reezekeys

First post (other than intro), please be gentle. About a month ago I bought a 2001 GS300 with around 113K. I love the car. Just the other day I noticed my passenger side mirror dangling out of the housing! I took a look and as you can see from the photos, this was a result of a very sloppy "fix." One of the previous owners slapped some epoxy on it and stuck it back on. It looks like two small tabs that clip the mirror glass's housing to the mounting plate broke off (arrows).

I've looked online and from what I see, a replacement glass (in the plastic frame) is around $110. I am contemplating a much cheaper fix - see the last photo!! The unknown here is, of course, whether this tape will hold the mirror, and what the consequences would be if I had to eventually get the replacement glass – could I get the glass part off without destroying the mounting plate/motors/etc.?. If anyone has been down this road before and has some words of advice I'd appreciate it. I don't suppose the plastic frame that holds the mirror glass is available as a separate purchase? (I haven't seen it). TIA for any advice!

maxx430

I am sure it will stick but overtime it will come loose. I recommend you make it a permanent fix, safety on the road is something you may not want to jeopardize. Check the local junk yard.

reezekeys

Thanks for the reply. I'm sure you're right that it wouldn't be a permanent fix. I guess I'm gonna take a chance and give it a try though. At the least, it should buy me some time so I can investigate better options. I actually had an idea to rebuild those little tabs using a plastic repair kit – the ones where you mix a powder with a liquid. I've made repairs on plastic with those kits before and they seem pretty amazing to me – the new plastic seems to "meld" into the existing structure like the Terminator 2 "liquid metal" . Really strong too.

armanitran

iTrader: (-1)

I have the same problem in my GS. I just found a wad of duck tape sticking my mirror together. I am looking for a fix since it might look like tabs are possibly broken. In for a solution!

DMPesso

guys i had this problem, just glue it with some auto glue thats meant for these types of things, it will hold FOREVER. go to autozone and ask them which glue they recommend. Mine was so bad the glass was completely ripped out my mirror by some jerk that didnt want to buy a new one so he stole mine. They glued a random piece of glass onto that square piece inside the mirror. Dumbest thing I ever did, but I didnt wanna spend 150+ on a new heated mirror. The glass sucked it fogged up all the time so I had to buy an entire new mirror. But since you still have your glass, just have the glass glued to the square inside the housing of the mirror and you should be set forever. It will NOT come off if they use the right glue, if you dont wanna do it yourself just go to an auto glass store and they will glue it on.

DMPesso

just put the glue on the entire square especially around the edges and hold it tightly for at least one minute and MAKE SURE its not wet at all before applying the glue.. You will be set for years...

reezekeys

The double-sided mounting tape did not work too well, lol! There's just not enough flat surface area to provide enough adhesive strength to hold things together.

I understand from the last posts that I could just re-glue it, true. But if anything inside the mirror housing ever broke, I might not be able to get to it – I'd have to do the entire mirror. And that would make the $110 for the glass seem cheap! Still, I'm considering it.

My next idea was to try a product I've used in the past, Plast-aid. I could re-build the small tabs that clip the mirror glass to the square mounting plate (in my case, they are broken, which is why my mirror won't stay attached). This stuff is like magic. It literally "becomes one" with the piece you apply it to – there's no seam, it cures quickly and is amazingly durable. You can sand or file it. It's not especially cheap but compared to a new mirror glass assembly it's quite the bargain.

Thanks again everyone for the replies.

GsLex02

This might sound stupid but just my glass is cracked, how easy is it to pop the mirror out of the housing? And can I just replace the glass and not the plastic part behind it??

reezekeys

Yes I believe you can get just the glass, and aftermarket replacements are pretty cheap too – less than $20. In my searching I found the one linked below. Not auto-dimming, and designed to be pasted right over the old glass:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEXUS-ES300-330-GS300-400-430-PASSENGER-RIGHT-SIDE-MIRROR-GLASS-3629/271541938660?_trksid=p2050601.c100085.m2372&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140211132617%26meid%3D8364195239093519136%26pid%3D100085%26prg%3D20140211132617%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D231241601567%26clkid%3D8364196736630181531&_qi=RTM1562572
I should add that someone trying to "pop the mirror out of the housing" is why I am now in the position I'm in! My glass is fine, it's just two small tabs on the back of the glass's plastic frame that are broken. My advice – be very gentle getting that glass out! (Or, maybe you can do this without removing it from the housing)

armanitran

iTrader: (-1)

Thanks for the info. I think I'll just use some double stick adhesive

GsLex02

Ok thanks. Yea I popped my mirror out and ended up cracking it more ha oh well more the reason to fix it