Re: [DML] removing mirror glass (long)

["Walter" <Whalt@xxxx>]

> How can you remove the glass? does it pop out or does it have
> to be heated and taken off?

No guys! I didn't pay this guy to be a shill for a new convex mirror. (big
smile)

Because I have gone in the business of making replacement convex mirror
glass to fit our cars, I have written up some instructions for removing and
replacing the glass. Even if you replace your mirror with OEM flat glass
instead of buying a convex mirror from me, these directions will still
apply. Unfortunately, there are more people who want mirrors than I have
time to make them. If you want me to make you one, it will probably be
toward the end of the year before I get caught up with everyone on the
waiting list before you. If you are totally desperate, I can send you a
reject (badly chipped & scratched) convex mirror to use until I get the time
to make you a perfect one. From the driver's seat, the imperfections won't
be too obvious.

Be aware that the DeLorean side mirror housings are hinged so that if you
hit something moving either forward or backward, then they will swing out of
the way. To have more room to work on the mirror, swing it out.

Many people may not realize that there are two similar but different
versions of side mirror housings. How you proceed depends on which version
your car has.

According to the DeLorean Parts Manual, cars of VIN 5930 and above have the
later style side mirror housing. All others have the earlier version, but I
have seen every kind of exception. To find out what style of mirror you
have for sure, use the following criteria: Look at the border between the
edges of the mirror glass and the mirror housing cup. The later style
housing has a thin black frame that fits flush with the surface of and
surrounds the parameter of the glass. If you stick a pencil between the
mirror housing cup and the moving glass assembly, the pencil will rest on
the edge of the frame and will not touch the glass. The earlier style
housing has no such frame. If you stick a pencil between the glass and the
housing, the pencil will be touching the raw edge of the glass.

I have never tried removing the mirror glass from a later style housing
(yet). From my experience, most DeLoreans have the earlier version anyway.
If you determine that your mirror housing is the later version, then perhaps
the disassembly instructions listed below for the earlier version will give
you some wisdom.

Early version glass removal instructions:
-----------------------------------------
There are two ways to remove your original mirror -- whole or in pieces.

Whole: Adjust your mirror using the electronic controls to be at the extreme
inward position of its travel. This means that the edge closest to the car
is recessed deeply into the mirror housing and the edge farthest from the
car is protruding as much as possible. Now try to stick your fingers
between the mirror glass and the mounting pad. The pad is very flexible,
and the mirror is not. To aid your work try using a butter knife. It might
also help to use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm the mirror, but be very
careful that the heat does not damage the mirror housing. The OEM
double-sided tape that holds the mirror on tends to stick a lot better to
the mirror than to the mounting pad, so concentrate your efforts on
separating it at the mounting pad and not from the glass. Be careful not to
force the mounting pad in such a way that it causes the electronic mechanism
to skip a gear. If this happens, you may hear a click from the mechanism
and then the mirror may not move properly afterwards using the electronic
controls. To fix this simply force the pad in the opposite direction until
you hear it click again.

In pieces: Break out the very center of the mirror using a heavy
sharp-pointed object such as a ball-peen hammer. Under the glass will be a
thin layer of double-sided tape. Tear it away. This should expose a
phillips head screw in the center of the mounting pad. Remove this screw
and the whole pad should come forward and out. Be careful not to loose the
washer that goes under the screw. Also be careful not to loose the two
small thin spring shims that attach to the two red plastic rods behind the
mounting pad. Look carefully at how it came apart so that you can put it
all back properly.

When you have it apart, you should have the following pieces removed from
the car:
1) phillips screw
2) washer that goes under the screw
3) mirror pad
4) two red plastic rods that attach to the back of the mirror pad using
snap-together ball/socket joints.
5) two small spring shims. One attaches to each red rod. Remember the
orientation of the rods with the spring shims because if they get rotated
then they won't fit back in the hole.

Having the mounting pad off of the car will help considerably in removing
the rest of the old glass and adhesive. Use a solvent such as acetone to
get the rest of the old adhesive off.

When you put it all back together, the red posts need to go in the holes
first. If they are turned the wrong way, they will not go in. It is easier
to fit back together if you position the red rods at a downward angle
relative to the pad. Then look over the top of the pad while you guide the
rods and spring shims back into the holes. Replace the washer & phillips
screw.

Mounting the new mirror:
------------------------
With the mounting pad cleaned and re-installed, adjust the electronic
controls so that the mounting pad is in the center-most position. Or if you
are installing over the original flat mirror, clean the mirror thoroughly.
Remove the 3 pieces of green plastic film from the back of the convex mirror
to expose the adhesive. Carefully stick the mirror centered over the
mounting pad. There should be an equal amount of air space between the top,
bottom and outer edge of the glass. You only have one chance to get this
right because once it sticks on there it isn't going to come off very
easily. The adhesive for the new mirror is much stronger than the OEM.

Now you need to be sure that the new mirror is stuck completely to the
mounting pad. To do this, stick a finger between the mounting pad & housing
cup and squeeze the mirror & mounting pad together between your thumb &
finger. Use the electronic controls to move the mirror to the extremes of
its travel side-to-side to help make room for your finger.

Walt Tampa, FL