Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Jim82]

Had a minor collision the other day and destroyed the wing mirror of a parked Astra with my Omega mirror.  What struck me as odd was that the mirror didn't fold back on impact as you would expect. Is this a common problem? Has something rusted/seized inside the mirror?

I gave both mirrors a shove and couldn't get them to budge at all.  Anyone experienced this before and know how to fix?

Also an hour or so prior to this in an unrelated incident my mirror glass randomly dropped out of the mirror and smashed when I closed the door!  Any ideas where to get a new glass? I think halfords used to have them but not sure if they'd still be able to get hold of one these days..

[Lizzie Zoom]

My mirrors do fold in when I want them to without any real effort.  However, they are fairly solid things that certainly will break other mirrors that come into contact with them, or will break themselves if they come into contact with my garage door frame!!!

I have replaced the outer casing of the door mirror unit a few times, and once the glass with units bought online from scrap dealers. This must be the only way to find them now as the new parts dried up ages ago.

[Andy B]

I suspect that a mirror glass is dealer only, the glass that Halfords sold will likely be been have the type that you stick on over the remnants of the original glass.

[dave the builder]

Plenty of new mirror glass replacements and used complete mirror assemblies on ebay   

[Jim82]

I have managed to find a mirror glass on ebay  - it's the type that sticks onto the original glass but I still have the plastic backing (even though the glass fell out) so it should stick onto that ok I reckon. 

[dave the builder]

Did you get a heated one ? or retain the heater from the old glass 
it will be getting cold soon 

[Jim82]

Did you get a heated one ? or retain the heater from the old glass 
it will be getting cold soon 

Just the glass, but I assume the heated part is in the plastic backing which I still have on the car?

[Doctor Gollum]

The heated pad is bonded between the mirror and backing plate.

As Dave says, you can get a pair of complete mirrors for less than £40.

The glass falling off and apparently inability to fold the mirrors manually suggests previous bodgery. May as well fix it properly. The colour is irrelevant as the casings simply unclip.

[Jim82]

The heated pad is bonded between the mirror and backing plate.

As Dave says, you can get a pair of complete mirrors for less than £40.

The glass falling off and apparently inability to fold the mirrors manually suggests previous bodgery. May as well fix it properly. The colour is irrelevant as the casings simply unclip.

That's useful information about the casings unclipping - thanks.  I am going to replace the glass as it's the quickest option and I'm missing having the passenger mirror more than I would if it was a smaller car. I'll try and get a new pair of mirrors and fix it properly when I've got a bit of time. MOT is coming up soon so I may have more pressing issues (although last year it only needed 2 drop links!).

[TheBoy]

If you catch a mirror, you often do break them before they fold in, just from the impact.  If you haven't manually folded them for a long time, they can partially seize in that position.

As others have said, best bet ts replace the mirror entirely (note Elite mirrors need to come from an Elite donor due to memory function) from some from a breaker/ebay etc.

Dead easy to change, 3 bolts behind the triangular section, but I seem to recall the doorcard has to come off for some reason that escapes me now.

[johnnydog]

If you want to avoid causing minor damage to the top edge of the door card, then yes, it's preferable to remove the door card to gain clear access to the mounting fittings

[Doctor Gollum]

There's enough give in the door card that it self heals.

Place the tip of the screw driver in the screw head and push the screwdriver against the door card until it sits correctly in the screw

It can be beneficial to remove the two hidden screws (behind caps)on the front edge of the door card as that will allow a bit more movement. And use a magnetic screwdriver.

[Jim82]

If you catch a mirror, you often do break them before they fold in, just from the impact.  If you haven't manually folded them for a long time, they can partially seize in that position.

As others have said, best bet ts replace the mirror entirely (note Elite mirrors need to come from an Elite donor due to memory function) from some from a breaker/ebay etc.

Dead easy to change, 3 bolts behind the triangular section, but I seem to recall the doorcard has to come off for some reason that escapes me now.

Just to point out that although the other car's mirror was in pieces, the only damage to the Omega mirror was a bit of a scratch. Built like a tank!