2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Mirror Problem

[Big Rig]

I have a 2004 3500 Quad Cab. I bumped a post while backing out of a parking spot. The mirror looks normal & I can still tilt it up, down & sideways somewhat but the mirror now wobbles in the housing. The housing & the arm are ok. If you put your hand on the glass you can wobble it around. When driving, it shakes so much that it is hard seeing the cars behind me. Apparently something either broke or came loose behind the mirrow when I bumped the post. I would like to be able to take the glass out of the housing to see what the problem is but I have no idea how to do that. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks



Big Rig

 

[B.G. Smith]

If you have the flip up type mirrors try this, with the mirror flipped down (horizontal) tilt the glass all the way toward the cab, stick a thin piece of wood between the glass and the housing at the outer edge and pry toward the cab, glass should move slightly, tilt back all the way out and remove glass. bg

 

[ACoyle]

The mirror is held in with a large sort of wire snap ring. By tilting the mirror, you can get behind it and undo the ring, carefuly pry off the rubber boot and remove the mirror.

Al the tilting is done with plastic gimbal mounts. If nothing is broken, you can snap them all back together and put the mirror back. I havedone mine twice now.

 

[Big Rig]

I loosened the snap ring & pulled on the mirror. For the life of me, I can't see what the snap ring is holding. Anyway, I pulled the mirror out far enough so that I could take the boot off. Then I pulled on the mirror again & it came out. I can now see what the problem is. There is a gimbal in the middle but the mirror is held steady by a snap in piece on the top & bottom and each side of the mirror. Four pieces in the back of the mirror housing snaps into slots in the back side of the mirror itself. When I bumped the pole, two of the slots broke, leaving my mirror to wobble. It looks like I could remove the piece from the back of the mirror that has the slots but I sure can't figure out how to do it. Maybe it is not removable, I don't know. Anyone know about that?? Even after I get a new part I think it will be a struggle to get the boot reattached. I am thinking about letting the dealer do that, not sure yet. Does anyone know how difficult it is to reattach the boot? I am learning more about the mirror than I wanted to know... ... LOL. I have to get it fixed soon so I can use the truck.

Big Rig

 

[BigPapa]

You may get a bit more help in the 3rd Gen forum.

 

[Big Rig]

Yep, that is what I thought too. For some reason, the moderator moved me here.

I went to the dealer to see if they had the round part on the back of the glass that is broken & I was told that it was part of the whole mirror & I would have to buy a new mirror for $525. Well, I told him "no thanks". I may try some junk yards for the part but I think that is a long shot. I did find a parts place called AM AutoParts that has a complete aftermarket mirror for about $130. Not sure how good their replacements are. Has anyone ever used them??
It just amazed me that one of the most easily broken parts in the mirror can't be purchased separately. I would think the part could be made & sold for less than $25.
If anyone has an old power heated mirror that will fit my 2004 truck & can be mined for parts, give me a shout, or even a complete working mirror.

Big Rig

 

[Bill Lins]

It just amazed me that one of the most easily broken parts in the mirror can't be purchased separately.

The problem is that MOPAR doesn't make those mirrors- they buy them as complete assemblies from vendors and just aren't interested in stocking & selling parts for them.

 

[mwilson]

The problem is that MOPAR doesn't make those mirrors- they buy them as complete assemblies from vendors and just aren't interested in stocking & selling parts for them.

Yes, and to step back onto my soapbox for a minute... .



If you are going to offer a "half a million mile" plus powertrain these wear items need to be made available without having to buy the entire component.

Truck OEM's and vendors seem to make parts such as that actuator available and affordable. A customer should not have to spend several hundred dollars when a forty dollar actuator would repair the mirror.



Truck-Light makes this mirror assembly shown below for the Freightliner Cascadia truck, the actuator (Item # 4) sells for about $30. 00. The mirror unit is designed to be serviced if any component fails.



RAM, are you reading this???? Or would you prefer that a customer goes the aftermarket route and you lose the sale completely???? Spend all this time and effort improving your product and then turn peple off because small wear items are not available.



Jumping off the box now... ...

Mike.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Yes, and to step back onto my soapbox for a minute... .



If you are going to offer a "half a million mile" plus powertrain these wear items need to be made available without having to buy the entire component.

Truck OEM's and vendors seem to make parts such as that actuator available and affordable. A customer should not have to spend several hundred dollars when a forty dollar actuator would repair the mirror.



Truck-Light makes this mirror assembly shown below for the Freightliner Cascadia truck, the actuator (Item # 4) sells for about $30. 00. The mirror unit is designed to be serviced if any component fails.



RAM, are you reading this???? Or would you prefer that a customer goes the aftermarket route and you lose the sale completely???? Spend all this time and effort improving your product and then turn peple off because small wear items are not available.



Jumping off the box now... ...





View attachment 85776



Mike.

Mike,



You just pointed out the glaring difference between the car (and light truck) business where glitz and gadgets sell and the commercial truck business which relies on strictly total lowest cost of ownership. Commercial trucks are production machines to make money for their owners and not a ride to impress their friends and neighbors. I have always been amazed observing the vast difference between two types businesses.



Bill

 

[Big Rig]

I have been checking all over town to see if anyone had the parts available from an old mirror & no luck. I have decided to order the complete mirror from 1A Auto. It seems to look just like the OE mirror. I will call them to confirm that. I need to get it repaired now because I am taking the truck & camper out in 2 weeks. 1A Auto has a video on You Tube showing how to replace the mirror. It looks very simple using basic tools. Doesn't look like it would take me more than 45 minutes at the most. I am not the most mechanical person so I am hoping all goes well.

Big Rig

 

[Big Rig]

I got the mirror the next day after I ordered it from 1A Auto. Just so happens they have a warehouse about 7 miles from home. I had to go out & buy a T40 tool to remove a screw & a 10 mm deep socket to remove the mirror nuts. The mirror looked exactly like the original, can't tell the difference if they are side by side. It was really a piece of cake to replace the mirror. I didn't realize how easy it was to take the door panel off with just a few simple tools. Everything is re-assembled & it looks real good. I am very glad I stumbled across the 1A Auto video on You Tube. I guess I would still be looking for the bad part if I hadn't gone this route. I figured I saved $420 by not buying the mirror from the dealer & probably another $100 by replacing it myself. Now I can load my camper & head on down the road as planned.

Big Rig