How do you remove and replace the glass mirror from the backing plate of the side passenger mirror on a 2002 Honda Accord?

Answer 1

REPLACING SIDE VIEW MIRROR GLASS ON 1999 Honda ACCORD.

(1998-2002 should use the same procedure)

Fist of all, I am not responsible for any damages incurred while following my suggestions, however I just performed this repair about half an hour ago, and everything turned out ok. I called Honda, and they told me how to do it, I did it, and know I am passing it on to you guys. Good luck.

all Right... My mirror broke so removing it was not a problem since concern of damage to the glass was not a factor, however, the way the glass (along with its plastic cover on the back) comes out, and snaps in is by the use of pressure. Amazingly these weak looking mirrors can take more pressure than it appears they can take.

How to put it in:

They snap in from three places:

a. A big circle in the middle (same function of a ball joint, except that it is not a complete ball)

b. one small ball joint in the back upper part of the mirror

c. one small ball joint in one of the sides in the back of the mirror. my mirror was the right one, so the side ball joint was towards left.

PUTTING THE NEW SIDE VIEW MIRROR GLASS ON

1. The first thing I did was to oil the three joints where this thing was to snap using 3-in-1 oil. you can use WD-40 or just motor oil.

2. Then, with the electric control from the driver's door and with someone holding the tip of the ball joints in the actuator, retract BOTH ball joints as far in as they go.

3. Now the step that hurts follows: Hold the mirror still, align the center circle of the plastic thing in the back of the glass with that of the actuator, and use gentle pressure WITH THE OPEN PALM OF YOUR HAND on the outside of the glass part. Slowly increase the pressure to a not-so-gentle pressure until you hear and feel the thing SNAP! When this happens the mirror is in place.

4. To snap the actuator ball joints in place, starting by the top one, get someone to gently push the mirror on the top part as far in as it goes and hold gentle pressure, while the other person is pushing the electric control in the opposite direction. This will rotate the tip of the ball joints against the slots in the back of the mirror and the mirror will start pushing out; let it come out all the way.

5. Visually check that the protuberances in the tip of the ball joint align with the slots in the back of the mirror. If they do, then with gentle pressure start pushing in on the top of the mirror (remember we are doing the top first). You will hear a grinding noise as the mirror pushes in. When it pushes in no further, keep increasing pressure with the PALM OPEN more towards the top of the glass, and you will hear/feel it snap. This may take significant pressure. how do these things don't break??? I don't know.

The top ball joint must now be in place. Confirm by actuating the mirror from the electrical control up and down; If it moves in both directions, then the top joint is DONE!

6 . repeat steps 4 and 5 for the side ball joint, and the mirror should work and look like new.

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