Yet another thread about mirrors...

[1911gunner [OP]]

So there I am with my PIAA bulbs in hand ready to change out my mirror lights. I have read every thread going back five-plus years on how to get the mirror glass off....I consider myself reasonably well prepared....

Fast forward to the first mirror is done....woo! bulb in and tested sweet! Now to put the glass back on! Wait....None of the threads mentioned any secrets about that part....

Sure the glass mounts back in fairly easily....but wait, how do you get the adjustment screws/clips back into their spots? Screwdriver? Nope wouldn't work for me, not enough pressure to keep the adjuster in place to provide enough pressure on the glass. Lower the adjuster and put pressure on the glass? Sure! That ought to work! POP! Hey there it goes! Wait, what is that little piece of black plastic that just came sliding out from under the mirror??? Yup, that is the side of the ring from the glass side of the mirror that just broke from trying to force the adjuster in the hole....Nice job jackass! You're out power mirrors until you get a new driver's side mirror!


So...What is the secret on getting the mirrors back ON?

Oh, and the passenger side split at the ring...instead of the adjuster coming out, the ring separated from the glass, where the top two clips broke but the rest held - so that mirror is serviceable....I'm going to end up replacing both mirrors after the winter.....These bulbs better be frikking worth it!

[FJ_Xplore]

Wow, great post becasue I was going to do the same and I am usually screwing it up. Can't wait for the answers!

[1911gunner [OP]]

Yes, I quickly found you must be very careful.

On my passenger side - I went a little too quickly when applying pressure to the side adjuster (which by the way is a white plastic screw looking thing with a ball head. The head is what you are trying to separate from the mirror itself) This is where I went wrong, and the brackets separated at the wrong place. I think I got lucky, and most of the plastic survived and will probably hold until spring. Moral of the story - SLOW STEADY PRESSURE to separate the "clips" or adjusters. Don't get too quick.

On my driver's side - I got the mirror off without a hitch, and re-mounted the mirror without a problem. I ran into trouble with reconnecting the adjusters, or "clips." They are basically screw adjusters for push/pull the mirror via the motor. At the top of the adjuster is a ball that fits into a "cup" on the mirror. It is relatively easy to pry out using the leverage of a screwdriver, however I totally failed getting it back in.

How does everyone else get these two balls back into the mirrors?