Vibrating rear view side mirror - quick DIY

[m@x]

Hello everyone,

This is my first thread on this forum (except my introduction in the new members category). I thought I would start exchanging my experience as I learn more and more about the car and do my little DIY projects.

I recently bought a 2006 T4R Limited. This is my first SUV. Lots of things to learn. I bought it in a different city. On my way home, on the highway, I noticed that the reflection in the driver's side mirror was vibrating. Then I found some scratches on the mirror casing. It looked like the mirror had been previously hit at some point, maybe at some drive-through or something..

First of all, I took out the whole mirror unit by removing the door panel, disconnecting the mirror electrical connector, then unscrewing 3 nuts that held the mirror and simply sliding the mirror unit out off the door. Very simple.

Then I removed the decorative bottom cover (green arrow) to reveal 3 M5 screws (torx head).



After undoing them all, I was able to detach the mirror support (that attaches the mirror to the door).

Next, there was a metal pad attached to the mirror casing with another M5 screw. After removing the metal pad, I found the culprit right away:

The metal pad sits on 3 rubber pads that are glued to the mirror casing. One of the rubber pads was missing, therefore creating a gap, an empty space between the mirror casing and the metal pad (pointed out in first pic by the red arrow). I removed all the rubber pads, cut out 3 similar replacement pads from my old silicone carpet and glued them to the casing using the polyurethane sealant.



But there was another problem though - one of the inner threads (for those 3 screws mentioned earlier) was damaged.



I used a 3/16 drill bit to completely remove the remaining thread and tapped a new 6 mm thread. I found an M6 screw with a similar length (actually just a little longer) and reattached the unit back together with no problem.

The mirror is back on the door and so far no vibrations noticed.

Hopefully this helps someone.

Best regards,
Max

 

[superman3043]

Thanks for posting this. I replaced my damaged driver side mirror a few years back with an inexpensive aftermarket one and the vibration from it has driven me crazy ever since. Been meaning to tend to it, but it's just been low priority. That mirror is pretty much useless other than being able to make out some shapes in it. This gives me a good idea of what to look for and how to attack it.

Appreciate the post and welcome to the forum!

 

[Sungod]

my cheap after market shake from the mirror itself and not the housing, but hope your post works for others.

 

[m@x]

Thanks for posting this. I replaced my damaged driver side mirror a few years back with an inexpensive aftermarket one and the vibration from it has driven me crazy ever since. Been meaning to tend to it, but it's just been low priority. That mirror is pretty much useless other than being able to make out some shapes in it. This gives me a good idea of what to look for and how to attack it.

Appreciate the post and welcome to the forum!

Thanks! My vibration was definitely caused by an impact of the mirror casing with a solid object. The rubber buffer pad fell off and one of the screws didn't hold properly anymore (stripped threads in the plastic). Before the repair, I could feel that little free play when wiggling the casing back and forth. It was so little that the vibration would start at higher speeds.

I hope my post will help you.

my cheap after market shake from the mirror itself and not the housing, but hope your post works for others.

Thanks Sundog.
I know, my scenario is very specific and this isn't the only cause of vibrating mirrors. Your case is definitely different. But if the mirror was hit and damaged a bit, I would definitely look at the joints.