Side mirror replacement help

[flyfast]

Hello all, brand new to this forum, but not new to forums.


I've got an 07 ST Limited 2WD Limited and I'm having a few issues with it as of lately. There is a lot of good info on this site and cheers to those that help us from keeping from hard lessons learned from y'alls mistakes. (no pun intended!)

My biggest issue is the passenger side mirror I recently broke the glass on backing out of my garage. Didn't seem to bust up any of the plastic, just the glass. I've found replacement online for $110 for a powered mirror (no heat) assy. But the thing is, My caps are painted to match the body and I'd like to keep it that way without visiting a paint shop.

Is there a way to just replace the glass or does the whole assy have to be changed? If so, can I simply transfer the painted mirror cap on to the new assy?

If the assy does need replacement, what's the easiest way to remove the door panel to go about it?

Haven't figured out the search feature on here just yet so any help will be very much appreciated.


Thanks!

 

[zpn_by]

if the mechanism is good, check with a glass shop in your area. I broke a mirror once and they were able to do a glass replacement for me - no housing. Plus it was only about $10, but that was 1996!

 

[Markaprice73]

Ive used the Fit System brand on my 03 ST. The mirror was only cracked. Worked well for me.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/part-finder/slide-show/2007/Ford/Explorer%20Sport%20Trac/ref=au_as_r?ie=UTF8&Make=Ford|54&Model=Explorer%20Sport%20Trac|2814&Year=2007|2007&brand=&carId=003&partsNode=15709391&vehicleType=6

 

[flyfast]

Ive used the Fit System brand on my 03 ST. The mirror was only cracked. Worked well for me.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/part-finder/slide-show/2007/Ford/Explorer%20Sport%20Trac/ref=au_as_r?ie=UTF8&Make=Ford|54&Model=Explorer%20Sport%20Trac|2814&Year=2007|2007&brand=&carId=003&partsNode=15709391&vehicleType=6

So what's the trick to making the glass replacement?

How do you access the area behind the glass to remove it 'if' the guts are broken within the powered adjustment?

This is the the answer and link I was looking for by the way.

 

[Markaprice73]

Sorry. I can only comment on what I did. I don't have my Fathers 07 ST in town to take a look at.IIRC,(its been awhile) On mine, the plastic frame/housing that the mirror sits in "pops" out with a good sharp tug.(i dont recall exactly how I did that with my fat fingers. Maybe pried it with something)(I probably could have left it in) Then, I scraped all the broken glass out of it. The new mirror is attached to the frame/housing with double sided sticky tape that comes with the replacement. The frame attaches to the electric adjustment. It pops back in. Sorry I really dont remember all the details. My side mirrors are electric with no heat. If the guts are broken. I'd imagine you will need the entire replacement. Then go from there with how you want to proceed. The replacement mirror will come with some basic instructions. Good luck.
..that Dorman replacement looks like a good option as well.

 

[Markaprice73]

O'Reillys Auto also has the replacements mirrors and assembles if you wanted to take a look first.
"Search this Forum" box is in the top right hand corner of the 2007 - 2010 Explorer Sport Trac home page
This may help with door panel removal.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362698&highlight=door+panel

 

[k1w1t1m]

For someone that stumbles across this in the future....

I don't know if you can buy the glass but it is possible to remove just the glass from the housing and motor assembly. Some careful prying and use of picks from the set I bought at Harbor Freight to lift the retaining clips will allow you to remove the glass. The new glass will just snap back on.

Sorry no pics. I just had my whole mirror assembly down to it's individual parts and was frustrated with getting it back together. There is a huge spring that needs compressed to reassemble the mirror head to the base.