Can I Just Replace My Side Mirror Glass?

Can I Just Replace My Side Mirror Glass?

When faced with busted side mirror glass, many car owners ask themselves if they can just replace the side mirror glass instead of replacing the entire side mirror assembly. The answer is often yes. If the glass is the only part of the side mirror assembly that's broken, then it's a smart move to replace only the glass rather than the entire assembly.

The biggest reason you should consider replacing only the side mirror glass is because it's the far cheaper option. A full side mirror assembly can cost over $450 while the side mirror glass only costs about $70 (or $25 at Riobbon).

Replacing only the glass takes less time, too, which translates to either lower labor costs (if you hire someone to do it for you) or less time spent on the project (if you do it yourself). Speaking of doing it yourself, replacing the side mirror glass is pretty easy. 

How to Replace Your Side Mirror Glass

1. Find replacement OEM side mirror glass from either your local dealer or a reputable authorized online retailer (like Riobbon).
2. Cover the broken glass in the old mirror with masking tape or duct tape. This helps protect your hands when you remove the mirror, and saves you trouble of sweeping up the broken glass later.
3. Tilt the mirror all the way down and adjust it side to side to create the most space for your fingers. Put your fingers behind the broken mirror and pull the tab(s) to disconnect it. (Refer to the new mirror to see where the tabs are).
4. Align the mounting tabs on the new mirror with their matching receptacles on the mirror control mechanism. Gently push the new mirror in and make sure it clicks in place. This does not take a lot of force.
5. If you have power mirrors, test the mirror with the controls inside the vehicle to make sure it's working properly.

That's all. It's an easy and straightforward process that takes about ten minutes.