Rear View Mirror

[sonofabrit]

Hello,

I have a 2010 Ford Focus Titanium and the rear view mirror has fell off under my Wife's hands. I have disconnected it and scraped off the bonding glue from the windscreen and the mirror.

However I am looking at the best way to get this reattached without it falling off in the near future. The mirror is pretty heavy and I have been to Ford dealership and they said the plastic base in the metal holder should come out so the plastic can be bonded back to the windscreen without the weight of the mirror. They say it should just twist out.... I have had a good twist and turn off it and tried lightly prying it out with a screwdriver but it isn't budging. Without getting too forceful with it, was wondering if anyone has done this before?

I have added some photos in case it helps.

Any help would be great!

Thanks

[sonofabrit]

Well, i managed to get the Black metal top off with a closer look it appears to be held in by three metal clips. I just pried it up with a screwdriver. As a test before I go and put it on the windscreen I can't seem to get it back into the silver housing... :(.

As before any one done this?

Thanks again.

[Micro]

Seems strange, my mirror is clipped onto a metal bracket which appears to be totally bonded into the glass. When you remove the mirror you have a rounded wedge shape clip left on the windscreen

Have you tried asking any body shops or glass specialists for an adhesive suitable for such a purpose?

[sonofabrit]

Hi Micro,

Thanks for your input. I have added two more pictures. This is the round metal bracket that I managed to lift up out of the silver metal holder. I thought the black circle was plastic when it was still attached in the first place but is actually metal.

The wedge part that you describe is it the same as in my additional pictures? I have tried to put this back into the mirror whilst it is still off and I am having great difficulty. It will easily fit in the gaps of the wedge but am unable to turn it the quarter it needs to be back to its original position.

I have a windscreen guy coming over tomorrow who has some special bonding stuff that should do the trick. I am just worried by putting the round bracket back on the windscreen, having it bond there for a day or two and then be unable to put the mirror back on :). When you are taking yours off, is just a simply twist?

Thanks again. Any clarification let me know :)

[Micro]

No, mine slides on and off from the top, it's a completely different bracket! (The mind boggles!). Have you got auto wipers/lights?

The bracket bonded to the windscreen looks like one of these: with the little metal edges on the outside - the mirror then slots over them.

[sonofabrit]

Completely different. Yes, have auto lights and wipers, its an auto dim mirror as well...

adding one more photo of the inside of the mirror metal holder; where the black round wedge came from.

[bazm]

Hi Sonofabrit,

I have exactly the same problem and its my wife's car! Anyway my garage got autoglass to glue the metal disc to the windscreen but it couldn't hold the mirror (which is rather heavy) and it fell straight off, even after allowing a few days curing.

How did you get your mirror back on the windscreen? My garage (not a Ford dealer) thought the only way was to replace the windscreen!!

Help!!

[sonofabrit]

Hi ya,

I managed to get mine back on. I went to a windscreen place and they used a two part bonding solution from Loctite, basically metal to glass glue that was put on the back of the metal disc and then a aersol spray activator they put on the windscreen. Did it for free too :) bonus.

Stuck the metal disc on, held it for about 3-5 minutes. I let it it dry for a few hours before sticking the mirror back on.

You definitely do not need to replace the windscreen, that is just ridiculous.

You need to make sure the metal disc is clean of any grease and any residual glue that was from the original bond. Also make sure the glass is clean as well in the same manner.

Hope that helps :)

[bazm]

Thats very helpful. First windscreen repair place had never heard of the problem and said it would be expensive! Found another windscreen repair place and they confirmed your technique and said not uncommon in Fords, BMWs and Audi. Cost £20. Materials used Loctite 319 with 4649 activator.

Many thanks