Help!!! My mirror fell off!

bsaffin · 05-16-2003, 01:05 PM

I'm just driving back to work this afternoon, and I hear a 'tink', followed by the sound of shattering glass. I glance to the side and see the glass in the drivers side mirror is gone! WTF? This is a completely new experience. I've had VW's before, so am familiar with parts falling off of cars, but this was a surprise to say the least.

It brings up a couple of questions: First, is this typical for Porsche's, for things to just fall off? Second, where does one go to get replacement glass, and how do you install it? Or is it a job for professionals only (i.e. glass shop)?

BTW, it's a 1988 Targa.

Thanks for any help...Bruce

Hetmann · 05-16-2003, 01:10 PM

My passenger side mirror seemed to be hanging by a thread. When I started to look at it, it fell right out... into my hand. Glue failed. I was lucky and glued it back in. I think you can make a pattern from the mount and have a glass shop cut one out for you.

Tim Polzin · 05-16-2003, 01:10 PM

Mine did exactly that. Just pull the backing out (with the heated element), take it to a glass shop, they will make you an insert exactly like what fell out. Cost me $5 cash.

Tim

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Bruce-
EXACT same thing happened to me last December. Two things you can do. Go to either EASY (Emeryville) or PartsHeaven (Hayward) and get a used one or go to an auto glass place. Here's what I did:

EASY sold me a very nice used one for $25, and they (Spencer) installed it right then and there. FYI, I subsequently went around to several auto glass places in the East Bay - they all wanted to $35-$40 to replace the glass (I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a spare). For those prices, I declined and will just go back to EASY if it happens again.

YMMV

bsaffin · 05-16-2003, 02:12 PM

Interesting. I thought this would have been pretty rare.

Tim, when you say 'pull the backing out', is there any danger of breaking anything when you do that?

Steve - thanks for the tips. I'm in the East Bay, so I might try a local glass shop, and PartsHeaven for comparison. Do you know if they're open Weekends?

...Bruce

304065 · 05-16-2003, 02:22 PM

Don't look back.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Bruce-
use a wide, stiff putty knife to gently pry the backing out of the mirror housing. It is held in (I think) by 3 clips that 'pop' with the above-mentioned pressure.

PartsHeaven is open until 3PM on Saturdays, EASY until 1PM. Don't know about glass shops.

masraum · 02:47 PM

Same thing happened to me last summer. I had several people tell me to get a used part or have some glass cut. I think that would be a good option, but I ended up going with a new factory part. It runs about $80.

Mine is also an '88 targa. Don't just pry the backing out! There's a small hole one the bottom of the mirror. The heating element/backing is held in by a collar that turns about a quarter of a turn to lock the backing in place. you use something like a small regular screw driver up through the hole to turn the collar to release the mirror. I spent 15 or twenty minutes in the heat trying to figure out what to turn and which direction to turn it when I did mine, but I eventually figured it out. Unfortunately it's been too long and I can't remember. If you adjust the mirror up and in all of the way you can somewhat see behind at what you are doing.

don911 · don911's Garage

Same thing happened to my pass. mirror a couple months ago. A windshield place should be able cut you a new mirror.
Also, I second Steve's advice and do not pry the backing out without rotating that collar.

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

Here's a link with help on mirror glass removal & refit.

bsaffin · 05-17-2003, 09:39 AM

Chris, thanks for that link. The reference to the Bentley manaul re: the 3 - 4 inch ring clued me in. After a bit of prodding and poking around, I rotated that ring slightly, and the backing plate just fell out - no prying at all. Pretty simple once you see how it's held in. But this one doesn't have any 'pins' holding it - just the big ring that locks to the mirror back, and the motor.

Now to find some glass...Bruce

ohecht · 05-25-2003, 05:52 PM

Not sure what year they changed, but my 82 SC "flag" mirrors do not have that retaining ring, despite what my Bentley manual said. I ended up damaging the $200+ transmission trying to follow their instructions, so please make sure you know which mirror you have before you trust the manual and start prying a screwdriver around in there.

Olivier