope it helps someone out when they have to repair their own mirror.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I was being sarcastic.

 

[willsmysticcobra]

:rollpicard:

 

[Flyn]

Good for you if you already know this stuff.

I'll be watching for your next rear end rebuild or trans overhaul "how to" thread. :smile:

 

[syP]

so now one has heat and autodim and one doesnt?


jank as fuck

 

[Flyn]

so now one has heat and autodim and one doesnt?


jank as fuck

I may be wrong but I believe only the driver's mirror was tinted on the SLS with the memory option. I never had a tinted mirror so I doubt I need one now. I'd rather have the $105 in my pocket. If the mirror does end up bugging me, an autodim is $120 on Ebay. If you look above, you will see a write up on how to install it so I'm all set. :wink:

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

My favorite is your write up on using double sided tape

 

[Flyn]

LOL! It worked. Guess I'm old school. I was born before the replace the entire assembly when something breaks generation..

I'm sure not every site member has used double sided tape. If the write up helps one person, it's worth the time.

Might be a bunch of guys with cracked mirrors just waiting for a thread like this. :smile:

 

[slowchevy]

No use to be a fucking dick, Joel. Stop trashing dudes thread.

Cliff.. this is helpful , my door appears to come apart the same way so this helps me for when I fix my speakers. Thanks