How to Fix a Loose Rearview Mirror?
3 Answers
First, remove the rearview mirror, apply glue to the loose area, reinstall the mirror, and check if it is stable. If it remains unstable, repeat the removal and installation process. Adjust the tightness of the screws to set the rearview mirror at an appropriate level. Screw location: Look up from the bottom of the exterior rearview mirror to find a hole about the size of a thumb.
Last time when I got my car repaired, the mechanic taught me that loose rearview mirrors should be handled based on different situations. For manually adjustable ones, it's usually the base fixing screw that's loose. Just use a suitable hex key to reach in from the bottom of the mirror and tighten it, but remember to hold the mirror base steady with your hand first. If it's an electric rearview mirror that's loose, it might be due to wear on the internal adjustment motor's clip or deformation of the mounting bracket. In this case, you'll need to remove the door panel to fix it. If you're doing it yourself, first disconnect the door fuse to prevent short circuits, and be careful when prying off the mirror glass to avoid pulling off the heating wires. If the entire rearview mirror is wobbling, the base welding points might have come loose, and you'll need to go to a repair shop to reinforce it. When washing your car, avoid spraying high-pressure water directly at the mirror base connection to prevent accelerated aging.
The rearview mirror on my old car also came loose the other day, and it kept wobbling while driving. A quick check revealed that the plastic slot at the pivot was cracked, so I temporarily secured it with strong glue to get by for a couple of days. Actually, most looseness issues can be fixed by simply tightening the three screws at the joint between the mirror and the door—a hex wrench is all you need to do it yourself. For electric models, pay extra attention to the mirror housing clips; use a plastic pry tool to gently open along the seam before inspecting the gear set. If all else fails, use zip ties to temporarily secure the mirror stem to the door as an emergency fix, but avoid highways—strong winds could cause it to detach, which is dangerous. If the mirror bracket is broken, you’ll have to replace the entire assembly, and aftermarket parts usually cost around two to three hundred yuan.
