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Passenger side mirror repair

6.4K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  johnre  
#1 ·
My right side mirror got clipped, and some of the plastic is broken(pictures attached), but it still functions fine.

When I asked for a repair quote, they are charging $350 for the part and $200 for installation. However, I found the part online at the subaru.oempartsonline.com (complete link below) for $216. I have a few questions:

  1. Is the Subaru OEM website legitimate and safe to order from?
  2. Is the part with the code 91036AN53A the correct one?
  3. What is the typical cost for replacement and labor to install the mirror?
  4. Are there any DIY videos that show how to install it myself?
  5. What is the cheapest way to get this fixed
 

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#2 ·
It appears that the part number you're looking at is the bottom half of the complete mirror assembly, marked (1). I can't tell if your damage is mainly the cover, part (5) which comes unpainted.

Image


Another source that's cheaper would be our forum sponsor @subaruonlineparts and they offer a special discount code to forum members if you ask for one.

For the parts marked (1) it would be


If all you need is the cover (5), then it's:


 
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#4 ·
I'm not sure - it might only come as that assembly even though they show it exploded into separate parts.
 
#6 ·
  1. 3. What is the typical cost for replacement and labor to install the mirror
  2. 5.What is the cheapest way to get this fixed
Sorry to hear about your problem. Regarding question number 3. Several years ago my wife clipped passenger side mirror on Acura RDX when getting out of our garage. Probably got too close to the wall. We took it to Acura dealer and they replace the mirror for something close to $550. They had to get a replacement part, but it took about a day, no big deal, and they got it in exact same color as the broken one. I had no mirror replacement experience with any other of my cars. So for me, $550 for everything that was quoted to you, parts and labor, sounds in the correct ballpark. Also, discussion in this forum shows that the price of the replacement part is 60% to 70% of the total cost, so there is not too much that you can save, if you go with a new part.

Regarding question number 5, the cheapest way to repair, if it works, is to glue the broken parts together with epoxy and fiberglass mesh tape. It will look ugly but repair will cost next to nothing. The second cheapest way is to look for replacement mirror on eBay. There are quite a few businesses there who take apart totaled vehicles and sell parts which still can be salvaged. You can get a mirror for $100 to $200 probably but it may take time until you find the right one, and shipment will also take time and money.

Somehow, it boils down to the question how much satisfaction the process of DIY repair brings you, and how much your free time is worth. Also, how old is your car and to which extent you care about perfection in repair.
 
#9 ·
"WTF is wrong with people?"

People, including me (yes!), get complacent. I was a Metro Transit driver in Seattle for sixteen years. Preventable accident rates there peaked for drivers with five to six years experience. I had a few, including knocking off a mirror (my own).

I've been pulling the same car in and out of the same garage for seven years. I still eye the mirrors and look right, left, right while slowly entering and give it twice that many looks while v-e-r-y slowly exiting. So far so good, but what about tomorrow?
 
#11 ·
Is the Subaru OEM website legitimate and safe to order from?
- lots of online vendors that are actually dealerships - subaruonlineparts.com is one that's active on this site (ping them and they help with shipping costs, too)
Is the part with the code 91036AN53A the correct one?
looks correct for a 23-25 Outback limited - doesn't include the mirror scalp (painted part), lower trim piece, or glass, so you'll need to transfer those over (or replace if they are damaged)
What is the typical cost for replacement and labor to install the mirror?
I would think an hour or so of labor - it's not hard - so maybe a couple hundred?
Are there any DIY videos that show how to install it myself?
there are a bunch on youtube that show how to remove/install a mirror
What is the cheapest way to get this fixed
DIY with new parts, or if you can find a used assembly, that might be cheaper