Side Mirrors - 98 1500

[DaSarge]

Well, a neighbor clipped my driver side mirror. Can anyone suggest where I might get this usually $300+ component at a better price?

And is its installation so hard that an idiot like me shouldn't try?

Thanks!

[east302]

I did a quick search on ebay and see several aftermarket mirrors in the $30-$60 range. Some are heated, some are not, but it looks like they all include the wiring harness. I've bought one for my Tahoe before and had no problems...you couldn't tell the difference between the dealer part.

To remove the mirror, unsnap/pull off the plastic triangle-shaped piece on the inside of the door. This will expose the bolts (I think there are three) that hold the mirror to the door. There's also a wiring harness, just unclip that. It shouldn't take ten minutes and you can definitely save some money over the dealer part.

Good luck, hope this helps.

[DaSarge]

Thanks!! There is hope for me yet.

[bcleeper]

Be very careful with "cheap" mirrors. I have replaced both side mirrors (I know I am an idiot because I broke them both backing out of hte garage) and the side I spent $50 on ebay vibrates badly, while the side I spent $125 at the auto supplier is rock solid. I went with the auto supplier because they had the mirror in stock and I was able to see how it was built. I would look at any major auto parts supplier and expect to pay >$100. You can always go back if it vibrates. Return policy on ebay is risky at best.

[east302]

Bcleeper makes a good point. Now that I think of it, the replacement mirror that I bought did vibrate a little (the glass that is). To me, it wasn't that big a deal since it was on the passenger side, but it is something to consider. Since your mirror is on the driver side (and you're more likely to notice vibration) you may be better off spending a little more.

[DaSarge]

Thanks to you both. Is it permissable in this forum to ask which supplier you like? I found a bunch.

[east302]

I looked back and the seller was "carpartswholesale". I didn't have any problems with them.

The mirror I bought was for a 2000 new-style Tahoe. The wife knocked the crud out of it backing out of the garage. Looking back, it was actually funny with the mirror glass hanging down from the wires and the side of the garage all banged up.

I think the replacement was around $70. For the price, I thought it was acceptable. Though it did sometimes have a tremor in the glass during driving, to me it wasn't worth spending $200-300 at the dealership. I would do it again.

[idmetro]

You might also consider getting a used one from a wrecking yard. http://car-part.com/ will let you search wrecking yards in your state/area.