[Tech] Installing a rear view mirror!

[hawkeye]

Hey Guys,

Is there a link or can you guys tell me how to replace the rear view mirror on my '06 mazda3? It broke becos of an accident and the labor charges by a dealer is too much. Is there someway I can fix it myself?

I bought the part already. Need to know how to fix it.

Thanks in advance,
Hawkeye

[millyowner]

How exactly is it broken? Does the rearview mirror on the 3 attach to the windshield?

[hawkeye]

How exactly is it broken? Does the rearview mirror on the 3 attach to the windshield?
[/b]

It's mounted and is power controlled from the inside...I don't think it's attached to the windshield. A pole hit the mirror and the glass broke.I can see some cables come out of the mount (attached to the body) and some cables inside the mirror, just can't figure out how a new one could be installed. If I have some tools, can I fix it myself? Thanks in advance.

[millyowner]

Mazda likes to hide mounting hardware like screws and bolts with plastic covers since they're more aesthetically pleasing. We're still building a Mazda 3 population here, so a millenia owner with a Mazda EPC will have to do.

[attachmentid=1278]

[TedCorp]

I think you mean sideview mirror...and man, ya gotta hate those pesky poles....I had one run out from behind a thin tree just the other day...it nearly took out my passenger side headlamp!!

I'm not in front of my car...obviously, but try looking under the mirror for screws or take off the tweeter cover on the inside of the door as there may be some screws behind that. From there you should be able to fumble your way through an install. Good luck and good night.

[millyowner]

And here I was thinking a mishap in a Pottery Barn parking lot loading something long and wicker related between the front seats.

[kabnt2005]

Maybe it was a large PVC pipe, say for a humungous potato cannon? Or perhaps it was just plumbing work, that doesnt sound as fun...

[icspots]

Hey Guys,

Is there a link or can you guys tell me how to replace the rear view mirror on my '06 mazda3? It broke becos of an accident and the labor charges by a dealer is too much. Is there someway I can fix it myself?

I bought the part already. Need to know how to fix it.

Thanks in advance,
Hawkeye[/b]

Okay so you said the glass was broken. Is the housing broken enough that you might as well replace it, or do you want to salvage it? what part did you buy, just the glass, or the entire mirror housing?

Replacing the side mirror is insanely easy and you'd be a fool to pay the dealer to do it for you. first off if you have to replace the entire thing then you might as well upgrade yourself. Assuming you're in the US then your 3 didn't come with heated mirrors, however the factory wiring and fuse is still in the harness/fuse box. A full mirror mount with the glass/heating element that's color matched to your car will run you about $100-110 per side from www.onlinemazdaparts.com.

If you don't want to replace the mount, and just want to replace the glass (assuming ther internal mechanism isn't damaged) then you can purchase just the glass. It pops out easily if you know where to push.

To replace the mirror:

-remove the triangular sail panel from the inside of the door (where the tweeter is if you have the 6 speaker stereo). it might be easier to remove the panel with the window open.

-unplug the wiring harness.


-unscrew the three 8mm bolts (two removed in this pic)


-remove the existing mirror housing, and repeat in reverse to put on the new one.

[x5918]

Try the multivexmirror.com -- they offer convex mirrors for $30. Mazda3 2005 hatchback driver side mirror has part number 35071LH -- I believe the Mazda3 sedan uses the same mirror as the hatch -- but you can always send them a paper trace if you want to play safe. I have much better confidence with lane changes, now that I have the Euro/Japan style, convex driver side mirror.

Why does Mazda3 in USA have a "flat" driver side mirror, when the same car sold in Europe has convex mirror? Answer: because of FMVSS 111. The FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS requires an Unit Magnification Mirror as original equipment. While the FMVSS 111 (of year 1975) is supposed to be helping you, and make your lane change safer, I think the result is exactly the opposite. If somebody would take the initiative to amend the FMVSS 111, then it would be definetly be the right thing to do -- but I don't think that is going to happen any time soon.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...31/141676.html

[luluka]

AudiWorld Tech Articles