How to Replace a Broken Side View Mirror
Buy a precut mirror and fix the broken side view mirror on your car. The fix costs less than $20 for parts and supplies and takes only 10 minutes to complete!
Side mirror repair, step by step
You don’t have to replace the entire side view mirror assembly just because the glass is broken. Side mirror repair is a do-it-yourself project that is usually inexpensive.
Replace your car’s side mirror with precut glass
Several manufacturers offer precut glass mirrors to fit vehicles of all makes and models. Our local auto parts store didn’t carry the mirror for our Ford Expedition, so we ordered it online. You’ll also need a tube of black rubber sealant (Permatex, for example), sold at any auto parts store.
Step 1: Prep the broken side mirror
Start the side mirror repair by picking away as many loose pieces of the broken mirror as you can. Wear leather gloves and eye protection while doing this. You can leave the old adhesive in place. Then clean the remaining glass and the plastic mirror base with glass cleaner.
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Step 2: Apply sealant to new side mirror
The new glass comes with adhesive strips on the back, but don’t rely on those strips alone to keep the glass in place. Apply a thick bead of black rubber sealant 3/4-inch in from the perimeter of the plastic mirror retainer. Put a few large dollops of the sealant on the honeycomb portion of the plastic base and a few more on the old broken glass. Don’t apply the sealant in areas where the adhesive pads will contact the plastic base. The pads must make contact with the plastic base to hold the new glass in place while the sealant sets up. Apply the mirror to the base. Use masking tape to hold the mirror in place until the sealant cures.
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The finished product
It looks just like the original!
Now that you’ve mastered side mirror repair, find out why you need to fix a chipped windshield.
