How To Replace Side View Mirror On Your Car

Side view mirrors give in to weather and break due to wear and tear

. Side view mirrors are very important to driving. In order to ensure safe driving both the driver side and passenger side view mirrors should be changed as soon they break or become old and the vision in the mirror is no longer clear.

Side mirrors help you see what is happening beside and behind your car. Side view mirrors can be adjusted manually or with the help of an electronic control. Since these mirrors are located on the outside of the car they are susceptible to damage easily either by road debris or accidental damage.

Replacing side view mirror is a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project that requires alertness coupled with patience.

The mirror housing is a movable part that is fixed to the side of the driver and the passenger door. This mirror housing can be removed with the help of a small right angle screwdriver that can unscrew it. For a permanent solution it is better to remove the bezel that houses the mirror.

Remove the mirror from the bezel by softening the adhesive that fixes the mirror to the bezel. You can use heat to soften this adhesive by heating the area with a hair dryer. The glue on the rear of the mirror can be peeled off by softening and the mirror can be removed from its housing. Do not overheat the adhesive as this may lead to the mirror slipping and falling or leaving marks on the mirror.

Even after removing the mirror from the housing and clearing the adhesive, a thin film of adhesive is still coated to the mirror. This needs to be removed with heating if you are planning to use the same mirror. Do not scrape the mirror with sharp objects. This might take the mirror coating off. If it is a new mirror this step can be avoided. The mirror base in which the mirror sits needs to be cleaned of the old glue again by heating and softening. The removing of adhesive from a good mirror is a time consuming process and will require you to be patient. Mirror bases become curved with time and can be straightened with a little pressure.

The curved base can be freed from the bezel by removing the cables that hold it tightly. By applying pressure with low heat on this curvature, it can be straightened. Mirror bases are made of plastic and if they become too curved then they may be replaced with a new one.

The new or the old mirror can be tried now to check if it fits into the housing. The base may remain a little concave and this is quite normal.

Select permanent, water, and heat proof adhesive that can hold the mirror vertically. Apply adhesive inside the mirror in the center iin the form of beading to ensure an even spreading of the adhesive.

Tools required while replacing the mirror

* Screw Drivers

* Adhesive

* Gloves

* Scraper

* Safety glasses

Precautions to be taken while replacing the mirror

* Do not use force while taking out the old mirror

* Dot not pull or push the mirror lest you break the mirror or the backing

* If you push with a screwdriver, you may damage the mirror

* Heating element may get a cut if you push with a screwdriver

* The mirror may snap and send flakes of mirror flying

* Do not use the car for 24 hours after using adhesive on mirror as it takes 24 hours to fix

by: Robert2012

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