Peel off the rear view mirror from the windshield

March 17, 2021

Car owners often need to remove the interior rear view mirror. Such a need may arise if it breaks and the windshield is replaced.

The mirror is removed together with the holder bracket. It is very difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to detach its base - a nickel - without damaging the glass surface. This part is dismantled very rarely, mainly when replacing glass.

Removing a mirror often ends in trouble - the car's upholstery is damaged, the plastic breaks. The windshield may crack or shatter, causing injury.

How to do this kind of work without problems?

Removing the outer and inner rear view mirrors

Rear view mirrors are an integral part of the car. Even those drivers who have equipped their “swallow” with a monitor or camera cannot do without mirrors. Therefore, keeping them in good condition is the primary task of every car owner. Before moving on to the procedure for dismantling the mirrors, we will list the tools that we will need for the job.

Tools required for dismantling

Phillips screwdriver;
flat blade screwdriver.

How to disassemble an external mirror

It is advisable to dismantle the exterior mirrors in a certain sequence.

Using a screwdriver, remove the locking bracket to which the mirror angle adjuster is attached.

The side mirror retaining bracket is removed using a Phillips screwdriver.
Use the same screwdriver to remove the fastening screws. There are only three of them. Be sure to hold the mirror while removing these screws.

The screws holding the side mirror are unscrewed with a Phillips screwdriver
After removing the screws, the mirror is removed. To do this, you need to slightly pull it towards you.

After removing the screws, the mirror is removed manually

How to properly remove the interior mirror

Changing the rear view mirror in the cabin is a little more difficult. Work must be carried out in the following sequence:

The plastic plugs above the interior mirror mounting screws are carefully pryed off with a flat screwdriver and removed.
The mounting screws are unscrewed with a Phillips screwdriver.

The mounting screws for the interior mirror are unscrewed with a Phillips screwdriver.
The mirror is carefully removed.

How to remove a mirror from a windshield

Dismantling a glued mirror does not require any special skills. Proceed as follows:

In some modern cars, the bracket with the interior rear view mirror is glued directly to the windshield. To remove it, you must remove all plastic plugs from the bracket (if any).
After this, the mirror is turned counterclockwise with both hands and removed from the socket.

The glued mirror rotates 90 degrees and is removed manually

Foreign and domestic cars: mounting the rear view mirror

Many domestic cars produced before 2010 are not particularly difficult to mount a rear view mirror. To understand how to remove a mirror from the windshield, just carefully examine the design:

there are a couple of bolts closed with plugs;
the plugs are removed, then the bolts need to be unscrewed;
after unscrewing, you can remove the mirror from the windshield;
Additionally, it may be necessary to degrease the mirror mounting area;
After performing repairs or other manipulations, you will need to tighten the bolts (the main thing is not to move the “patch” on the windshield).

As for foreign cars, in this case it is more difficult to remove the mirror, since it will require a lot of effort and accuracy. It is important not to put pressure on the glass itself, and also not to damage the mirror. The dismantling process is as follows:

the mirror mounts have plugs that will need to be removed;
then the mirror is pulled up (towards the ceiling);
care must be taken not to break the fastening or damage the ceiling in the cabin;

Also, foreign cars often use a separate rear-view mirror lock in the form of a latch or “step” (lever). In any case, by pressing the lock, the mirror can be removed from the bracket.

In any case, having removed the element from the car, you can then disassemble the rear view mirror, replace the mirror element, carry out repairs, install additional equipment, etc.

At the same time, repairing mirrors after removal is not difficult, since after disassembling the case, access to all elements opens. The only caveat is that you need to know how to disassemble the rear view mirror. To do this, it is recommended to separately study the design on a specific car model.

Disassembling rear view mirrors

The procedure below applies to both exterior and interior mirrors.

The mirror is removed from its regular place.
Use your hand to gently press the top edge of the mirror glass until it unrolls.

Side mirror mirror element rotates manually
A piece of rag or napkin is placed in the gap that appears between the mirror body and the glass.
Then a flat-head screwdriver, pre-wrapped with electrical tape, is inserted into this gap.

The latches holding the mirror element are bent with a flat screwdriver
The latches holding the mirror are pryed with a screwdriver and removed from the protrusions.
The mirror glass is carefully removed.

