So Fix it

The plastic side mirror on the Chrysler Town and Country attaches to the small electronic motor mounted inside the large plastic mirror assembly bolted to the side of the door. A broken mirror breaks in two different ways. The mirror cracks but stays intact or the mirror completely shatters into pieces. The process for replacement differs for each situation.

Instructions

Cracked

1

Push one side of the mirror into the plastic assembly. If you replace the driver mirror, push the right side of the mirror into the assembly. If replacing the passenger mirror, push the left side of the mirror into the assembly. This pushes the other end of the mirror out of the assembly.

2

Slide your fingers behind the plastic mirror and press your thumb against the front of the mirror. Pull the mirror out of the assembly. The mirror attaches to the motor with four metal clips. As you pull on the mirror, the clips spread apart and the mirror comes off the motor.

3

Place the new mirror into the assembly. The tight tolerance of the assembly forces the metal tabs into the correct location for mounting the mirror.

4

Push on the center of the mirror to spread the metal tabs around the motor. You will feel the mirror seat onto the motor.

Shattered

5

Remove the pieces of the broken mirror from the assembly. The mirror is plastic so there is less chance you will get cut by the plastic shards.

6

Sweep the remaining small pieces of plastic out of the assembly. Any sized piece of plastic could wedge between the mirror and the assembly and cause the mirror to get jammed inside the assembly. This prevents you from adjusting the mirror. Use a sweeper with a hose attachment.

7

Place the new mirror into the assembly. The tight tolerance of the assembly forces the metal tabs into the correct location for mounting the mirror.

8

Push on the center of the mirror to spread the metal tabs around the motor. You will feel the mirror seat onto the motor.

The VW Polo is a compact car based off of the VW Golf. In the North American market, it is classed as a sub-compact. It actually uses many of the same parts as the Golf, including the side mirrors. While the Polo is a very small car, it can break its side mirrors too. This broken glass must be removed before a new glass mirror can be put in. Luckily, the glass is just held in by glue, so all it takes is some hard scraping.

Instructions

1

Park the VW Polo in a well-lit garage or in your driveway during a bright day. Make sure to pull the emergency brake to keep the car from moving while you work on it.

2

Use a flathead screwdriver as a pry bar and slip the tip under the lip of the mirror glass. Pry the mirror off with gentle rocking motions along the edge of the glass. Dont worry if the glass shatters. Just work the individual pieces off.

3

Scrape the remaining glue off with a razor. Use short scraping motions to get off the big pieces. Once all the lumps are off, soak the tip of a towel in solvent and work it on the back plate of the mirror. This prepares the back plate for the glue that will hold the new mirror in place. The cleaner the backplate, the better the new glue will bond.

Replacing a damaged or non-working powered mirror on the passenger side of a 2005 Toyota Camry requires removing the interior door panel to access the wire harness connection. Removing the panel and replacing the mirror is a fairly benign procedure that can save do-it-yourself enthusiasts both time and money. After-market mirrors may fit the Camry directly, but do not come painted (if the Camry is equipped with painted mirrors). Paint it prior to installation, or order one from the dealership with the correct paint code.

Instructions

1

Open the passenger door and then power down the window. Turn the ignition key into the Off position.

2

Pry off the sail trim piece (opposite the side mirror above the door panel) using the plastic pry tool.

3

Pry off the door handle trim piece (surrounding the door handle) using the plastic pry tool.

4

Pry off the small rectangular trim panel in the arm rest pull cup with the plastic pry tool.

5

Pry off the small, round vanity plug from the door panel (located near the top front section of the interior door panel) with the plastic trim tool.

6

Remove the five screws from the interior door panel with the Phillips head screwdriver. One is located under the small, round vanity cap (removed), one is located in the door handle assembly, one is located in the arm rest pull cup (revealed from trim removal) and the last two are located at the bottom of the door panel (visible).

7

Pry the window control module upward away from the arm rest of the interior door panel with the plastic pry tool and then unplug the wired connectors from under the module. Squeeze the plug clips to release it from the mating plugs of the module.

8

Remove the last screw holding the door panel (revealed underneath the window control module) with the screwdriver.

9

Pry the door panel away from the door frame with the plastic pry tool. Start at the bottom and then work up the left and right side of the panel to unseat the hidden panel clips from the door frame.

10

Pull slightly upward on the door panel, but do not try to remove it. Pull it far away from the door frame to reach behind and disconnect the door handle rod and locking mechanism near the door handle. Remove the door panel and set aside so no damage can occur to it.

11

Disconnect the wire harness coming from the powered mirror (approximately 4 inches below the mirror).

12

Remove the three mirror nuts from the studs with the 10mm nut driver, but brace the mirror with one hand (through the open window area) when removing the last one. The mirror may stay connected (stuck) to the door, but if it does fall loose, bracing it will prevent if from incurring damage to the exterior door and paint.

13

Install the new mirror and then replace the interior door panel by reversing the procedure.