8 June 2017
 Categories: , Blog

You may not realize how often you look into the side mirrors on your vehicle until one of them is broken. Even though you still have the rearview mirror inside, no side mirrors can seriously impede things you see behind and coming up alongside you. You need to get the broken mirror repaired as soon as possible to reduce the chance of being in an accident. Here are some of the options you have to get it taken care of quickly:

Broken Glass Only

If the problem is only the mirror glass with the mirror housing intact and secure, you can go to a local auto parts store like OEM Used Auto Parts and buy a replacement mirror. Remove the broken glass carefully and measure the inside of the housing. While you should be able to find the correct fit with the make and model of your vehicle, it is always best to have the measurements as well.

Simple Housing

If you have an older vehicle with a simple side mirror that does not have any electronics to it, the replacement can be done by removing the screws from the old one and screwing on the new one. You may need to remove the door trim and reach inside behind the exterior of the door to get to the screws.You can find the mirror at an auto part store or may be able to find one at a salvage yard. You can also use this type of mirror to replace a larger, electronic mirror when the proper mirror is not an option. You may want to buy two of these mirrors and replace both side mirrors to maintain the aesthetic look of the vehicle. Since these mirrors are often a metal color, you will not need to worry about matching the color to your car.

Power Mirror

Replacing a power mirror involves having to remove the entire interior door panel. You will also need to detach the wires from the old one, connect the new one, and then weave the wire back through to the exterior of the door where the mirror will be replaced. If you want to save money you can buy a mirror from the salvage yard, but you may need to paint it to match your car after it is attached.

You can always take the car to a shop and have the mirror replaced and painted if necessary. However, this is going to be much more expensive than doing it yourself. Take a look at the mirror and how it is attached. You will see that it should be something you can do without much trouble at all.