The left mirror is dismantled in the same way as the right one.

How to glue a car mirror to the windshield

First we need to decide on the glue that we are going to use.

What glue should I use?

The main rule: the glue holding the interior mirror to the windshield must be two-component. Yes, there are many varieties of all-purpose glue. But in this case, universal glue will not work. The fact is that two-component glue perfectly withstands sudden temperature changes, high humidity, and most importantly, vibration. Conclusion: the mirror element should not be glued with universal glue.

There is a second option: use light-curing glue. This is a substance that quickly “sets” when exposed to sunlight. This glue can be purchased at specialized auto stores. But it has a serious drawback: to work with it, a powerful ultraviolet lamp is required, without which reliable bonding cannot be achieved. Some car enthusiasts claim that you can do without it, just sticking the mirror on a sunny summer day is enough. But such gluing cannot be called reliable.

The conclusion is simple: the best and least troublesome option for gluing a mirror is two-component glue. For example, Loctite 37438, which has become incredibly popular recently. By the way, it is sometimes used to glue DVRs that have a loose fastening device.

How to attach a mirror element

To keep the mirror securely on the windshield, you must follow the following algorithm:

Select the location for installing the mirror. It should be glued in the center of the glass, at the same distance from both the passenger and the driver.
The windshield is cleaned of dirt. First, this is done with a rag, then the surface of the glass is wiped with alcohol.
The mirror is disassembled as indicated above (after all, in fact, only the bracket on which the mirror will be installed needs to be glued to the glass).
A thin layer of glue is applied to the bracket and to the windshield. After this, you must wait at least 15 seconds.

Glue is applied to the interior mirror bracket
Then the bracket is installed on the windshield and lightly pressed down manually (and if you decide to install the mirror entirely, without disassembling, then after installation it must be additionally secured with tape, which will support the mirror until the glue sets).

The interior mirror is glued to the windshield
The glue must dry properly, so you cannot drive the car for 24 hours.

Installing a mirror on glass: how to glue it

To attach the mirror to the windshield, you need to properly prepare the surfaces and select the adhesive. The installation site should be degreased (alcohol will do). The patch on the bracket is also cleaned and degreased.

Regarding the adhesive base, there are different types of glue:

chemically or light-curing adhesive base;
adhesive compositions based on epoxy resins.

At the same time, not all types of glue can be used to mount the interior mirror mounting bracket on the glass. Please note that you cannot use glue, superglue, double-sided tape, etc.

The fact is that these types of glue and tape are not designed for high temperatures. After the windshield warms up in the sun, the rear view mirror will simply disappear.

How to glue a mirror in the salon

To attach the interior mirror, it is optimal to use glue that hardens under the influence of chemicals. This adhesive base can be two-phase (the adhesive must be treated with an activator after application) or active single-phase.

Epoxy glue also holds well, but takes a long time to dry and requires strong pressure on the surfaces being glued. In the case of a salon mirror, this option will not work.

We also recommend reading the article on how to clean the air conditioner in your car yourself. From this article you will learn how to clean a car air conditioner yourself, how to clean the air conditioner in a car, etc.

In turn, glue that hardens when exposed to light will also not be effective without a special lamp. The reason is that it hardens in ultraviolet light, while sunlight or artificial lighting does not affect the gluing process.

Installing a rear view mirror on glass

After selecting the glue, you can proceed to installing the bracket. All work must be carried out at a temperature of about +20 degrees Celsius.

The mirror holder is cleaned of old glue, the gluing area must also be roughened using fine sandpaper and degreased;
The place where the holder is attached to the glass is processed in a similar way;
Apply a small layer of glue to the mount;
An activator is applied to the windshield at the gluing site;
During gluing, you need to accurately hit the mounting pad on the holder at the place where the activator is applied;
Apply slight pressure on the gluing point for the time specified in the instructions for the adhesive;
After gluing, it is necessary to remove any remaining adhesive or activator from the glass and holder using a degreasing agent.
It is better to install the mirror on the holder one day after gluing the bracket.

We also add that it is not advisable to park the car in the open sun or leave it in the cold for 2-3 days so that the glue dries normally and does not suffer from severe temperature changes.

