Inner panel, right mirror -- how to remove?

[rose99]

Some idiot broke the shell around my right mirror on my Sentra SE 2001. Had to buy an entire replacement mirror (since they don't sell the just the shell). Paid $82 to have it painted too!

Can't afford to have a mechanic install the thing, plus, parts guy said all I had to do was snap out the little panel near the mirror on the inside of the door, undo the old mirror, plug the new one in, etc.

Problem is step 1 -- I can't "snap out" the panel!

Does anyone know if it actually snaps out, or is there something else I need to do??

As I said, I can't pay the mechanic to install the mirror -- especially if it's something I can do for myself. Please help.

Gratefully,

Rose99

[sr20de4evr]

what panel is it? (too lazy to go out to my car and check)

I've practically taken my entire car apart when working on audio, maybe I know how to take off that panel.

[rose99]

Hi Sr20!

Thanks for replying. It's the little panel right where the mirror attaches, but on the inside. The one you have to remove to get to the bolts that hold the mirror on. I'm trying to replace the broken mirror. (Right side power mirror.)

I was told that the panel snaps right off, but I try & try & can't do it. I don't want to break the panel....

[sr20de4evr]

ok I looked at a couple of pics on my car and it looks like you need to remove the little plastic panel that sits in the front corner of the window. I've never had to remove this piece, but assuming it's like everything else in this car, it just snaps off. I'm not sure if taking off the door panel would help, but it couldn't hurt. May let you get a different angle on it or something. If you want to try here is how to take off the door panel:

1) use a flathead screwdriver and push straight up on the door handle/pocket piece to pop it up
2) use your hand to just pop up the piece with the window and door lock controls and unplug it
3) take out the 2 screws you can now see
4) take out the screw on the bottom of the door panel, just look down there or feel for a ridge in the door panel
5) take out the little plastic wannabe-screw on part of the door panel closest to the hinges
6) use a flathead screwdriver to remove the trim around the door handle carefully
7) grab the holes where the handle and window controls used to be and pull it straight off of the door
8) after all of the snaps are off, move the panel straight up to get it off of the ridge on the top of the door

edit: haha, looks like you posted while I was typing. I think we're talking about the same panel

[rose99]

Thanks for the help, SR2. I appreciate it. I managed to get the panel by the mirror off, but I'll have to remove the door panel to get to the piece where the mirror plugs in -- so your info will come in handy. Thanks again.

-- Rose