Side mirror (glass only) replacement

Can this be done or do you have to replace the whole assembly?

 

When my mirrors broke I went around to a few places to see how much the mirror only would be and they quoted me $50 - $70 at some places. I thought that was crazy. So I went to home depo and got some 12x12 mirrors for $10 and a glass cutter and carefully trimmed my own out and then used a grinding wheel to smooth the edges. Then used some good double sided tape to stick them into the mirror housings. They aren't perfect, but it can be done for cheap and they work fine.

 

Thanks...So you just need some adhesive or tape to apply the new glass to the old backing plate?

 

Yeah, I used that 3M double sided tape that you can get at autozone. They have been on for 3+ years now.

 

you can buy the side mirror glass for like $12 from Amazon or other online store and it comes with double sided tape.

 

http://mirrorglassplus.com/

Making your own mirror might work on the driver side, but the convex mirror ("objects in the mirror are closer than they appear") on the passenger side requires a specialty convex mirror.

also, Google Search "how to remove side mirror glass from housing" reveals several how to videos.

Many sites suggest just adhering the new mirror right over the old, cracked mirror.

Before you adhere the replacement mirror, assure that the backing plate is tight and that vibration doesn't easily put the mirror out of adjustment. In my case, tightening the housing required complete removal of the old mirror which could not be done without breaking the old mirror. See post #10 at https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rror-in-ball-and-socket.600888/#post-20261951

For a $7 "hack" that works as well as expensive, newer, hi-tech, radar based "Lane Change Assist" see https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...irrors-approx-3-50-each.563787/#post-18492368

Good Luck