Honda Mirror

So your Honda mirror is broken, cracked, or otherwise dimmed out. How do you fix it? Mirror repair and replacement depends mostly on the extent of the damage. The Honda mirror can take a moderate amount of impact, but your rearview and side view mirrors can only take so much before they buckle and literally crack under pressure or through glass-breaking collisions. When the mirror lens cracks, you might need to return the part to the dealer to have it replaced altogether. You also have to remove the bolts to secure the mirror prior to replacement, which you can do on your own to save you money on labor costs.

Difficulty Level:Moderate

What You'll Need

 

• Flathead screwdriver
• Telescopic magnet
• Metric socket (most likely 10 millimeters)
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet with a 2-inch or 3-inch extension

 

Step 1: Use your hand to push the right side of your driver's side mirror into the housing. If you're fixing the passenger side mirror instead, push from the left side of the lens into the housing instead to pop the lens out.

Step 2: Now you can go about properly removing the mirror. You should just pull the mirror outwards in order to make the mirror motor pop out. By pulling off the lens carefully, you'll avoid potentially damaging the mirror motor altogether.

Step 3: Place on the back of your replacement mirror-that is, inside the housing and around the mirror motor-the brackets, pushing back on the lens in order to secure it unto the motor. Push gently but firmly until the mirror seat is in place.

Step 4: On the interior door side adjacent to the side view mirror is the black plastic triangular molding. Using a screwdriver and rags, go and pry away the snap-in molding from the door. You might need to adjust angles of prying to really get your fingers underneath the molding.

Step 5: Find the wire harness from the cavity of your door with powered windows. Manipulate it to expose the mirror plug that needs unplugging and a locking tab that requires screwdriver prying. Remove the interior sleeve and mirror direction handle if you have manual mirrors.

Step 6: Remove foam or insulation plugs under the molding to access the studs and screws holding the mirror to your door. Use a socket, extension, and ratchet as well as a telescopic magnet to keep from losing the nut.

Step 7: Hold the mirror while removing the final nut. Holding the mirror will keep you from dropping and scratching (or smashing) it, thus saving you money. However, if the mirror is stuck, you'll have to break its hold by taking off the weather strippig and rubber pad.

Step 8: Determine if the mirror will come off or not after the last nut is removed, since the foam rubber padded protection and weather stripping can hold it in place regardless. If you have to, get some helping hands to hold the mirror for you.

Step 9: Install the mirror, thread the nuts, and tighten them with your ratchet, socket, and extension. Avoid over-tightening the mirror studs. Manual mirrors require lining up the mirror direction handle as well by removing the handle, installing the mirror and sleeve, and reinstalling the handle.

Step 10: Plug the wire harness into the mirror plug and tuck it inside the door cavity. You should also test the power on the mirror before closing everything up to see if it's working or not. Replace the molding and snap it into place.