Your side view mirror is broken and now you need to replace it. The first thing you need to do is avoid the roads until you’ve made the repair. Driving around town with a broken side mirror could be dangerous, as it is primarily used to prevent accidents. It helps with safe driving by allowing you to see blind spots and detect other moving cars before switching lanes. That’s why it is crucial that you easily replace your side view mirrors.
How to replace side view mirrors
If you have to replace side view mirrors and want to conserve money when doing it, the best thing to do is to purchase the parts and do the work yourself. Replacing side view mirrors is simple, and you are able to do it quickly and effortlessly with these steps rather than paying outrageous labor costs at the auto repair shop. Thanks to eHow, here is what you have to do, one step at a time:
Things you’ll need:
- Owner’s manual
- Replacement mirror
- Pry tool
- Screwdriver and/or torx driver
- Nut driver and/or socket wrench
- Small, shallow plastic bowl, cup or container
Step 1: Make certain you’ve the replacement mirror. Be sure the replacement mirror is the exact same match as the one you are replacing. Take into account the vehicle’s model, make and year. If you cannot discover a new side mirror at your dealership or auto parts stores, try looking at savage yards or online. You can also conserve money that way.
Step 2: Roll your window down and turn off the car.
Step 3: Detach the battery’s negative cable. This step is very essential because there is electrocution risk involved if the cable is nevertheless affixed.
Step 4: Use your pry tool to take out the trim pieces of the interior door panel. Next, remove the screws holding the panel in place using a screwdriver. In some cases, a corner trim piece may have to be removed first before you are able to lift the door panel off.
Step 5: Skip this step when you have manual roll-down windows. For those who have power-controlled mirrors, nevertheless, the wiring harness needs to be unplugged.
Step 6: With a socket wrench or a nut driver, remove the mirror bolts so you are able to take out the entire mirror assembly from the vehicle.
Step 7: From the mirror assembly, pull the actual mirror apart. You are able to use a torx driver to take out the screws and then gently pry the plastic tabs on the backing until the two pieces fall apart.
Step 8: Take the replacement mirror and attach it to the assembly; simply snap it onto the backing with the tabs.
Step 9: Once you’ve attached the new mirror to the backing, place it to the mirror assembly.
Step 10: Reverse each step to reinstall the entire mirror assembly back on the auto.
Replace side view mirrors safely
Don’t go driving off yet just because you’ve completed the last step to replace your side view mirrors. Make sure everything is back in place before reconnecting the battery. Be sure to double- or even triple-check the connections and wires before the battery is reattached.
