how can i fix my detached side mirror? [PLEASE HELP!]

[churchdoesmatter]

while i was backing up my car (98 civic dx), my left side mirror accidentally hit the Mailbox =-O.. the left side mirror went flying into the sky =/ .. but the glass was not broken, just the left side mirror is detached from the car.. what are some ways i can fix it?? do you think i'll be able to do it with krazy glue? duct tape? .. or take it to a shop and let them detach it... how much do you think it will cost for them to attach it back.. (sedan and lever ) not electric

 

[db]

Is it broken or just unattached?

 

[churchdoesmatter]

the plastic thing inside is broken, it has screws inside too.. but i can still tape the mirror to teh car,b ut i dont think it will hold

 

[churchdoesmatter]

^^

 

[phatcow]

if those clips are broken, the mirror is broken..

you need a new mirror...



my moron friend did that to his camry with no breakaway mirrors... boy did we have fun driving to the junkyard

 

[Zenmervolt]

You will probably need to have the mirror replaced. Even if it can be attached again, it will probably not be adjustable after that.

ZV

 

[Pastfinder]

Krazy Glue might work, but if other aspects of the mechanism are busted, go to the dealer. Or go to a junkyard and just get the entire side mirror system and install it yourself, thus save some $$$

 

[db]

Unless you are mechanically inclined, you must have it fixed (since legally you must have a mirror on the left side). I really doubt that glue/epoxy will work.
Shop around to see what people will charge you to fix it.

 

[Thegonagle]

Damn it. Why did Honda stop building the Civics with folding mirrors? I notice the 98 Accord lacks folding mirrors, but they're back for 99. I guess a significant number of people complained about the lack of this essential feature.

I surprised by the number of people who can disassemble and rebuild a computer in their sleep and yet are scared of the simplest things on their cars.

Anyway, remove the triangular plastic piece that covers the inside of the door where the mirror attaches (use a small cloth covered screwdriver to carefully pry it off). You should see the screws that attach the base of the mirror to the car. Take that remaining part off the car and mix the epoxy. Glue them back together and let them set. Then reinstall in 24 hours. If it doesn't hold, try some different adhesives. This is really your only hope for not needing to buy a replacement. If it still doesn't hold, try junkyards (used parts) first, then call Napa (a long shot but some non OEM might make replacement mirrors for less) and then the dealership.

Good luck.

EDIT: Don't try to simply glue it back onto the car. It will never hold. Remove the remains of the mirror from the car (as if you were removing the entire mirror), repair it, and then reinstall the assembly after it has set for a good 24 hours.

 

[phatcow]

well i guess welcome to the minor sh1t that gets broken and you have to pay out your ass club...

 

[churchdoesmatter]

any price approximations??

 

[Thegonagle]

Nope, but I bet you have a phone and a phone book.

*I'm being a smart ass* Don't mind me.

 

[db]

Electric or lever?
Sedan, coupe, or hatchback?
How many doors?

 

[churchdoesmatter]

ok thanks

 

[churchdoesmatter]

LEVER and it's a SEDAN

 

[db]

Cheapest I've seen so far for used (so color is possible problem) is minimum $50. (BTW they show years '96-2000 fitting your car...)
I'll ck price for new....

New is from $76-102 depending on what kind of price you can get from a dealer.
They sell the individual parts for the mirror too, so if you can just replace the broken part, that might be cheapest fix. (ie,Housing costs $16 to 21).

 

[cdan]

Some guy switched lanes into my friend's car and knocked off his mirror. He used lots and lots of packaging tape to tape it back on.

 

[Mookow]

Heh. I had both my side mirrors duct taped to my car senior year of high aschool, courtesy of my sisters drunken friends (it had been my sister's car, one night she went to pick up some friends from a party, they were so drunk that they BOTH stumbled into the car and snapped the mirrors). I found I had to re-tape the suckers every month or two. BTW, the duct tape does leave reside all over the paint, in case you care about that.

 

[churchdoesmatter]

$130 bones.. i went to get it fixed today =/