Hi all,

I never thought it could be so difficult to replace the glass.   Some prick decided to smash into driver's side mirror whilst I was parked on the road (close to kerb no less) and thought it was fine to drive off (needless to say I wasn't in the vehicle at the time).   Sign of the times in terms of majority of road users nowadays.

Anyway, I'm no closer to replacing.  I can't find any decent youtube video for my car.   I ordered the glass from Ebay and thought it would be simple, but it doesn't fit despite my car being a 2017 (mk3 I'm guessing?).    I've tried several times and there is no way it will fit.  I have seen some videos where a metal piece (about two inches long) is needed but no idea if that's the case for my car.

If anyone might be able to provide a decent 'how to' I'd be really grateful as it simply isn't safe driving it at present for obvious reasons.     Link to the part I ordered is below but going back to the seller to complain.   Car has been sitting a while now so just want to get it sorted.

I've replaced the whole wing mirror unit myself in the past when a van smashed into it (whilst I was in stationary traffic, again the prick didn't stop) and never thought that replacing the glass could be more difficult than when doing the whole unit.

Thanks in advance.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143348639346?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20240131095853%26meid%3D946605e2d2f14616887a464cedce13c4%26pid%3D101949%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D143348639346%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DRecentlyViewedItemsV2WithMLRPbooster_BP&_trksid=p4375194.c101949.m162918&_trkparms=parentrq%3Ad9dedd831930a72879c0fe96ffffc112|pageci%3Aa5419623-bd40-11ef-a6c7-eae7bee84ad2|iid%3A1|vlpname%3Avlp_homepage

13 minutes ago, pdg33 said:

... but it doesn't fit despite my car being a 2017 (mk3 I'm guessing?).

Can you clarify, what doesn't fit? Is the mirror glass too big, or too small, or the wrong shape, or the backing plastic mounting plate a mis-match of your mirror grab plate?

It just pushes on.  No spring clip needed on these.

That one looks particularly poor quality.  I would remove the blob of glue in the middle for a start.  But I suspect the plastic moulding isn't to spec either.

 

6 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

It just pushes on.  No spring clip needed on these.

That one looks particularly poor quality.

Also, the Ebay electrical heated connector doesn't look right?

1 minute ago, StephenFord said:

Also, the Ebay electrical heated connector doesn't look right?

I thought that too but if you zoom in it's just a direct 'overhead' picture obscuring the vertical part of the connector.

31 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Can you clarify, what doesn't fit? Is the mirror glass too big, or too small, or the wrong shape, or the backing plastic mounting plate a mis-match of your mirror grab plate?

The backing plate doesn't fit at all.

21 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

It just pushes on.  No spring clip needed on these.

That one looks particularly poor quality.  I would remove the blob of glue in the middle for a start.  But I suspect the plastic moulding isn't to spec either.

 

Then are you able to point me in the direction of one that is to spec whilst I seek a refund from the ebay seller?      Nothing to do with the glue

16 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I thought that too but if you zoom in it's just a direct 'overhead' picture obscuring the vertical part of the connector.

Couldn't tell you but I need to get a part that actually fits - hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction whilst I seek a refund from the seller?

I'm also assuming there will be a pair of wires in the mirror housing somewhere that need connecting (unless they too have been smashed / pulled off by the car that hit the mirror).  Can't recall seeing them but then I wasn't looking properly and was more concerned about actually getting the mirror to fit, which it doesn't.

As you didn't pick up the debris from the impact, are you sure the motor is still there?

That's what the mirror connects to?

Post a picture of your door mirror

My 2016 ST250 looks like this:

 

16 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

...are you sure the motor is still there?

1 hour ago, DaveT70 said:

As you didn't pick up the debris from the impact, are you sure the motor is still there?

That's what the mirror connects to?

Post a picture of your door mirror

Where did I say I didn't pick up the debris - ?     I picked up the smashed mirror and took it home - couldn't see anything else on the ground.

1 hour ago, StephenFord said:

 

If the motor is the round part then yes, it is still there.    I don't have the white plastic plug from the guy's ST above.

 

Where can I get a decent replacement?   Can anyone link to one?

The best option is just to go to a Ford dealer.  There are so many choices in the parts catalogue that I can't be sure to link you the correct one.

I' m not sure I would want to pay Ford prices for a tiny bit of glass.     I replaced the entire unit for a fraction of the cost of a new one at Ford (bought on ebay) so I was hoping that I would be able to find something similar for just the glass.