You should also avoid for several days the stress that the mirror on the windshield is usually subjected to (after gluing, do not touch it with your hands, do not adjust the mirror with great force, etc.).

How to install and secure heated side mirrors

To assemble and connect the side mirrors yourself, you will need minimal electrical knowledge and dexterity. You must act in the following sequence:

A set of mirrors equipped with an internal heating system is purchased.

Heated mirrors for Lada Granta
The standard side mirrors are removed from the car in the manner described above.
After installation, the top cover on the side mirror housing opens. This gives access to the wiring socket (it is supplied with the mirrors).

The side mirror housing is opened and the electrical wiring is connected.
The wires are connected to the socket and inserted into the door through the mirror housing.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the plastic trim from the door.

Plastic trim removed from car door
The wiring runs through the door and dashboard to the fuse box, next to which there is a relay with a plug for turning on the heated mirrors.

Mirror wiring is connected to the heating relay
The wiring plug is connected to the socket shown in the photo, after which the car door trim is reassembled.

Common device problems

Let's look at a few troubles that every car enthusiast may encounter.

Peeling off the mirror surface

Sometimes this kind of trouble happens even on new cars. The reasons can be very different.

the manufacturer decided to save money and used a low-quality adhesive;
during the work, the master did not allow the glue to set properly;
the mirror came unstuck due to too sudden temperature changes (and this is the most common reason, especially in frosty winter).

In all these cases, the car owner will have to use two-component glue, as shown above.

Glass replacement procedure

The mirror element of both the exterior and interior mirrors may be damaged. Below is the sequence for replacing it:

The glass is removed from the mirror body.
The new mirror element has several plastic hooks (in our example there are 4). These hooks are inserted into the mounting holes in the mirror body, after which you need to press very carefully on the mirror element.

The new mirror element is installed into the mirror housing manually
A characteristic click will be heard, indicating that the plastic hooks have engaged and the glass has “settled” into place.

The procedure for replacing mirror elements in interior mirrors is similar to that given above (the only difference is that there are usually 2 plastic latches in the interior mirror, not 4).

Video: how to assemble and change the mirror element

Rear view mirrors can cause car owners a lot of trouble. But fortunately, most of these problems can be solved on their own. Removing and securing the mirror element can be done on your own. The main thing is to act as carefully as possible and do not forget that glass is an extremely fragile material.

The circumstances in which you will need to remove your rear view mirrors can vary. For example, repairing or replacing cracked glass, purchasing new modified models, and even regular window tinting. In addition, you can install a heater in your car, as well as a monitor and a rear view camera. Removing a damaged mirror, disassembling it and gluing a new one with your own hands is not so difficult, as is installing devices more convenient than a regular reflector. To do this, arm yourself with your machine's operating manual and our instructions.

How to remove a rear view mirror

Mirrors of this type are designed to study the situation on the road behind the car. They can be divided into two categories:

salon - installed inside the car;
side - located on both sides on the front door pillars.

The interior mirror is located inside the car

side mirrors are located on both sides of the car

It seems that it could be easier than dismantling the mirror? In fact, this is not so easy to do, and the principle of dismantling can vary significantly between different brands and models. We will tell you about the most universal methods of removing, disassembling and installing internal and external ones. However, if any of the methods described here do not work for you, check your machine's owner's manual. Today, many automobile companies make all such processes much easier: perhaps, instead of unscrewing bolts and bending terminals, you only need to press a small button or pedal.

Required Tools

In order to remove the mirror, you do not need any specific or hard-to-reach tools. As a rule, everything you need can be found in any motorist’s garage.

a set of screwdrivers (most likely, only figured and flat ones will be useful);
wrench depending on the size of the bolts;
household hair dryer for removing the mirror element.

Add to this set skillful hands and the desire to do everything efficiently, and you can get down to business.

Mirror removal process

Salon

Interior mirrors can be installed in a variety of ways depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. There are two methods that are used most often.

Installation into the car ceiling using bolts or self-tapping screws.
On the windshield using glue or suction cups.

