How to replace driver side mirror glass?

[vjp]

Folks:
while backing out of my garage the other day, the driver-side mirror assembly touched the side of the garage door frame. Luckily, I was moving slow and stopped. The assembly had hinged back but was intact however the mirror glass had broken from the actuator assembly. The mirror did not crack.
I read somewhere that the mirror glass connects to the actuator with a ball and socket like joint, is this correct? It looks like to me that the "ball" broke off from the mirror glass and is still in the actuator "socket".

How can I remove the broken "ball" from the socket without causing further damage? I plan to replace the mirror but one side of me says maybe I can glue the ball back on to the mirror, probably should not do that, any suggestions?

If I get the replacement mirror, how do I install it correctly or do I have to take it to a mechanic?

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[jtvicknair]

I hate to be the bearer of bad new..... but the sounds like the same thing that happen to my Ford explorer's mirror a few years ago----
the piece that holds the mirror in place and makes it move from side to side.....................

I had to replace the whole mirror because Ford didn't sell the replace part for the inside of the mirror. I guess I could have gone to a junk yard and found the part I needed from a wrecked one.

I paid the dealer... over 250.00 for the whole side mirror when the part I needed probably only cost 1.00

[jay]

Originally posted by vjp
Folks:
while backing out of my garage the other day, the driver-side mirror assembly touched the side of the garage door frame. Luckily, I was moving slow and stopped. The assembly had hinged back but was intact however the mirror glass had broken from the actuator assembly. The mirror did not crack.
I read somewhere that the mirror glass connects to the actuator with a ball and socket like joint, is this correct? It looks like to me that the "ball" broke off from the mirror glass and is still in the actuator "socket".

How can I remove the broken "ball" from the socket without causing further damage? I plan to replace the mirror but one side of me says maybe I can glue the ball back on to the mirror, probably should not do that, any suggestions?

If I get the replacement mirror, how do I install it correctly or do I have to take it to a mechanic?

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Check out this web site. You may be able to order just what you need pretty inexpensively, based on the diagram and pricing at the web site.

[SteveLuman]

Here is how the mirror holder connects to the actuator.

[SteveLuman]

Here are the instructions for replacing the power mirror.

[SteveLuman]

...and last, but not least, the Mirror Holder replacement instructions. This diagram may help you the most. If you need the actuator replacement instructions, let me know.

[Pilot Owner]

Does anyone know if the side mirrors on a 2003 Pilot (U.S. Model) can be replaced with a heated side mirror like in the Canadian Model (and I have noticed that this is an option on th '04 EX-L U.S. model)? If so, where can one order from, how much does it cost, and how difficult is this job?

[vjp]

Folks:
Thanks for your responses.
Steve, from your instructions I think I just need to replace the mirror holder since the tabs that hold it onto the actuator plate seem to have broken off. ~$15 solution that I can do myself thanks!

[vjp]

Well I went to the dealer for a repair estimate on my broken mirror actuator plate.
The service guy I talked to said the whole housing had to be replaced! when I said "can't you just replace the actuator" since the housing is intact and so is the mirror glass and holder, he said "they don't sell it separately"! I knew that was not true because of help in this forum. When I talked to the parts guy he said he could order the actuator separately but for $58 (this is for a 2004 LX). Again I new for this forum that one can order these for around $36 over the internet. Then I went back to the service guy for a labour estimate, he said that would be $114 to replace the actuator. All these prices seem quite high to me. I realize I can order the part over the internet but are there any things I need to keep in mind when doing this? Then comes the replacement, I will probably attempt that myself, it does not seem that involved from the instructions Steve sent, but again I am novice (to say the least) at this sort of thing. Any suggestions?

[PatrickC1026]

Local dealers charge you more most of the time. However, one of the local Honda dealers in my area matches the internet price if I show them the print out. You might want to try too.

For installatiion, $114 is too much. I think it should take only one hour, two hours the most. Of course dealer's labor rate is very high. However, nothing can replace the satisfaction after you do it on your own.

[vjp]

Folks:
I did it. I replace the broken mirror actuator (actually only the actuator plate was broken). Getting the actuator from Arizona took some time (I live in NJ and opted for ground shipping). There was also some confusion with the color coding on the wires, the part I received had color coding for the passanger side, while I ordered the driver side actuator. I got it to work. The toughest part was getting the mirror holder onto the actuator plate. I did not want to apply too much pressure since the plate broke in the first place.

Anyhow it is repaired now. I am happy I did it myself. Thanks to everyone for the help with the manual pages and advice.

[SteveLuman]

Congrats,

What did it end up costing you to repair the mirror?

[vjp]

Steve:
Thanks for your help.
I spent ~$36 on the actuator and had to buy a star screwdriver key-set for ~$10. Getting the mirror holder on the actuator plate was the hardest part for me because I was worried it might break again at the joint.
vjp

[SteveLuman]

Originally posted by vjp
Steve:
Thanks for your help.
I spent ~$36 on the actuator and had to buy a star screwdriver key-set for ~$10. Getting the mirror holder on the actuator plate was the hardest part for me because I was worried it might break again at the joint.
vjp

Congrats...I think that $ 46.00 is much beter than the $ 172.00 your dealer wanted.

[vjp]

Yes:
It is much better.
And also a confidence builder.