 

Can anyone else help?

30 minutes ago, pdg33 said:

I' m not sure I would want to pay Ford prices for a tiny bit of glass.

A quick search online seems to price a genuine Ford mirror glass at about £35, surely it's worth it to save all the current hassle you are currently experiencing?

42 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

A quick search online seems to price a genuine Ford mirror glass at about £35, surely it's worth it to save all the current hassle you are currently experiencing?

 

I had looked into that myself even before reading your post, so yes - I'm in agreement there.

I will be pursuing a refund from the other seller.    Are you referring to the Ford shop website?     Not sure if that price is delivered though (I doubt it) and doesn't seem like an option to even specify which side for it either but I'm sure I could email them or something.

 

 

5 minutes ago, pdg33 said:

 Are you referring to the Ford shop website?     Not sure if that price is delivered

I've ordered a few bits from them, delivery was included in all cases...

Free Delivery 👍

Ford finis code 1711137 £40.20

https://shop.ford.co.uk/products/focus-focus-estate-n-s-left-wing-mirror-glass-1?

 

2 hours ago, unofix said:

Free Delivery 👍

Ford finis code 1711137 £40.20

https://shop.ford.co.uk/products/focus-focus-estate-n-s-left-wing-mirror-glass-1?

 

Many thanks, although it's the off side I require...presumably they will do these as well.

I'll have a look.

It's 4x the price but I'll no doubt have paid that anyhow by the time I find a reliable Ebay one that fits - which probably won't happen based on what people have said here?

Can I just clarify - does anything need plugging in (presumably there will be two small wires or is this not the case on my model, 17 plate?)?

Thanks again.

16 hours ago, pdg33 said:

Where did I say I didn't pick up the debris - ?     I picked up the smashed mirror and took it home - couldn't see anything else on the ground.

Just responding to your post, as you wrote it

 

18 hours ago, pdg33 said:

Some prick decided to smash into driver's side mirror whilst I was parked on the road (close to kerb no less) and thought it was fine to drive off (needless to say I wasn't in the vehicle at th

Thanks anyway, I'm out

with these things always best to ensure the brittle joke plastic is warm... do it at 7C and it may well crack something

warm to 45C and it will go easier
put a little lube around the clips to get things sliding over each other
always push with a decent rag spreading the load of your fingers
always push in the area where its strongest and where the clips are resisting it slipping in to place

13 hours ago, pdg33 said:

Many thanks, although it's the off side I require...presumably they will do these as well.

I'll have a look.

It's 4x the price but I'll no doubt have paid that anyhow by the time I find a reliable Ebay one that fits - which probably won't happen based on what people have said here?

Can I just clarify - does anything need plugging in (presumably there will be two small wires or is this not the case on my model, 17 plate?)?

Thanks again.

The linked glass wasn't heated either...  Told you there were a lot of options!    (£40 for non heated glass does seem excessive.)

Was your replacement mirror base a good used one or was it aftermarket?  If aftermarket, it may have a slightly different mirror mounting.

If you've got heated mirrors, which I think all Mk3's except the very lowest trim (Style iirc) will have, then there are two small wires to push on to two small posts on the back of the glass.

It may be the most financially viable option to buy another good used full mirror from ebay, then you can use the glass and motor if needed, and also have a frame spare for next time it gets knocked off...

6 hours ago, DaveT70 said:

Just responding to your post, as you wrote it

 

Thanks anyway, I'm out

You've misinterpreted this unfortunately.     If you have interpreted '...thought it was fine to drive off'  as me doing that, then you're wrong.   I was referring to the d*ckh**d that smashed into it (I did say that I wasn't in the vehicle at the time, so maybe you hadn't read that part).

4 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The linked glass wasn't heated either...  Told you there were a lot of options!    (£40 for non heated glass does seem excessive.)

Was your replacement mirror base a good used one or was it aftermarket?  If aftermarket, it may have a slightly different mirror mounting.

If you've got heated mirrors, which I think all Mk3's except the very lowest trim (Style iirc) will have, then there are two small wires to push on to two small posts on the back of the glass.

It may be the most financially viable option to buy another good used full mirror from ebay, then you can use the glass and motor if needed, and also have a frame spare for next time it gets knocked off...

that's a very good point.

it was an aftermarket complete mirror unit to save £££ on buying a Ford one.

is it likely that the Ford glass (from Ford website) won't fit this as well?    can't understand why it wouldn't but now you mention it, unsure really whether to order the Ford glass in this instance.