E30 Side Mirror Disassembly.

[Das Boots]

Would like to know the proper way or a link on the proper dissambly of a side mirror. I tried to do one and ended up a disaster. I need the internals in one piece or in working order. This is for a related project using the internals. Any help would be appreciated. Please email me at golfrako@sbcglobal.net if you have any information. Thanks to all.

[whiltebeitel]

DO you mean removing the mirror itself or taking it off the car?

[SpecM]

I think he means the motor assembly inside the mirror

[xLibelle]

I too have destroyed one, but by that point, i knew what was up. You should know by now as well.

The back of the mirror is a circular lock ring, sitting flat against the back, like a washer.
With a small flathead, you rotate this ring by not only prying like a lever, but pulling/pushing the lock ring. Its not entirely difficult to release, it just takes finding the right direction to go in.
Once moved, the mirror will fall out.

The rest of the motor assembly is held in by 4 screws. In order to remove this, you have to release the wires running to it. (and those 4 screws)
Other than that, there is nothing else that can be done with these mirrors.

The motor assembly is composed of only one motor and a clutch. Obviously, the motor drives up/down and left/right, but switches between the two with the clutch... which i think is actually a relay, in which the electromechanical device is the cause for clutch movement.
The exact same motor unit can be found in other various cars too, if you happen to be in a junk yard and cant find an e30. Saab, to mention one.

[Das Boots]

Will continue to examine what that retainer ring you mentioned to release the mirror. But I do notice some plastic with teeth. Which I think is the one you mentioned holding the mirror. Thanks.

[whiltebeitel]

That's the one.

[direction88]

Will continue to examine what that retainer ring you mentioned to release the mirror. But I do notice some plastic with teeth. Which I think is the one you mentioned holding the mirror. Thanks.

Please post some pics for us? I would like a step by step myself.

[maco325e]

http://e30.bmwdiy.info/mirror-repair/index.html There You go.

[transatlantic0207]

Thanks!!!

[guibo09]

so i need to paint my black mirrors silver. any tips on how to paint them so that i dont end up with a bunch of unpainted black area at the hinge?

[ethirtydavid]

make sure you are rotating counter clockwise

[madformx5]

This is just the thread I am looking for. Last night I was driving my car for a bit after I changed my power steering fluid. I was going down the road and heard a thunk but I had no ideal where it had come from until a few minutes later. When I stopped to talked to a kid with another e30 we were looking at our cars and I saw what the noise had been. My passenger side mirror had fallen out of the housing. Fortunately with the help of this thread I have pulled one out of my parts car and will install it in the morning. As I have said in the past, "you gotta love a parts car." Thanks.

[xLibelle]

Note, when locking the mirror back into place, dont just stop when its tight from smooth rotation of the locking ring, it believe it has to click. If it doesnt click, there is a possibility that over time, the ring loosen and mirror will fall out.

[OnMy2ndE30]

i totally look for the same thing. i really dont want to touch any of the damage part of my car but my dad told me to look for the proper disassemble of my mirror.

Huh??????

[frankie591]

Is the rotation counterclockwise when looking at the mirror side (rear of car), or the plastic side (front of car)?