Thus, on many domestic cars the assistant device is installed using ordinary bolts, which greatly simplifies the dismantling process. To do this, you just need to unscrew the bolts after removing the plug.

in order to remove such a mirror, you just need to unscrew the bolts

The situation can become more complicated if the mirror is mounted on a bracket glued to the glass. First of all, check whether it is possible to separate the bracket itself and the platform glued to the glass. On most cars, they are separated by moving the clamps or turning in a certain direction.

If this is not possible, you will have to resort to a radical method and remove the bracket along with the windshield. The fact is that the glue holds the elements very firmly, so when you try to separate the mirror, you may accidentally damage the glass.

Before you begin this process, take a look at your vehicle's manual: it should detail the process of removing certain components. Remember that buying a new windshield will cost you a lot.

You most likely will not be able to separate the bracket platform from the mirror on your own, so it is better not to risk it and contact a special salon. Especially if you are dismantling it for future tinting. However, if you decide to do it yourself, be prepared that a trace of glue will remain on the glass.

Disassembling the rear view mirror

Salon

In order to disassemble the internal, you will need special picks and push-ups. The case is divided according to the same principle as a mobile phone or control panel to replace the battery.

Find the junction of the body and the mirror part.
Insert the wringer into this area and press firmly. A gap should form on the housing.
Carefully walk the pick along the entire gap and divide the body into two parts.
Remove the mirror. All the elements you need will be located under it.

Disassembly process on video

Lateral

Once you have separated the side mirror housing from the car body, it should be disassembled. First of all, you need to remove the mirror element. This process may not be the same for different brands, however, the following procedure is most often used.

Use a regular household hairdryer to thoroughly heat the junction of the reflective element with the body. The temperature of the air flow should not be too high, so a technical hair dryer will not work here.
Using a flat-blade screwdriver or a small spatula, pry the mirror away from the housing. On some models, at this stage you need to bend the terminals. To avoid damaging the glass, you can wrap a screwdriver or spatula with electrical tape or a soft cloth.
In some designs, to separate it, you need to lightly press it in the center and, as it were, push it to the side. After this, the reflective element can be removed with careful movements.
Then remove the center screw from the plastic frame (if equipped).
All side mirror mechanisms are located under the frame. Using a screwdriver, you can unscrew any of them and put them in place. You can independently divide the structure into all its component parts, including adjustment and folding motors.

Video: process of disassembling the side mirror

The mirror is assembled in the same way, but in reverse order.

Disassembly procedure

Once the structure has been removed, disassembly can begin. If it is required, of course. Perhaps you have found a new mirror whose price suits you completely. Then you can skip this point.

If it is necessary to disassemble an element, we start from whether it is internal or external.

The interior mirror is disassembled as follows:

there is a place where the glass and the body are connected;
spin is inserted;
pressed with little force;
a gap appears;
use a mediator to pass along the entire length of the gap;
the body is divided into 2 parts;
the mirror is removed;
everything else is located underneath it;
We carry out the necessary work.

You may also need to disassemble the car side mirror. It doesn't matter whether it's left or right.

Using a hairdryer, the area between the case and the glass is heated;
Do not heat to high temperature. Use a household hair dryer on medium power;
Use a flat-head screwdriver to separate the body into 2 parts;
Sometimes it is necessary to bend the terminals;
If you are afraid of damaging the mirror, wrap the instrument with electrical tape;
On some cars you need to slightly press the mirror to the center and move it to the side;
The glass is carefully removed;
Remove the screw from the plastic frame, if there is one;
Under the frame we see the entire mechanism;
Use a screwdriver to remove the broken structure and replace it with a new one.

That's it, the work is almost completed. But since we disassembled everything and changed the necessary components, now we need to assemble the structure and install it back on the car.

How to secure and how to glue a new one

If you have successfully dismantled the mirror yourself, then returning it back will not be difficult. As a rule, all actions are performed in reverse order.

But you should pay special attention to the selection of glue, since not everyone is suitable for this process.

it is necessary to choose the right adhesive for attaching the mirror to the windshield

Glue selection

There are three types of compositions for gluing mirrors:

chemically cured;
light-curing;
compositions based on epoxy resin.

A composition with resins will work well only if it is allowed to dry properly. This usually takes from 10 hours to a day. In this case, the part must be pressed tightly at all times. This approach is not very convenient, so such products are not used in everyday life.

