Side view mirror replacement?

[ttora4runner]

How hard is to replace the glass in the side view mirror and what all is involved in doing so? My driver's side, side view mirror glass just broke and I need to replace it.

Repair shops want anywhere between 100 to 170 to replace the glass and I would rather not pay that.

[CJM]

I recall it just snaps in place, all you need is the mirror off another truck or order the insert.

[strykersd]

I don't know where in Utah you live, but if it's anywhere near Salt Lake City you can pick up a new on at Certifit for $40-$50. http://www.certifit.com . Or what I do is find a glass shop that'll cut out a piece and glue it in for you. My local shop charges me $25 for each side view mirror glass. Good luck

[MTL_4runner]

How hard is to replace the glass in the side view mirror and what all is involved in doing so? My driver's side, side view mirror glass just broke and I need to replace it.

Repair shops want anywhere between 100 to 170 to replace the glass and I would rather not pay that.


That's an outrageous price for side mirror glass replacement unless you have heated mirrors. I had mine replaced not too long ago for around $30 taxes in. They needed to first order the glass in (cost around $22) and it comes precut to the correct size. I watched the guy do it right in front of me and the glass is glued in place with some sort of nasty adhesive (looks like a polyurethane adhesive, sort of like liquid nails that never dries). They then need to scrape that off and use windshield adhesive to glue the new glass in place (they use tape to hold it until the adhesive cures in about 2-3 hours). If you have heated mirrors then there is a heating element behind there that also needs to be replaced (it's attached to the back of the mirror).....hence the increase in cost.

[ttora4runner]

Most of the salvage yards around here won't sell just the glass. They want the whole unit and want $100 and up for it. Um, no.

How do you know if you have heated mirrors? Isn't there a little graphic on the mirrors (squilly lines)that indicate you have heated mirrors? I don't have that little graphic.

[CJM]

^ Turn on your defrost and wait 5 mins and feel the mirror. If its hot you got heated mirrors iirc.

[MTL_4runner]

Most of the salvage yards around here won't sell just the glass. They want the whole unit and want $100 and up for it. Um, no.

How do you know if you have heated mirrors? Isn't there a little graphic on the mirrors (squilly lines)that indicate you have heated mirrors? I don't have that little graphic.


Don't go the salvage route, they make brand new precut mirror glass and it's much cheaper than a new complete side mirror. Like I said a windshield/glass replacement place can order it for you.

If you can't find anyone to help you can buy it off eBay too:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYOTA-4RUNNER-96-99-PASSENGER-SIDE-MIRROR-GLASS-97-98_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a512335aQQitemZ230 402700122QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAcces sories

You should be able to turn on the rear defroster button and within 5-6 minutes the mirrors should start feeling warmer than the surrounding area. You can also look in the engine compartment fuse box for a fuse position called "MIR HTR". If the fuse is there, you likely have heated mirrors.

[Seanz0rz]

kind of a side topic, but how would you go about swapping in heated mirrors?

[CJM]

kind of a side topic, but how would you go about swapping in heated mirrors?


They make kits to do so iirc. Basically your replacing the entire glass and you gotta wire in the wires for the heating element to something. Or they have kits (I just looked it up for ya btw) that has an element that attaches to the mirror and heats it up. Looks rather spendy at 70 bucks tho http://www.muthco.com/products/kits/200-0221.htm

[MTL_4runner]

They make kits to do so iirc. Basically your replacing the entire glass and you gotta wire in the wires for the heating element to something. Or they have kits (I just looked it up for ya btw) that has an element that attaches to the mirror and heats it up. Looks rather spendy at 70 bucks tho http://www.muthco.com/products/kits/200-0221.htm


X2

You'll need to buy new heated mirror glass for both sides (you'll break the old mirrors when they come off anyway) and add a powered timer kit (which is basically what that $70 kit above does). Very doable but it will definately take a few hours to remove / install mirrors and run the wiring through the dash and doors.