- Joined
- February 8, 2003
- Messages
- 9,824
- Reaction score
- 84
- City, State
- Sacramento, CA 95827
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1992 XLT
Ok... this is not rocket science, but the first time you do it, it can be scary... with that in mind, let's walk through this, with pictures.
Ok to start your mirror is IN your lap - fell off. Let's go from there. You are going to (obviously) need to reattach the mirror, hopefully in the spot from whence it came off. Mirrors usually do not depart without leaving a trace. So, to make sure we get it back in the right spot, on the OUTSIDE of the windshield, mark a square around THAT spot. I am using a grease pencil, but what you use matters not so long as you can find the spot again.
After marking the outside I use a razor blade to scrape the remaining glue from the inside.
The mirror that fell off will have retained the "button" you need to put back on the glass. Getting it out can seem impossible. There will be one or two "slots" to release the button. This is from a FORD although not an explorer... see the single slot?
FORD makes a special tool for removal, here it is, not because you NEED it but to show you the basic idea behind it.
Here it is beside another workable tool, a jeweler's screwdriver -
Once you see the guts of the mirror attachment all this makes more sense.. here is what it looks like - see that bent up tab that "retains" the mirror?
If you add the FORD tool it fits like this (now you understand why it releases the mirror ...
Do not buy some general purpose adhesive. Get the real thing... you can buy a "kit" for about $8 or just the glue for about $3. Here is what you get for $3
A tube of adhesive and a tube of activator. The activator is spread on the glass (I tend to swipe the button lightly too, hasn't seemed to hurt any). To glue the button start by cleaning the interior glass well. Remember you have the grease pencil marks to show you WHERE to clean. As for the button I like to begin my scraping it clean with the edge of the razor blade, then "flat sand" it...
Before you do ANY gluing make ABSOLUTELY sure you get the proper orientation for the button. It is VERY easy to install it upside down, and if you do, you are screwed BIG TIME. CHECK CHECK and recheck...
Once you have it etched in your mind how the button is oriented on the glass, it's time to glue!
First break the applicator tube and rub the activator on the window glass where you'll mount it, you have lots so do a generous area. Like I said I lightly do the button too. Put the adhesive on the button..
carefully position it and using finger pressure without any movement press and hold it place for a couple of minutes. (Turn on the car radio and listen all the way through a song works too). Not a great photo but this is my finger pressing the button is the pre-marked square
Here's the finished button in place. Aren't you glad we marked that square?
All that is left is to give it 30 minutes or so and carefully slip the mirror back on.
It's done. Like I said not rocket science but you definitely do not want to get it on wrong. It may NOT come off without breaking the windshield!
Happy Exploring
Chris
ps. don't forget to clean off your grease pencil marks !
Ok to start your mirror is IN your lap - fell off. Let's go from there. You are going to (obviously) need to reattach the mirror, hopefully in the spot from whence it came off. Mirrors usually do not depart without leaving a trace. So, to make sure we get it back in the right spot, on the OUTSIDE of the windshield, mark a square around THAT spot. I am using a grease pencil, but what you use matters not so long as you can find the spot again.
After marking the outside I use a razor blade to scrape the remaining glue from the inside.
The mirror that fell off will have retained the "button" you need to put back on the glass. Getting it out can seem impossible. There will be one or two "slots" to release the button. This is from a FORD although not an explorer... see the single slot?
FORD makes a special tool for removal, here it is, not because you NEED it but to show you the basic idea behind it.
Here it is beside another workable tool, a jeweler's screwdriver -
Once you see the guts of the mirror attachment all this makes more sense.. here is what it looks like - see that bent up tab that "retains" the mirror?
If you add the FORD tool it fits like this (now you understand why it releases the mirror ...
Do not buy some general purpose adhesive. Get the real thing... you can buy a "kit" for about $8 or just the glue for about $3. Here is what you get for $3
A tube of adhesive and a tube of activator. The activator is spread on the glass (I tend to swipe the button lightly too, hasn't seemed to hurt any). To glue the button start by cleaning the interior glass well. Remember you have the grease pencil marks to show you WHERE to clean. As for the button I like to begin my scraping it clean with the edge of the razor blade, then "flat sand" it...
Before you do ANY gluing make ABSOLUTELY sure you get the proper orientation for the button. It is VERY easy to install it upside down, and if you do, you are screwed BIG TIME. CHECK CHECK and recheck...
Once you have it etched in your mind how the button is oriented on the glass, it's time to glue!
First break the applicator tube and rub the activator on the window glass where you'll mount it, you have lots so do a generous area. Like I said I lightly do the button too. Put the adhesive on the button..
carefully position it and using finger pressure without any movement press and hold it place for a couple of minutes. (Turn on the car radio and listen all the way through a song works too). Not a great photo but this is my finger pressing the button is the pre-marked square
Here's the finished button in place. Aren't you glad we marked that square?
All that is left is to give it 30 minutes or so and carefully slip the mirror back on.
It's done. Like I said not rocket science but you definitely do not want to get it on wrong. It may NOT come off without breaking the windshield!
Happy Exploring
Chris
ps. don't forget to clean off your grease pencil marks !