Light-curing mixtures operate when exposed to special ultraviolet lamps. This is one of the most common methods in production. However, if you are not the happy owner of a lamp, you should not purchase such a composition. Sunlight, especially diffused light, is not able to have a sufficient effect.

For these reasons, chemically cured compounds are the most popular. A special hardener starts the polymerization process. As a rule, they consist of the glue itself and an aerosol activator, although one-component compositions are also found.

Please note that some materials cannot be used to glue the mirror.

household superglue;
double-sided adhesive tape.

The adhesive component of both materials has such a composition that when used on glass or metal, it will not be able to harden completely. High air temperature inside the cabin or heating of the glass from sunlight will soften it and the mirror will fall off. You can use household adhesives only if the mirror fell completely unexpectedly, and now you need to urgently get to a car service center.

I tried it with superglue three times. I confirm: it doesn’t last more than a week.

Max

https://homo-habilis.ru/v-garazhe/223-chem-prikleit-zerkalo-zadnego-vida-v-avtomobile

How to stick to windshield

Having selected the appropriate glue, you can begin returning the rear view mirror to its rightful place. Choose a warm day for this or install a heater in the garage: the air temperature should be between 20 and 25 ° C.

process of applying glue to the holder platform

Clean the holder platform of any old adhesive residue.
Lightly sand the surface of the holder to improve the adhesion effect.
In the same way, sand the area of the windshield where it is glued.
Degrease the holder and glass area.
Apply a thin layer of glue to the holder.
Spray a special activator onto the place where the part is attached.
Place the adhesive side of the part onto the glass. Try to follow the trail left from the previous time.
Press the mirror firmly against the glass and hold for the time indicated on the package.
After making sure that the part is firmly in place, clean the mirror from any remaining activator and glue around the holder.
Reinstall the windshield (if you removed it) according to the owner's manual.

Ready! If you followed all the instructions carefully, the mirror looks like it was installed at the factory or at least in a car repair shop.

Be extremely careful and attentive! A crookedly glued mirror cannot be moved, so you will have to start the whole process all over again.

How to install on bracket

If during dismantling you did not separate the bracket platform from the glass, it will be even easier to assemble it. To do this, find a fixing element: it may be a screw or a latch. After this, connect the bracket leg to the platform.

There are also special brackets that are not glued to the glass, but are installed on the ceiling or other elements of the car, for example, on sun visors.

Recommendations

If the mirror holder is glued to the glass with epoxy glue (rubber), this glue is simply heated and the coin is gradually torn off from the glass.
If the penny is held on by glass glue, in this case the adhesive base is cut off with a string. When heating the windshield at the mounting location with a hairdryer, it is important to remember that the glass is fragile. Strong heating or sudden temperature changes should not be allowed, especially at one point.
Experts recommend turning on the glass heating to warm it over the entire surface, and only then heating the place where the mirror is attached.
When working with glue, it is important to be careful and accurate.
Also, mistakes are not allowed when gluing, since it will not be possible to move the holder after the glue has hardened. We also recommend reading the article on how to remove a car radio without keys. From this article you will learn about available methods for removing a car radio without a key.
Before removing the rear view mirror, it is important to make sure that various devices and elements are not connected to it: cameras, video recorders, parking sensors, light and temperature sensors in the cabin, etc. Errors during dismantling can lead to breakdowns and malfunctions of such devices.

Installation of mirrors with additional functions

Modern devices not only reflect, but also have a number of additional functions. You can equip them with heating, or even install a camera with a monitor.

Heated

The heating function is very convenient for external side mirrors, since thanks to it they will not fog up in high humidity and will not become covered with a crust of ice in frosty weather.

The heating element in the mirrors will help prevent fogging and icing

The heating device consists of the following parts:

a heating element;
wiring for a 12V system;

There are both separate heaters and mirrors themselves with a built-in element on sale. Both are quite easy to install. To do this, you must perform the following steps.

Remove the door trim.
Remove the side mirrors according to the instructions.
Thread the wires through the side of the door and out to the outside mirrors.
Remove the reflective element after preheating the junction with the body.
Remove the screw and remove the frame (if equipped).
Pull the wires through the frame body, strip the ends and install the connectors.
Put the frame back in place and route the wires through it.
Connect the wires to the contacts of the heating element and install it.
Put the mirror back in place and put the entire structure back together.
Connect the part of the wire that is located inside the passenger compartment to the heated rear window relay.
Check the functionality of the mechanism.

