ChrisYoung posted this bit of info
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll ... Z50000050F
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll ... Z50000050F
How do you replace the interior rear view mirror glass?
My inside rear view mirror glass is in bad condition because the coating on the back of the glass is flaking off.
When I went looking for replacement or repair options, I had seen most of the online Corvette stores offer either a full rear view mirror for around $130, a replacement service for around $80, or you could buy a replacement glass for around $30.
I went ahead and bought a replacement glass from Corvette Central and it arrived yesterday. Only thing, No instructions on how to do the replacement.
I looked that mirror over last night and did not see any obvious ways to open it up. It appears to me like it may be two pieces that were glued together? Since companies are selling replacement glass to consumers, I had hoped the job would be a little more straight forward than it appeared at first glance.
I'd really like to do it right and not ruin anything.
I searched the web and couldn't seem to find any reference material on how to replace the interior rear view mirror glass.
Can anyone point me in the right direction on the correct procedure for disassembling the interior rear view mirror casing?
Thanks in advance!
-Chris
This was with a mirror without any electronics in it on a 1984 Corvette Coupe.
First look and see how the mirror is supposed to be oriented in the casing. The thicker part of the glass goes towards the top where the mount is (double check to be sure).
I broke the original glass with a small ball pen hammer in a medium sized garbage can so glass wouldn't go all over the floor. Once the original mirror glass was removed (be careful, because the glass can cut you. I got a couple of small cuts while doing it), your ready to put in the new glass. After the old glass was out, I could see the mirror casing was a single, molded piece. It does not come part.
( I bought my new replacement glass from Corvette Central.)
I went to the kitchen and pulled out a large pot that was wide enough to emurse the entire width of the mirror casing into. I filled it with water and put it on the stove until it was just about ready to start boiling.
I then dipped the mirror casing in the hot, near boiling water holding it by the mounting bracket. I let it soak in the hot water for about 2 minutes. (Try not to touch the casing on the side of the pot or let it touch the bottom, just in case it's hot enough to melt the plastic.) I'd pull the casing out every now and then just to check and see how soft the plastic was getting.
After a couple of minutes, I would test putting the new glass in the casing. Checking to see how soft the plastic was getting.
A minute or so later, I was able to pop the new glass right in!
The best way I found to get the glass in was to insert the thicker part in the casing first. Then work in the sides, then slowly work in the bottom (thinner) part of the glass. It helps to try and get a finger in behind the plastic lip of the casing, to get the bottom edge to pop out a little. Just stick your finger into the hole in the back of the casing where the dimmer lever is. Start at one side of the bottom of the mirror, then the center, then over to the other side. It should just pop right in.
Works and looks GREAT!!
Hope this helps others trying to do the same job.
-Chris
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll ... Z50000050F
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll ... Z50000050F
How do you replace the interior rear view mirror glass?
My inside rear view mirror glass is in bad condition because the coating on the back of the glass is flaking off.
When I went looking for replacement or repair options, I had seen most of the online Corvette stores offer either a full rear view mirror for around $130, a replacement service for around $80, or you could buy a replacement glass for around $30.
I went ahead and bought a replacement glass from Corvette Central and it arrived yesterday. Only thing, No instructions on how to do the replacement.
I looked that mirror over last night and did not see any obvious ways to open it up. It appears to me like it may be two pieces that were glued together? Since companies are selling replacement glass to consumers, I had hoped the job would be a little more straight forward than it appeared at first glance.
I'd really like to do it right and not ruin anything.
I searched the web and couldn't seem to find any reference material on how to replace the interior rear view mirror glass.
Can anyone point me in the right direction on the correct procedure for disassembling the interior rear view mirror casing?
Thanks in advance!
-Chris
This was with a mirror without any electronics in it on a 1984 Corvette Coupe.
First look and see how the mirror is supposed to be oriented in the casing. The thicker part of the glass goes towards the top where the mount is (double check to be sure).
I broke the original glass with a small ball pen hammer in a medium sized garbage can so glass wouldn't go all over the floor. Once the original mirror glass was removed (be careful, because the glass can cut you. I got a couple of small cuts while doing it), your ready to put in the new glass. After the old glass was out, I could see the mirror casing was a single, molded piece. It does not come part.
( I bought my new replacement glass from Corvette Central.)
I went to the kitchen and pulled out a large pot that was wide enough to emurse the entire width of the mirror casing into. I filled it with water and put it on the stove until it was just about ready to start boiling.
I then dipped the mirror casing in the hot, near boiling water holding it by the mounting bracket. I let it soak in the hot water for about 2 minutes. (Try not to touch the casing on the side of the pot or let it touch the bottom, just in case it's hot enough to melt the plastic.) I'd pull the casing out every now and then just to check and see how soft the plastic was getting.
After a couple of minutes, I would test putting the new glass in the casing. Checking to see how soft the plastic was getting.
A minute or so later, I was able to pop the new glass right in!
The best way I found to get the glass in was to insert the thicker part in the casing first. Then work in the sides, then slowly work in the bottom (thinner) part of the glass. It helps to try and get a finger in behind the plastic lip of the casing, to get the bottom edge to pop out a little. Just stick your finger into the hole in the back of the casing where the dimmer lever is. Start at one side of the bottom of the mirror, then the center, then over to the other side. It should just pop right in.
Works and looks GREAT!!
Hope this helps others trying to do the same job.
-Chris
