View mirror removal help please.

[Marinerman]

I would really appreciate some help on how to slide off the rear view mirror on my '95 Explorer. The only thread I found on this website was a series of help pictures from an older '94 and below mirror .. I've taken this car to 2 auto glass shops and when they began to struggle (obviously not knowing what they're doing), I stopped them before any damage was done. I simply want to slide the mirror off the metal piece that's attached to my windshield. I figure this is the best place to ask. Thank you VERY MUCH. Ed

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome, I think that it was 1995 that the mirrors no longer have a set screw. The later mirrors are pressed on, downward. So to remove it lift it up along the glass towards the roof. The old type is better, these new mirrors are harder to keep tight, they vibrate more. Regards,

 

[Marinerman]

I've done this. I put in some Liquid Wrench to loosen it, and pulled up. But nothing. Thanks.

 

[CDW6212R]

Unless someone added a glue of some kind when none is needed, it lifts up. I'd bet that someone did glue it in place due to vibration. It may come off with the mount still attached. Work with it while considering the windshield, don't break the windshield. Good luck,

 

[Marinerman]

I noticed theres a hole on the bottom of the base and one on the top. I'm thinking some tool goes in there and disengages something. I tried a jewelers screwdriver but nothing. Damn.

 

[Marinerman]

I might just take a dremmel to it and cut off the base body.

 

[CDW6212R]

Are you sure that it isn't a set screw hole? Again I'm not sure when Ford stopped using a set screw, but I doubt that there is a third mounting type.

 

[CDW6212R]

You might also contact someone here with a 95 that could say for sure how they come off. I'm not familiar with every big member here and the model year of their truck.

 

[TedJ]

How to: Make tool, remove mirror

This is done on my 94.

First, if it looks like this, then this info does not apply. I have no idea how to remove these without breaking the window. This is a "GM" type mount to me, but I think Ford uses these as well on the newer cars. Actually I guess it is really a Gentex Type mount, since all the mirrors I have seen with this type mount are made by them.




The mirror has a small, offset notch on the bottom of the base. There is a specialty tool made for this, but I just made my own from some kind of metal thing I found laying around. The tool looks like this:



It is sized to slip up in that hole, and has a 45 degree taper on the side that faces you. It gets inserted in the hole, and then you push up on the tool. Expect the mirror to go flying up and into the air. Don't stab yourself with the tool trying to catch the mirror.



This is what the tool is doing back there, its kinda blurry my camera only wanted to focus on the back of the mirror (sorry).

 

[toypaseo]

TedJ, nice job.

Below might be a pic of the "correct" tool to use, but as long as your free tool works, free is better

 

[TedJ]

I had time, a metal thingy ( I think it is some kind of garden stake) and a bench grinder, and the only place I could get a real one from was by mail order, so I just made my own.

BTW, there are two types of tools. The one you show has two prongs, which will not work on this type of mirror. There is one with only one, bigger prong and that is what my tool emulates.

Link to correct tool @ sears LINK

 

[toypaseo]

ahhh...

TedJ tool pic...

 

[Pensa]

I have a 95 and mine just slides up and off. If there is a set screw in it it isn't tight. I know I take my mirror off to clean the inside of the windshield and have never had a problem getting it off. No vibration problem either.

 

[wood1]

Ted is right on the money, all we ever used is a thin common screwdriver (in the glass business for several years). Shove it up in that hole until you flex the clip, then hold the mirror by the arm and head (sounds weird I know) and wiggle it off. A lot of times it'll pop off as you push the screwdriver into the slot.

I have had to give my hand a good wack (holding the mirror as described) with my free hand and the screwdriver stuck in the slot, but that is not the norm.

As Don wisely pointed out, keep in mind that you are dealing with glass. I would be especially careful if you happend to have an older windshield with the odd rock chip...

 

[Marinerman]

First of all, I want to thank all of your for your help. The detailed pictures were fantastic and I appreciate your time putting this together.

I succeeded in taking off the mirror. What I did was. I took a single edge razor and removed the metal bracket that's attached to the windshield (I got tired of separating the mirror from the bracket unsuccessfully). I attached a razor blade to a putty knife, tapped it a few times and off it went. When I separated the bracket from the mirror I noticed this particular mirror did not come with a spring (as in the pictures). It was simply a 'slide on' which someone had glued. CDW you were right!

I scraped away the glue the was on the bracket and then I took some sandpaper to it. I had already made a stencil (using a a washable felt pen) on the outside of the windshield. I cleaned the inside of the windshield with a little Windex and dried off the glass real good. I used Liquid Nails Perfect glue 2 (even though PG2 doesn't say metal, it does say glass and I know this stuff is pretty strong)and put it on the back of the bracket and placed it on the window. This glue dried instantly (it helps the it's about 77o outside). I waited a couple of minutes and slid the mirror onto the bracket. I gave it a couple of small taps to set, and it looks great.

Again, thank you all for your help. MM

 

[XxxMonoxideChild]

this thread was a great help. while trying to upgrade to the auto dimmer mirror, ive been fighting with my 92 X's mirror. decided to search, and found this thread. after me beating at the base for like 5 minutes, and it not budging, all it took was a bent clothes hanger to remove it!

 

[scottfab]

I've checked may threads on "removing rear view mirror" and "vibrating rear view mirror" and "wiggling mirror" etc
and by far this thread is the best and most helpful.
Further more the post below in this tread was the most helpful.
I was able to get my mirror off AND came up with a way to rework
the clip assembly to firm up the mirror. (does not involve placing a bunch of glue in the assembly)
I have pics and will post a new thread on this, probably tomorrow.
Search for "Mirror rework". That should find what I post.
Scott

This is done on my 94.

First, if it looks like this, then this info does not apply. I have no idea how to remove these without breaking the window. This is a "GM" type mount to me, but I think Ford uses these as well on the newer cars. Actually I guess it is really a Gentex Type mount, since all the mirrors I have seen with this type mount are made by them.




The mirror has a small, offset notch on the bottom of the base. There is a specialty tool made for this, but I just made my own from some kind of metal thing I found laying around. The tool looks like this:



It is sized to slip up in that hole, and has a 45 degree taper on the side that faces you. It gets inserted in the hole, and then you push up on the tool. Expect the mirror to go flying up and into the air. Don't stab yourself with the tool trying to catch the mirror.



This is what the tool is doing back there, its kinda blurry my camera only wanted to focus on the back of the mirror (sorry).