[Oldslowandugly]

We lost another driver side mirror being parked on our insane street. This time the whole glass and backing came off cleanly. The manual adjuster mechanism is intact. I have another complete mirror assembly but it is power and the broken one is manual. How can I get the mirror glass part off of the power and put it on the manual? I know it has to be possible because they sell just the mirror and backing so that you can replace a broken glass. But how does the old glass release from the adjuster mechanism?

 

[1966tbird]

Wish I could help and send you one. In the mean time, put the power head on and use your fingers to adjust.

 

[Oldslowandugly]

That is what I did while waiting for a new mirror to arrive. It is annoying though- the glass obviously can come off because they sell a new glass only assembly. There are plastic arms with claws at the ends that press into the adjuster and are held in place. I see no way to get behind and release them even with the back-side cover off. FWIW the glass-only replacement part costs as much as the whole darn mirror assembly. No-brainer to just get the whole thing.

 

[1966tbird]

I have a set of electric to install on the BC and replace OEM manual ones that are gummed up with age. I thought the glass snaps and is glued into a carrier that snaps onto the plate that swivels & pivots.

 

[Oldslowandugly]

the glass is glued into a carrier that snaps onto the plate that swivels & pivots.

Yes, the glass is glued to a plastic plate. That plate snaps onto the swivel mechanism. No glue on that. Maybe it is not meant to ever be removed. But in case of breakage, a replacement can be snapped on to the swivel part?

 

[Oldslowandugly]

OMG ANOTHER mirror bit the dust!!! My daughter was driving the '05 back to me and some douchebag in a huge SUV was coming straight at her. She pulled into the parking lane so as not to get hit head-on and she stopped, yet the asshat still nailed the mirror. This time the glass and backing came off cleanly. I can see how it attaches. I think you can just pry the whole glass/backing plate right off. It presses into the adjuster and is retained by plastic tabs. This time I ordered another whole mirror assembly because it is cheaper than just the glass. Then I found just the glass/backing for a very cheap price and I decided to try replacing just the glass on the old one. Stay tuned.

 

[Oldslowandugly]

Whelp, the Fleabay vendor cancelled my order for the replacement mirror glass. He said the address I have used for 18 years is "no good". OK. So I ordered from someone else for a bit le$$. Supposedly these type snap right on to the factory housing. We shall see.

 

[1966tbird]

Whelp, the Fleabay vendor cancelled my order for the replacement mirror glass. He said the address I have used for 18 years is "no good". OK. So I ordered from someone else for a bit le$$. Supposedly these type snap right on to the factory housing. We shall see.

Send pictures of before and after for all!

 

[Oldslowandugly]

That never crossed my mind. Will do!

 

[Oldslowandugly]

OK, the first mirror I ordered was cancelled by the seller. Unknown why. I chose another vendor on Fleabay and this one came but it took two weeks from Texas- First Class Mail!!! Something is not right about that. Anyway I made sure that the description said that it installed just like the OEM. This is critical as the OEM mirrors have a backing plate that snaps onto the adjuster mechanism. My original '05 assembly was hit so hard the adjuster cables were not working. So I used the last aftermarket replacement that got hit as it was working better. The replacement backing plate had the little plastic tabs just like the OEM. You line it up so it engages the adjuster properly- then use a folded up rag to protect your hand- and just press it right onto the adjuster until it snaps into place. Only press it in the middle of the glass or it will bend and not lay flat. I was amazed at how easy it was. This video shows the process in detail.

The first pic is the original '05 unit. Next is the new replacement that got hit too. Much cleaner. Next is the new mirror and backing plate. Not sure what the little metal tab is for. The last is the new glass snapped onto the adjuster assembly and working fine. Glass was $14 vs $35 for the whole assembly.

 

[1966tbird]

Hey OSU! Far out. It shows what we all needed to fix a little mirror smack.
Do you bet it’s the very similar setup for electric mirrors?

 

[Oldslowandugly]

Yes, the listing was for both. The movable adjuster is probably the same configuration. The only difference would be for heated mirrors as they have a heating element on the backing plate. If the original backing plate is intact you can pry it off and get just the glass. That comes with double sided tape to adhere to the backing plate. In our case the plate was smashed too. This was so easy I am sorry I did not attempt it before buying whole new assemblies. But as I said my original was smashed pretty bad so it was not re-usable. I found pieces three doors down the street. I still don't know what the little steel tab is for. Some pictures show it inserted into a plastic boss on the plate, then bent over on itself. See the squarish thing in the third pic near the steel tab? The fat end fits into that. None of these vendors include instructions. They just say if you don't know what you are doing take it to a professional. The only thing I am willing to pay for is inspections and wheel alignments.