Reassembly

I will say right away that the assembly is carried out simply in the reverse order of the previously carried out dismantling work. Therefore, I see no point in talking about this separately.

With mirrors on special mounting brackets, everything is also extremely simple. All that remains is to tighten the fasteners and fix the mirror on the ceiling or side of the car.

But what’s really more difficult is gluing a car mirror. To begin, choose the appropriate composition. Household superglue or double-sided adhesive tape will not work. Tested by many car owners. It's better to ask for the appropriate adhesive at an auto parts store. If found, for gluing you need:

choose a warm and sunny day without high humidity;
create a temperature in the garage of 25-27 degrees;
remove all dirt and traces of old glue from the body;
walk a little along the joint with sandpaper;
sand the gluing area on the mirror;
degrease all surfaces;
Apply the required thin layer of glue to the holder;
spray the purchased activator on the fastening area;
attach the glass to the surface;
press the mirror to the glass;
keep as long as the glue manufacturer said;
remove the remnants of the used activator and glue from your mirror and also the holder itself;
put the entire structure in its rightful place;
use as intended.

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Possible malfunctions and their elimination

After independently dismantling, disassembling and installing a modified mirror, some problems may arise. Very often, incorrectly glued mirrors fall off at the most unexpected moment, which can lead to an accident.

What to do if the mirror comes off

The interior mirror may fall off due to physical impact or on its own. The main reason that the structure with the bracket does not stay in place is the wrong glue. If you chose epoxy, the platform holder was probably not locked in one position long enough. The same problem could occur if you used a light-curing product without special UV lamps. Household glue will also not give a good result: temperature changes and active vibrations of the car can lead to the mirror coming off while driving.

To fix this, the structure must be returned to its place and glue with a chemical hardener must be used.

Sometimes the platform with the bracket may fall off along with a piece of glass. This means that microcracks have already formed in it, which can spread throughout the rest of the glass. In this case, contact a car service: specialists will be able to carry out diagnostics and tell you how necessary it is to replace the windshield.

Nowadays you can find brackets with special suction cups on sale. They don't hold as tightly as the adhesive ones, but you can remove them and put them back in place repeatedly without fear of damaging your windshield.

What to do if it's cracked

A cracked mirror can cause a lot of inconvenience to a car owner. A serious crack can distort the image, and therefore make it difficult to assess the real distance to the object behind. This problem can occur in both the interior and side mirrors. Most often this happens during improper dismantling or installation. Although the reasons may be different: for example, a sharp pebble flying out from under the wheels, careless owners of neighboring cars, and even ordinary hooligans.

Be that as it may, the reflective element should be replaced. To do this, carefully remove the mirror from the housing and install a new one. Carefully follow the instructions for disassembling and reassembling the part. If you are not sure of your actions or are afraid of damaging the element again, contact a specialized workshop. The mirror replacement service does not cost very much, but it will help save you nerves and money on unsuccessful attempts.

How to remove the mirror mount from the windshield

After removing the mirror, the place for its attachment remains on the glass - a glued plate or a metal part - a nickel. It is rarely removed, but sometimes you have to do it, for example, if you need to move the entire structure to new glass. Sometimes the base is dismantled due to breakage of the fasteners to which the mirror is attached.

Attempting to remove the glued part using sharp objects will not lead to anything good. You can damage the glass, roof trim and even get seriously injured.

The nickel is removed using a hair dryer. Hot air heats up and softens the glue that glues this part, so the overlay can be removed. If the base of the mirror does not separate on its own, it is sawed off with a thin string. Then, using acetone, the area is cleaned of any glue residue.

The procedure for withdrawing a nickel is extremely risky and unprofitable. In any auto glass workshop, craftsmen will do this quickly, accurately and inexpensively. Therefore, it is better to immediately contact specialists.

If you need to remove the mirror to replace the windshield, it is better to also contact a car service center. The craftsmen will carry out all the necessary work themselves, and the car owner will not put the car and his health at risk.