Repairing/replacing driver side mirror on 5th gen SR5

[4RunnerAU]

Hey all,

Long story, but basically a branch snapped off my driver's side mirror on my 2015 4runner SR5 while I was backing up. Stupid mistake, I know. Essentially, what happened was that the mirror housing snapped from the arm that connects the mirror to the body of the 4runner. The glass was not affected and the motor still works. It's currently gorilla taped back on heh

After doing reading of other threads on this site, I had the following questions:

(if I missed where this was answered, sorry in advance!)

1) Can I repair it by re-attaching the housing to the arm with industrial grade adhesive? I'm guessing I could glue it back on but it won't rotate anymore, right? I just hate to have to replace the entire piece when everything on it is working except for that one snapped piece of plastic.

2) If I do replace, should I go with after-market or OEM? Any recs on where to purchase for either (with emphasis on pre-painted parts)? Anyone know how far back I can go in model years if I decide to go used?

3) How hard is the replacement if I replace the entire assembly? Other than painting, it seems fairly straightforward, with the only hang-up being having to remove the door panel to connect the assembly's motor wire harness in the door.

 

[4RunnerAU]

Bump

 

[rigtec]

Hi 4RunnerAU,

It's pretty simple as demonstrated in the following vids:

https://youtu.be/-0IrB5gtTSU

https://youtu.be/wcTg2mIY3wc

The late model 4Runner, Taco, and Tundra all follow the same format so don't be concerned with minor vehicle model deviations!

Cheers

 

[flyrv9]

You might be able to find a replacement mirror assy or housing in a junkyard. Then you could have it painted before you installed it.

You might want to remove your broken one now; unless you are sure your tape / glue will stand up to highway speeds and bumps.

 

[scott78945]

I replaced my drivers side a month or so back. I didn't have to have any parts painted as I was able to use my older painted cover. My long story short is that I was backing up into my garage and clipped it on the framing of the garage, basically shattering it. I went after market but some thought I was crazy paying $40K for a truck but putting an after market $80 side mirror. I wasn't willing to pay $350 for a mirror so close to Christmas. I got mine on EBay and have had no problems at all.

I did have to take the door panel off which wasn't bad at all. There are three hidden bolts that are behind tabs that you will have to losen to take the door off. The rest of it is on with pressure tabs. There are three bolts holding the mirror on and to get to them you just pry off the plastic piece on the side door to expose the nuts. Again, really isn't all that bad and if I can do it you can. Just make sure you order the correct side mirror, that it has signal lights, and puddle lamps if yours have them so its an exact match.

 

[rigtec]

I just replaced one for a buddy who has a late model Lexus LX-430 (looks much the same as ours). I found all the parts e.g., the shell, motors, glass mirror & carriage assm... 'brand new' on ebay for about $350-400 bucks, S&H was free; I really didn't need the egg shell but it came packaged with it. The parts from Toyota/Lexus would have run him somewhere around $1300-$1500 dollars ...worked out great!

 

[4RunnerAU]

Hey all - just wanted to give an update on this in case anyone who encounters this same problem and searches the site runs into this thread. I ordered a replacement mirror from TYC. Quality is a little "meh" - the back plate doesn't really snap on snug and the actual mirror itself seems a little bit smaller than OEM. However, I bought it for $50 and it came painted black (the color of my 4Runner) so I can't be too upset.

The actual installation wasn't too bad. It's pretty straightforward as noted above but a couple of notes:

• Removing the door window button panel can be a little frustrating because it's on there pretty solid. If you use a flat head screwdriver to assist in prying it, make sure you do it from the top of the panel (i.e., the one closest to the AC vent) and not from the sides because it's easy to break off one of the snaps.
• Before you start this, research the "shortcut" to reinstalling the door panel. It is a huge PITA to do if you try to hang it back on without removing the weather panel and hanging it on the door before trying to re-attach the door panel. Basically, the door panel attaches to the door by hanging it onto a long metal piece that runs along the window and plastic screws around the door panel frame that fit into holes in the door. The only thing hold these screws in are these partially covered collars cut into the panel. They don't really do a good job of keeping the screws from falling out. When you try to hang the panel back onto the door, the angle you have to use to put the door back on while minding the wires attached (detach the wire to the light at the bottom of the door during reinstallation btw) will often cause the plastic screws to fall out. Take it from me, it's extremely frustrating when you're trying to hang the door back on and screws start falling out. The sound of screws hitting my garage floor about gave me a conniption. What you need to do is unclip the weather panel from the door panel (comes off in 3 parts), hang the weather panel on to the door and then clip the door panel back onto the weather panel. This way took me less than a minute compared to 30 mins the other way. This is explained in great detail in a build thread on this site, with great pictures to explain the short-cut. Wish I could remember who!

