Thanks. With your advice, I successfully repair the driver side side view mirror of the 2002 Infiniti QX4.
I use a wide blade plastic scraper to ply from the bottom of the mirror. Any wide blade type should work. Plastic preferred to prevent scratch.
The mirror assembly has plastic reinforcement in its back side for strength. My side view mirror has 2 wires too, for dimming.
The mirror assembly is held to the motorized plate by 4 clips (one each corner). The clips hold on to 4 horizontal round rods on the motor assembly. This secures the mirror assembly to the motorized plate. (The motorized plate moves the mirror.) There are sticky thick gooey silicone grease surrounding the center of the motorized plate, to protect the motor head from water. Do NOT clean out the sticky gooey grease. Leave it alone.
Here is how I remove the mirror assembly:
1, Masking tape the entire edge of the side view mirror system. Also, masking tape the mirror edge as well.
1. Ply out slowly, at bottom corners, one at a time, using the edge of side view mirror assembly as leverage. Masking tape prevents scratch.
2. When hear a click and feels slight release, the clip at the corner maybe released. Move to the next bottom corner and ply.
3. Ply alternately between the 2 bottom corners, and slowly, until the bottom of the mirror is loose.
4. Wear glove. Use your hand, holding the bottom of mirror, slowly tilt upwards and out (toward you), to loosen the two top clips.
5. Remove mirror assembly. Do not pull out too far. There are 2 wires attached. Tape or hang the mirror to the side.
In my case, the motor assembly is cracked at several places. The motor assembly still works. (Meaning? It is loosy loose. The mirror shakes quite a bit when the car moves.)
Incidentally, do not use Crazy Glue or equivalent. The entire side view mirror assembly is actually porous Aluminum alloy, not plastic, though it looks like plastic. Crazy Glue cannot glue this porous Aluminum. (Yes, I tried.).
I use 5-minute epoxy. Works great. I apply glue to cracks of the motor assembly. When they dry, I then add metal strips to crack areas for added strength.
On the cracks of the outer shell, I first apply epoxy from the inside. This way glues it back to proper shape. Then I glue metal strips at crack areas from the inside for strength.
Wait 24 hours or more until the epoxy cures completely. Snap the mirror assembly on to the motor assembly.
Result:
The mirror does not shake any more.
The outer shell still shows the 2 cracks because paint is off along the cracks. Not too noticeable though.
I later apply a fine line clear silicone glue on the outside along cracks, to against moisture. This is optional, as it may make the cracks more noticeable. I decide not to paint it.
Saturday, June 15th, 2013 AT 2:36 AM