As others, I have been wrestling with trying to find a way to compress the spring in the side view mirror for re-installation. Zip ties are to thick, there is very little clearance for anything. After around 6 haurs last night wondering how Toyota achieved assembly, I came to the conclusion they used a special tool, so I cut 2 ring off the passenger side spring and reinstalled, BUT WAIT, THATS NOT THE SOLUTION! So the next day I was on to the drivers side with a new idea that actually worked, 80lb fishing test line!

I first wrapped 3 sides of the spring, which barely fit, I then only wrapped two even sides (be careful they are even or one will slide to the other side) and it fit perfect. Install the spring, place the clip over the top, and used a model car exacto blade to cut the line!

 

Me and my buddy compress the spring with no problem ..

 

Sure your spring hasn't been cut prior to you owning it? These springs are ridiculously strong, and in such an area that is impossible to work with. I searched other threads here with no answers, some people ended up buying a mirror from the junkyard....

 

i have a spare 98-2000 mirror i just robbed the glass out of and didnt even notice this spring.... lol

good fix BTW

 

So Brian, I'm guessing that 98-00 glass fit your 01+ mirror perfectly?

 

YES, glass worked fine (although defrost doesnt work on that mirror ). glass looks a little darker but i dont care....one difference in the plugs was two wires and i was halfway through with the swap before i even thought about straight plugging the wires up to see if it would work



i posted in my DIY all the differences i saw....i guess this clip is in the base which i didnt take apart so i never noticed it

 

Old thread, but I just dealt with this issue on my 1993 SC300.

I used this tool from Amazon and it worked great.