How to Replace the Rearview Mirror in Vehicles

When the rearview mirror in your Vehicles finally gives in to the beating that the sun has been giving it over the last few years and plummets to the floor of the car, it's vital to replace it in a timely manner. If not, then you risk being ticketed by law enforcement, and you increase your chances of an accident. Many people take this repair to a garage or dealership and pay much more than it costs to repair it Vehicles home.

Under The Hood:

• How to Replace the Rearview Mirror in a Chevy Aveo
• How to Replace a Rearview Mirror on a Corolla
• How to Replace a Rear-view Mirror on 98 Chevrolet S10

 How to Replace the Rearview Mirror in a Chevy Aveo

Park your Chevy Aveo in the shade to allow the windshield to cool down. Adhesive will not properly adhere to a hot windshield. If shade is not available, then wait for the evening, when the windshield has had time to cool off.

Scrape any adhesive from the windshield with a flat razor blade. If it does not come off easily, then wet the adhesive with an alcohol pad and scrape again with the razor blade.

Scrape adhesive off of the windshield mounting bracket that is connected to the rear view window. Use a razor blade to scrape it clean. If the adhesive does not come off easily, then wet the adhesive with an alcohol pad and scrape again with the razor blade.

Remove the windshield mounting bracket that is connected to the rear view mirror, using an Allen wrench. Place the rearview mirror off to the side. It will not be used again until the mounting bracket has been placed back on the windshield.

Clean both the mounting location on the windshield and the rearview mirror mounting bracket with an alcohol pad. This will ensure that neither mounting surface has any grease or adhesive residue left.

Apply a small amount of adhesive to the back of the mounting bracket and place the bracket on the glass. Refer to the instructions on the adhesive container for drying times, as these times vary by manufacturer.

Mount the rearview mirror to the mounting bracket by tightening the Allen screw down, and adjust the mirror to the desired position.

 How to Replace a Rearview Mirror on a Corolla

Disconnect the wire harness from the base of the mirror. The harness has a small tab in its center. Pry the tab up and pull the connecting ends apart. If you have a base Corolla that does not have a built-in compass, skip this step.

Remove the T8 Torx screw that secures the stem of the mirror to the window button glued to the windshield.

Slide the stem of the mirror up to remove it from the window button.

Slide the replacement mirror onto the button and secure it into place with the T8 Torx screw.

Reconnect the wire harness and press the small tab back down to prevent the two pieces from separating.

 How to Replace a Rear-view Mirror on 98 Chevrolet S10

Installation

Use a measuring tape to measure across the width of the windshield from the outside. The bottom of the windshield is wider than the top, so measure across the center. Use a black grease pencil to place a small vertical line on both sides of the measuring tape at the windshield's half-way point.

Place a yardstick vertically on the windshield slightly left of the two lines. Hold the yardstick firmly in place. Start at the bottom of the windshield and draw a line with the grease pencil all the way up to the roof.

Draw a second line before the yardstick’s removed that measures exactly 21 inches up the windshield. The second line should horizontally cross the first line on the windshield. The center of the two crossing lines marks the mounting position of the rear-view mirror.

Remove any leftover adhesive from the inside of the windshield with a razor blade. Wash the entire interior side of the windshield and properly dry it with a towel. Pour rubbing alcohol on a clean, new towel and wipe down the area where the rear-view mirror will be mounted.

Rip off a small piece of 320-grit sandpaper and sand the windshield lightly where the mirror will sit. Only sand a quarter-sized area on the windshield around the two intersecting grease-pencil lines. Wipe down the sanded area with rubbing alcohol.

Clean off any residue on the mirror’s mounting plate. Wipe it down with rubbing alcohol as well.

Apply a dime-sized amount of rear-view mirror adhesive on the mounting plate. Place the mounting plate into position on the windshield at the center of the two lines. The rounded side of the mounting plate should face upward. Hold the mounting plate firmly in position for 90 seconds before letting it go. Allow the adhesive to dry undisturbed for 45 minutes. Slide the mirror back on the mounting plate and secure it with its retaining screw.