How to Remove Wing Mirrors

Wing mirrors on the side of vehicles help the driver spot blind spots and other obstacles that might not otherwise be visible. The down side to these type of mirrors is that, because they stick so far off of the side of the vehicle, they can easily be damaged by trees, bushes, or even other passing vehicles. You can remove a damaged wing mirror, if needed, for repair or replacement.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• Prybar or specialized door panel removal tools

Instructions

1. Park the car, truck or other vehicle where you will be removing the wing mirror in a location where you can work comfortably. Shift the auto into park and set the parking brake. Remove the key from the ignition.

2. Pop the hood and locate the negative (black) terminal on the battery, if this is a car with electric wing mirrors. In order to remove the wing mirrors safely, the electricity should be turned off to the automotive electrical system before you begin work. Loosen the terminal on the negative battery cable with an adjustable wrench. Pull the terminal off the battery.

3. Loosen all the bolts on the exterior frame of the wing mirror on an older vehicle. These typically have no indoor controls or knobs. Once the bolts are loosened, pull the mirror off of the door frame.

4. Remove the interior triangular corner from the inside of the window behind the wing mirror. These can usually be pried out of place with a flat bladed screwdriver. Take care not to snap the plastic.

5. Loosen the screws holding the wing mirror in place on the inside of the window with a screwdriver. On older cars and some non-electric wing mirror models, this may finish the job.

6. Remove any screws securing the door panel in position. These may be hidden by plastic coverings or snap lids to hide the screws. Remove the screws once the lids are disconnected. Remove any other door hardware, such as handles or ashtrays.

7. Pull the door panel off the door. Use a prybar or special door panel removal tools you can purchase or rent from some auto parts stores. Don't force the panel as you pull, or you might damage it.

8. Look for any wires leading up to the wing mirror and disconnect them by pulling the plug.

9. Pull the wing mirror off the body of the car.

Tips & Warnings

• The above steps are just a guideline. Removing the wing mirror in your car model may differ from the steps above. If in doubt, consult a professional.

References

• "The Family Handyman"; Replace Broken Side Mirror
• "Weekend Mechanic's Handbook: Complete Auto Repair s You Can Make""; Paul Weissler., 1982