 

[hoosadam]

replace cover, inner or entire assembly?

I bought a used '13 Limited and the passenger mirror has damage to what looks like the inner housing. I'm trying to figure out what part(s) I need. Any guidance?

 

[CoMtn4Runner]

Did you find out what part you needed? I managed to damage my 2012 in the same spot and need to figure out what/how to replace as well :doh:

I bought a used '13 Limited and the passenger mirror has damage to what looks like the inner housing. I'm trying to figure out what part(s) I need. Any guidance?

 

[hoosadam]

Did you find out what part you needed? I managed to damage my 2012 in the same spot and need to figure out what/how to replace as well :doh:

Finally ordered part 87915-04030-C0 for my black 4R and it should be here tomorrow. Will post an update.


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[CoMtn4Runner]

Nice, I would love to know how the install goes and any tips you have.

Finally ordered part 87915-04030-C0 for my black 4R and it should be here tomorrow. Will post an update.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hoosadam]

Nice, I would love to know how the install goes and any tips you have.

Well it looks like I have the wrong part. I'll double check later but the broken part is inside of what this outer shell/cover includes. The entire assembly looks like the only other option at ~$200 for the one with signal lamp. Crap. Part number 87910-35A61 or A51 without the lamp

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[hauser4runner]

2015 4runner limited

tried looking at the thread above and videos provided, but my '15 mirror assembly appears different. drivers side. Does the entire door panel need to be removed to access the removal of the mirror?

 

[Drizzie]

The glass portion itself or you trying to dismantle the whole assembly? The glass itself just pops off. If you are looking to disassemble the whole thing I suggest looking at some Youtube videos for the puddle light install/replacements.

 

[hauser4runner]

Replacing the whole assembly. Been trying to find a video on youtube but dont seem to be able to find one with a door assembly that matches. From the interior it looks like I can just remove a cover on the interior that is in alignment with the mirror. Trying to conform before I start pulling things apart.

 

[dweh54]

Just did this on my 2017...car wash ripped off the mirror.

You remove the plastic cover where the mirror meets the door to access the three bolts holding the mirror.

But you do have to pull off the door panel to access the electrical connector for the mirror.

 

[hauser4runner]

OK. any good resources you found to follow in removing the door panel? Steps or tools needed?

 

[dweh54]

OK. any good resources you found to follow in removing the door panel? Steps or tools needed?

These are the three covers that need removed, one behind the door handle, and the other two are out in the middle of the door. There are screws under there to remove. Sorry, not sure why they are sideways.

As for the tools, something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Tresalto-Aut...8658491&sr=1-8&keywords=trim+removal+tool+set
That has everything necessary to pop those covers off (and not destroy them in the process like a screwdriver would) and then pry the door panel off. There are a series of clips around the perimeter that need loosened (using the prybar style) and then kind of lift up and back toward you to remove the panel.

 

[cekman]

I replaced my driver's side mirror. Thanks for all the info on this and other threads.

 

[4runnerSarah]

2016 limited passenger side mirror

So, I not so kindly hit my mirror with my garage when trying to squeeze out between my door and my husband's Tundra this morning. I am hoping to save the $474.38 that Toyota quoted me to replace the assembly. I believe I have found the correct parts online for $100 found here....

https://www.autopartswarehouse.com/...NafvQSU12-bsTm2fH3BoCIc8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

But I hope to replace it by myself with the help of this thread.
1) Has anyone used parts from this website before? If so, do you recommend them?
2) It doesn't seem to be a huge deal to replace this on my own, are there any tricks to the weather stripping for a 2016 as mentioned earlier in the thread?
3) I'm definitely NOT planning on paying this much money for a new mirror but the parts I found are a lot cheaper than the ones you guys said you bought....what are the differences?

Thanks!

Sarah