replacing driver's side mirror, errrgh!!

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Sep 20, 2010 | 09:53 AM

Gary79

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From: Quincy IL

replacing driver's side mirror, errrgh!!

my drivers's side mirror has the dreaded "chromatic" or whatever it's called fluid bleed or leak. it wasn't too bad, about the top 1/2" of the mirror affected, but I got caught in a major rain storm a week ago or so. and now half of the fluid is gone, I can only see out the bottom half of the mirror.

so I call my old buddy at local Chebby dealership, basically part is no longer available, and he sends the request to GM and they do a dealer search for the part. I had hoped to keep my 01 completely stock with original parts, and noow that is in doubt. I can still get the regular glass mirrors. it just kind of pisses me off, and GM used this same mirror on lots of their vehicles. might print me off a list of vehicles that used part # 12455610 and hit the junk yard.

Sep 20, 2010 | 10:01 AM

DeeGee

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Have you tried one of the used parts vendors on the Forum? There are some links down the left hand side of C5 General

Sep 20, 2010 | 10:18 AM

Gary79

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From: Quincy IL

haven't looked at all of them yet. I usually get a great deal from my friend, so I always call him first. zip wants $250, another is $188, my buddy quoted me $197. ecklers will sell you a stick on mirror for $50 tape included (woohoo!!!)

Sep 20, 2010 | 02:43 PM

DeeGee

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Or WalMart for $5

Sep 20, 2010 | 10:53 PM

Gary79

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checked a few vendors online, strictly online, no phone calls. most say "ships in 1-2 weeks, special order" and one site, says once its ordered there is no canceling the order. not a big fan of that, I mean what if it takes 6 months, I'm locked in. these mirrors where also used on 03-06 bravada, envoys, SSR, trailblazers.

Sep 20, 2010 | 10:55 PM

Vetteman Jack

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Good luck - never heard of that problem and sure hope it never happens to mine.

Sep 21, 2010 | 11:51 AM

BrentSc

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From: Whitby

I was in the same boat as you (failure of chromatic mirror). As opposed to going the replacement of same type, I ordered the standard side mirror from Gene. It was $69 (IIRC), direct replacement. The only issue is the mirror is not tint active, but with tinted windows on my C5, it was a non issue to begin with.

Regards, Brent

Sep 23, 2010 | 09:12 AM

Gary79

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From: Quincy IL

my dealership bud came thru. he got one in about 3 pm yesterday, I picked it up, came home and installed it. taking the old one out was easy, installing the new one per the instructions was impossible. I eventually installed the two shafts that move the mirror onto the back of the mirror first, then lined it all up and it snapped together. btw, there is no glass in the mirror just plastic shiny film. using a 2" x 3" block covered with a towel to push on the center of the mirror made me nervous. pushing on the very part that is the weakest and could leak was daunting. bottom line, with Il state tax inc, $210. hope I never have to do that again. btw, Magna Mirror is the manufacturer of these mirrors.

Last edited by Gary79; Sep 23, 2010 at 11:07 AM.