Replacing driver's-side rearview mirror glass; big chore?

[Iracema1]

Hi everyone:

this is my first posting on the forum! Looking forward to your responses!

I bought a VERY nice, 1989 Targa in Baltic Blue. Very little that this low-mileage car needs, but the convex glass in the driver's-side rearview mirror drives me nuts! Maybe I am unique, but it makes it VERY confusing (for me) to judge the distance of the car next to me when I am changing lanes, etc..

Anyway, Pelican Parts has replacement flat mirror glass at a decent price. Is the switch-out a chore that anyone else has tackled? My mechanic will always do it, but probably charge me an hour. Let me know what you all think and great to be part of the list!

Best

Andy Smith
Mill Valley, CA

[Discseven]

As a fresh landed Pelican, first thing is to show pics of your car and talk modifications... then ask q's. That said... Welcome to the hoard. Watch out for Ron & Bob show. Have taken entire door apart but... never dealt with mirror so no help here. Someone will know answer.

[Curt K]

Andy, When the glass fell out of mine, I took the pieces to a local glass shop, and they cut and fitted the glass (had to order the glass, so it took a couple of days). Glued the glass to the heated base with silicon. $35.00 total.

Curt

[Iracema1]

Thanks Curt and Karl. Attached is a photo of the car with a more thorough description/introduction to come later

[Curt K]

You are welcome, and nice looking car.

Curt

[Josh D]

I haven't seen convex mirror glass used on these before. Maybe a late Carrera thing?

I've used flat 944 mirror glass on the 911 backing with success. I believe it was Dorman. It was cheap as well. If your backing is convex, well that won't work.

[nene]

Welcome Andy!

I am in your neck of the Woods (Sonoma)! Anything I can help out with, let me know.

Serge

[porwolf]

I replaced the mirror glass on my '79SC recently. I just bought a used flag mirror with a good glass, pulled mine out, and replaced it with the good one from the other flag mirror. In my case it was the one with the 3 prongs. For the '89 you may need the glass with the ring bracket in the back.

[Discseven]

Nice ride Andy... TY for pic. (I want your roof )

[Iracema1]

Thanks everyone! These are good ideas! I have to think that the convex glass in that mirror was installed after-market as i think it is really dangerous and cannot imagine those Porsche design engineers specifying this for the production car in 1989!

[Flat Six]

Unless a PO changed your mirror(s), your mirrors should have the 'rotating ring' glass mount. I wonder if the convex glass is from a replacement (glass or entire flag) from passenger side of a RHD car? Personally, I would:

1) determine whether you have an original '89 style (retaining ring) mirror or an earlier 3-prong; then
2) see if you can get a used replacement 'flat' glass from someone like Partsheaven (who's in your neck of the woods anyway).

Good luck.

[kidrock]

Mine flew off shortly after purchasing the vehicle. I went to the local Auto Glass shop, they had a template and cut a new one for me and installed it for $10. 6 years later, still going strong.

[69-912-swt]

I think the convex glass on the drivers side is from a right hand car part.
I a convex drivers side mirror on my '87 3.2 Carrera. Took some time to get used to it, but now it's great !! If you can see a car in the mirror it's too close to change lanes !!!

[adias]

Originally Posted by Flat Six

Unless a PO changed your mirror(s), your mirrors should have the 'rotating ring' glass mount. I wonder if the convex glass is from a replacement (glass or entire flag) from passenger side of a RHD car? Personally, I would:

1) determine whether you have an original '89 style (retaining ring) mirror or an earlier 3-prong; then
2) see if you can get a used replacement 'flat' glass from someone like Partsheaven (who's in your neck of the woods anyway).

Good luck.

Can you expand on the 3=prong attachment? To remove the mirror backing one just pulls it out straight?

[cpa]

Iracema1, not sure which mirror you have, early Sc mirror glass has three clips or prongs like the door panel that you have to pry out. Use a plastic trim tool not a metal tool. If it is a later SC look at the bottom of the mirror, under the rubber trim, if it has an oblong hole insert a small screwdriver and rotate the retainer ring. You will feel notches on the retainer ring. It will rotate and release the mirror glass.

[adias]

Originally Posted by cpa

Iracema1, not sure which mirror you have, early Sc mirror glass has three clips or prongs like the door panel that you have to pry out. Use a plastic trim tool not a metal tool. If it is a later SC look at the bottom of the mirror, under the rubber trim, if it has an oblong hole insert a small screwdriver and rotate the retainer ring. You will feel notches on the retainer ring. It will rotate and release the mirror glass.

I think that my car ('86 3.2) has the mirror plate secured with 3 prongs. I will try what you suggest. Thanks!

[cpa]

If memory serves me the inside I of the mirror near the door glass has two clips. The out side edge has the single clip.

[adias]

Originally Posted by cpa

If memory serves me the inside I of the mirror near the door glass has two clips. The out side edge has the single clip.

I will confirm that once I get the replacement mirror assembly plate. You recommend using a plastic trim tool and pry on the outside center a bit, move to the inside center and back and forth until it pops?

[cpa]

Pop it loose from the single clip. Trim tool between rubber trim & mirror then move to inside edge.

[adias]

Originally Posted by cpa

Pop it loose from the single clip. Trim tool between rubber trim & mirror then move to inside edge.

Thanks, will do! To clarify - in my case ('86 3.2), I do not see a rubber trim; I see the plastic mirror backplate attached to a metallic piece behind. I can rotate the plastic backplate and insert a tool to extract it from the metal plate behind.