Side Mirror glass only replacement

MIke can you tilt the miirror enough to get a view from one of the sides? It appears that one of the four studs that held the mirror broke off in the white lower left piece. That would suggest a pressure fit type of stud that should pull out carefully. This is like a chinese puzzel box. Alternately there might be little keeps on the back of the studs but it would be really tough to put them back on. Perhaps the glass comes off a carrier that plugs into the white piece? I will have to look at mine when I get home unless others here are in the know.

 

I wonder how it would look to just glue a piece of mirror of the correct size on top of your cracked one?

 

Mike, yours is broken..... break out the remaining mirror as gently as possible starting in the center, safety glasses are a must!

 

No joy, couldnt even get close to seeing in there. Good suggestions here though.

 

I haven't looked inside one of these (I sold mine when I removed). However, it would seem likely that the circular piece with the 4 tabs are permanently affixed to the glass, and that a special tool (moulding remover?) could be used to detatch the round piece and glass as an assembly from the tilt mechanism.

Mike, when you do remove the broken pieces, please look closely for a detachment point(s).

To break more glass out, use a glass cutter and score the surface; then tap the score hard on the surface at the score with the ball on the cutter (Usually, you tap from under the score, but no good here...no access...you would basically be scoring only to have better control of where the glass breaks.

Use gloves to handle the shards.

Rotate shards attached to loosen...and softly at that...don't just pull out.

If you want, you can mail to me and I'll give the glass removal a go. I used to do professional stained glass, so I am not afraid. I also have excellent cutters. If successful, I'll document here for all. I may also figure out removal/replacement. PM me if you are interested.

 

I dont have experience with these exact mirrors (ones on UK cars are different) but assuming they are a standard design, the glass is removed by turning a locking ring which is part of the backing plate which the glass is glued to.
The ring is accessed through the bottom by adjusting the mirror to open up the gap to max, at the bottom. Then look into the gap and you might be able to see some slots in a round ring just behind the glass. Insert a screwdriver and turn the ring and the glass should pop out. Then use a hot air gun and scraper to remove the glass from backplate and refit.

Again, this is pure theory, these mitrrors might be a different design, but the picture seems to confirm they are this type. The locking ring engages on the 4 tabs which can be seen in the picture.

 

Personally, I would not hit that assembly with anything. My first thought would be to apply some gentle leverage to one edge of the mirror or the other with a putty knife, etc., then heat the mirror itself with a heat gun (being careful not to cook the black outer housing...though it's pretty durable and can probably withstand some heat). It's very likely that it's glued to that white plastic "collar" and heat may allow the whole thing to pop loose without any impact to it. The holes may be for positioning pins on the back, that are glued. Your photo of the disassembled mirror hints at some dark colored adhesive on the white "collar". With the small plastic gears and mechanism, it may not take well to impact.

My 2.5 cents.

 

Great work, Mike.

 

Cool