I need help replacing a side-view mirror!

[dc_priuslover]

Does anyone know how to replace the mirror for a side-view mirror? Mine was clipped by a passing car, though fortunately the housing and internal mechanisms were spared. Poking around the inside, I think it will be easy to figure out, but I'd really prefer instructions, or at least advice, since I've never done this before.

Thanks in advance.

[tripp]

Hey, I'm interested in this too. A large arse (not mine) smashed mine and I've (still) just got it duct-taped in place. Galaxee what can yer DH tell us about this? If it's pretty easy I'd like to try it.

[aaf709]

I don't know what Toyota does, but when this happened to my wife's Windstar (mirror only broken) she had to replace the entire assembly. If it's just the mirror that was damaged, a temporary solution might be to go to an auto store and get a cheap side view mirror. Remove the glass part and attach it using contact cement.

[naterprius]

What do you need? The glass, the colored housing, or the entire assembly?

Nate

[ScottY]

Someone ripped off my entire side mirror assembly. Parts ~$260 + labor ~$90 to get it fix at the dealer. They had to take apart the door panels to install it.

If you only need just the mirror, that might be a bit less. If you are interest at how to take apart the door panels, there are couple of Prius speaker/audio upgrade instructions that show that.

[galaxee]

WARNING. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK. WE ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU BREAK SOMETHING.

with that out of the way:

1. take off door tweeter speaker (or cover panel)- pulls straight back from the top
2. in the door handle (inside the car) pull the door handle out like you're going to open the door. the backing plate behind the handle can be popped out with a thin screwdriver between the handle and the backing plate.
3. behind that is a phillips head screw. remove it.
4. another phillips head screw inside the door grab, that hole below the handle. pull that out too.
5. pull the door lock/window lock plate (the silver plate with the switches) straight up.
6. disconnect the wires from that switch thing. it's hard to explain this connector. there are 2 wires connected, one has a normal connection. the other one is weird. there's a little notch to push in on a release pin. now once you've pushed in the release pin, you have to pull the outside of the connector back before it will release the pins and separate the connector. there is a gap in the long edge of where the cage comes back, that if you slip something flat into it and pry (butterknife) it helps. if you happen to break that, the best thing to do is to try to tape it together. this is the most likely thing to break and the reason for the all-caps warning. it's just hard to do unless you've done one before. DH broke the first one he did too.
7. starting at the bottom of the door panel, pull back a little, slip a couple fingers in the gap, slide them to either side. that pops the clips out.
8. pull the clips out all around, being careful for the lighting wire at the corner of the door. you can unplug this wire from the light fixture.
9. pull the panel out around the 3 sides below the window and lift straight up and off, back from the window.
10. up in the corner where the speaker or cover panel was, are 3 (he thinks) 10 mm nuts. (make sure you note the orientation of the tweeter, it needs to go back the same way it was.) take those off and unplug the wire for the mirror.
11. take the mirror off, put the new one on.
12. do these steps backward to reassemble your door. just line up the clips nicely, slowly pop them back into place one at a time. if one comes out of the panel, you can use a couple of butterknives to pop the clip out and put it back in the panel. if you break one... if it's a really big deal to you you can go to the dealer and get one for less than a buck. make sure to reconnect all the wires.

oh. and the color panel that matches your paint doesn't come with the mirror. that's extra.

we'll handle any questions next time have a few minutes, if there are any questions.

[tripp]

hmmm <_<

Maybe I'll just pay for someone else to do it. Don't wanna cause more problems. Thanks for the info though, Galaxee. Maybe when the car's a bit older and I'm not as worried about smashing stuff I'll try something like this.

[naterprius]

Hey tripp, where in Denver are you? I live in Longmont and work in Louisville. If you want me to put it on, I can do it in about 15 minutes. No charge. I used to be a mechanic at a Toyota dealer, I know what I'm doing.

Nate

[galaxee]

hah, perfect example of varying definitions of "easy." of course, it's based on experience that he calls it "easy" and nate can do the thing in 15 minutes. they've done this plenty of times before.

sounds like a great offer from nate, especially considering the dealer will bill you a good chunk o' money to do it...

[hngu7721]

Originally posted by dc_priuslover@Feb 2 2006, 01:09 PM
Does anyone know how to replace the mirror for a side-view mirror? Mine was clipped by a passing car, though fortunately the housing and internal mechanisms were spared. Poking around the inside, I think it will be easy to figure out, but I'd really prefer instructions, or at least advice, since I've never done this before.

Thanks in advance.

[snapback]202735[/snapback]

I just replaced mine with the JDM blue tinted wide angle so i can help.

-Using a flathead screwdriver, slide underneath (and directly against) backside of mirror about 1/4 of the way in from the left side.
-This will lodge the screwdriver in between the mirror and the mounting hook, now turn the screwdriver gently so that it will separate the mirror and mount.
-You will need to repeat procedure for the other side (1/4 from right edge in)
-You should now be able to swing the mirror from the bottom away from the housing, but not completely remove it
-Swing out the mirror all the way, then pull out (about 5 o'clock angle)
-disconnect the heating element from mirror and you're good to go



HTH