Rear View Mirror Removal - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

toysupra1 · 12-05-2006, 01:18 AM

quick question...how do i remove the rear view mirror on a 2007 tacoma? i came across some instructions stating that i just grab the mirror with both hands and pull down but i'm afraid of breaking the mirror mount in the process.

thanks.

njmueller363 · 12-05-2006, 01:28 AM

spray some anti-adhesive around where it mount to the window and get a razor blade or any other type of flat tool and slowely pry...dont break the window...that would suck

***cam2Xrunner*** · 12-05-2006, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njmueller363

spray some anti-adhesive around where it mount to the window and get a razor blade or any other type of flat tool and slowely pry...dont break the window...that would suck

You dont want to take off the peice that's mounted to the window! You'd be screwed if you did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by toysupra1

quick question...how do i remove the rear view mirror on a 2007 tacoma? i came across some instructions stating that i just grab the mirror with both hands and pull down but i'm afraid of breaking the mirror mount in the process.

Get a thin allen wrench or something similar(small allen keys work best for me) and push it into the bottom part of where the mirror mounts to the metal permanent window mount(there will be a slot on the bottom). You push that up there to push the clip out of the way. While pushing up on the allen key pull on the stem of the mirror upwards towards the roof.

toysupra1 · 12-05-2006, 01:49 AM

i want to remove the stock mirror to replace it with an auto-dimming mirror.

there's a molding that covers the base plate of the mirror mount. is there a way to pop this molding off?

i notice there's a notch at the bottom of the mirror mount.

njmueller363 · 12-05-2006, 02:00 AM

see I was right...just do like I said...dont worry about the molding just try not to gouge the edges...the new mirror will have adhesive on it so it should even cover up that whole black outline

toysupra1 · 12-05-2006, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njmueller363

see I was right...just do like I said...dont worry about the molding just try not to gouge the edges...the new mirror will have adhesive on it so it should even cover up that whole black outline

my gentex 313 replacement mirror doesn't have adhesive for it. its looks like it slides over an existing mount like others have done so.

if i remove the existing mount, cam is right...i'd be screwed.

i found these instructions from searching the net...

http://www.toyotapart.com/installation/PT374-35050.pdf

i want to get some feedback from current owners who removed their stock rear view mirror.

thomasgif · 12-05-2006, 06:40 AM

toysupra1,
Let me stress DO NOT REMOVE the metal piece on the window. I too took a while to figure out how to remove the mirror when replacing with an auto-dim. Here is how I did it:

1. Pop the plastic piece (with the notch on the bottom) off. If you pry gently with a screwdriver at both sides and/or the bottom it will come off. I thought I was going to break it but I didn't and it is pretty flexible once it is removed.

2. Then the tab you have to pull away from the window should be pretty obvious. Just pull up on it and the whole mirror slides up off the metal wedge.

3. Replace with auto-dim!

I would take pictures but I am now at work. Again, don't be afraid to pop off the moulding covering the base of the mirror. The other methods described basically bypass this step, but only work if you are lucky enough to disengage the tab while working blind; I wasn't. Took literally 10 seconds to remove the mirror once I got the moulding off.

Hope this helps. I can take pictures later tonight ~8PM eastern if you are still stuck.

John_Hoffman · 12-05-2006, 07:29 AM

I found that if I just tapped the bottom of the mirror moulding the mirror moved up so I could remove it. I first tried removng the molding but it doesn't move very much when it is unclipped. I checked with a local glass company as well and that is what the said. I instaled the Homelink mirror and it was a cinch.

Do not mess with the metal button.

UT06 · 12-05-2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njmueller363

see I was right...just do like I said...dont worry about the molding just try not to gouge the edges...the new mirror will have adhesive on it so it should even cover up that whole black outline

You are way wrong. The replacement mirrors attach to the existing mount. DO NOT REMOVE THE EXISTING MOUNT!

I used a small screwdriver and popped off that plastic cover. Then I pressed down on the tab and pulled up (towards the roof) and the mirror came off. Then I slid the new mirror on. Took 30 seconds.

toysupra1 · 12-05-2006, 09:00 AM

thanks guys. from reading the other threads, i found that the gentex mirror uses the existing mounts. i'm just having a hard tire figuring out how to remove the old mirror.

thomasgif, if you could take pictures of how to remove the old mirror, that would be great. i don't want to scratch up the windshield in the process of prying off the plastic cover.

thomasgif · 12-05-2006, 10:02 AM

I take pictures after work if you still need it, but it is nearly impossible to scratch the window. Just keep the tool/screwdriver on the black part of the window and TWIST the screwdriver. Don't pry. If you have a wide enough blade, then twisting works and is much safer. Also, someone else mentioned it didn't come off very far. It just "pops" by the ball joint too. Give it a try.

toysupra1 · 12-05-2006, 11:24 AM

well, i was on my way to work and was stopped at a redlight. i figured i take a look at the mirror. just using my finger at the bottom notch and giving it some pressure up, the mirror just shot out of the mount and into the cab.

sure enough, its just held on with a clip. now i feel like an idiot for overthinking the mounting method. so thomas, no pictures needed now.

thanks for everyone's help.

msibille · 12-05-2006, 05:59 PM

If you do ever accidentally pop off the metal plate, they sell adhesive kits for the mounting plate (and replacement plates) at most aftermarket auto parts stores. OTOH, it is only cyanacrylate glue (SuperGlue) so if the plate comes off, clean off the residue and reglue w/ SuperGlue.

thomasgif · 12-05-2006, 09:22 PM

Glad to hear it worked out for you. I felt the same way when I finally got the stupid thing off. "can't believe it was that easy" Oh well, better to be safe I guess and over-think things

njmueller363 · 12-05-2006, 09:53 PM

what kind of auto dimming mirrors are you guys buying that are direct replacements?...I dont need homelink