gmccreary

Anyone know how to easily remove the OEM rearview mirror from a C5Z? I don't want to break the windshield. TIA.

travisnd

FSM 8-827

Rearview Mirror Replacement (Base)

Removal Procedure
1. Disconnect the inside rearview mirror electrical connector.
2. Loosen the mirror mount tension screw
3. Slide the mirror up off the mirror bracket

FSM 8-828

Rearview Mirror Replacement (DD8)

Removal Procedure
1. Remove the electrical connector from the back of the inside rearview mirror.
Important: Do NOT pull rearward on the mirror while removing the mirror or damage to the support and/or windshield will occur.
2. Rock the mirror from side to side pushing upward firmly. An audible click is heard when the inside rearview mirror is releasing from the support.
3. Remove the inside rearview mirror support


If it's any encouragement I cracked my windshield taking mine out It was already messed up, but I did it in 100% yanking on the mirror.

gmccreary

What's the difference between base and DD8?

BERETTA

DD8 = Electrochromic inside mirror, auto dimming feature.

I don't know what you are doing for the inside rear view, but I originally removed the stock mirror and went with an All View mounted to the roll cage tube that goes across at the top of the windshield, I never was happy with that, then I tried one with about 5 angled mirrors all the way across. didn't like that either. I finally ended up with an IO Port Panaramic mirror the fits onto the stock mirror, ($19.95) I can see much better than anything else I tried. I really think it has to do with the placement of the mirror- the original location puts the mirror further away from me than the roll cage bar did, plus i think that GM is pretty smart knowing where a mirror should be

gmccreary

Dennis,
I got the 17" Longacre mirror for Christmas.

TLGunman

I don't encourage anyone to try this, but I removed the mirror, and bonded to the glass metal thing, from my Ranger in 1989 or so. I removed the mirror, then put a vice grip on the metal piece, and slow tried to twist it. I knew adhesives were either strong in tension, or shear, and since the mirror was hanging from the tab, I speculated this adhesive was the tension type. After a little twisting, I heard a *pop*, and it was off the glass, clean as a whistle, and no glass breakage.

Either I got lucky, or I was right about the type of adhesive...maybe both.

BERETTA

Nice present! I would try to mount it as far away from you as possible (toward the windshield) it really helped widen the rear view for me. But I guess your seat location will affect this as well. Congrats on the roll cage

travisnd

Being taller I love having my Longacre mirror up high. It does take some getting used to after so many miles in street Corvettes with the OEM mirror. In a street car I have to look down to try and look under the mirror vs. now it's up out of the way.



I think I saw where Dennis mounted his to the top of the OEM windshield frame with some brackets and that looked like a good setup too.

Jason

I left the stock mirror in place. My wide angle mirror (like Brian's) hangs down from the cage and blocks the stock mirror. Adjusted correctly, it's about all I really use.

gmccreary

But couldn't I save 17.5 ounces by removing the stock mirror?

travisnd

Yes... every little bit adds up to a bunch.

sperkins

Remove the mirror - Leave the tab.

bluemagoo

Call up a windshield repair shop. They remove and replace mirrors all the time. I'm sure they could provide you with some info.

travisnd

What info? I just quoted the factory service manual. You pull/push up (along the angle of the windshield) while rocking the mirror up and down in a side to side motion. The FSM has a nice picture of how to do this.

96CollectorSport

Hammer + chisel = that should get it off!
You can still race with a cracked windshield right?

Bill Dearborn

I didn't pull on my mirror. I was rocking it from side to side while pushing upward and the audible click I heard was the crack of the windshield as the mirror released from the mount. Maybe I pushed too hard but after I had the windshield replaced I had a base mirror mount glued to the windshield that I used to add a base C5 mirror. By moving the mount slightly downward and to the right of the other one I was able to use both mirrors to see past the rollbar hoop.

Bill

brkntrxn

Greg,

As you know, I just went through all of this. Here is what I did:

- Long needle nose pliers
- From the bottom, use the pliers to compress the spring. You can see it from outside of the windshield.
- Slightly rock the mirror left to right as you pull upwards towards the roof.

What you are trying to do is compress the spring clip enough to get the two small bumps in the spring to slide past the mount glued to the windshield.


-Kevin

gmccreary

Thanks Kevin

sperkins

My bad - I thought you were trying to remove the metal tab. Didn't know you were talking about the actual mirror.

bluemagoo

Yes, that's what I thought too - the last step on the service manual list: 3. Remove the inside rearview mirror support.

That mounting tab is glued onto the windshield pretty well! Better off leaving it there than chancing a cracked windshhield me thinks.