Re-installing rear view mirror help

[The Mangonel]

Help! I popped my rear view mirror off, and can't figure out how to reinstall it. What I've got is: one metal ring with four dog-ears in the center, one spring, one plastic cover and the mirror and post. Apparently the metal ring slides into the mount that is on the windshield. The problem I have is how the metal ring and spring are attached to the mirror post so that they can slide into the mount. I've tried, but can't figure it out. :think: Anyone have any experience or knowledge of what I need to do?
I'd hate to have to go to the dealer with this minor problem. It would probably cost me a fortune to fix. So if anyone can help, I'd appreciate it.
:help:

[Scooterboy]

Using a Torx driver (size unknown) loosen the screw that holds the metal spring clip (the metal ring with four dog-ears). After it is loose slide it back into the mount (on the windshield) and tighten the Torx screw. That should do it.

[repiv]

Hope this helps:

Here's what it looks like when it's in one piece:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=153894&md=1
The big Phillips screw holds the spring and disc in place. See the 3rd picture for the screw you loosen and tighten to mount onto windshield.

The disc thing above the spring slides into the slot here:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=153893&md=1

This is the screw that must be a bit loose to begin with before the disc will slide into the slot:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=153892&md=1
Once the mirror is on squarely on the windshield, tighten this screw to hold it on. Then replace the black plastic cover (which is already installed in this picture).

[Scooterboy]

Using a Torx driver (size unknown) loosen the screw that holds the metal spring clip (the metal ring with four dog-ears). After it is loose slide it back into the mount (on the windshield) and tighten the Torx screw. That should do it.

After seeing the picture I realized that I was wrong on the Torx driver. That was my new mirror. It should have been a Phillips screw driver. Thank goodness we have repiv to keep us straight.

[The Mangonel]

Okay, I've got the picture. Unfortunately, neither of those screws will budge. Even using a two handed press, I can't get them to move and I don't want to strip them. I even WD40'd them. What now? I suppose I can try the dealership and see if they can remove them.

[repiv]

Hmmm ....................... The big screw on the underside, as long as the spring and disc is intact, shouldn't need to be turned. It just holds the spring and disc assembly in place. It the smaller screw on the outside that needs to move. Sounds like that thing somehow unscrewed a little and then seized up. That's probably why the thing fell off. When the outside screw is turned the spring/disc assembly should come out a bit from the housing, giving it a bit of room to slide the dise into the windshield bracket. Concentrate on the outside screw. You may have to put it into a vise (wrapped in a cloth and the plastic cover removed) so you can push hard into the small screw to try and turn it. If it's really seized, I don't know what else to tell you that will help you out. Since you've sprayed with WD40 already, go and try it again now that it's had some time to work in. Spray it again from the inside - get it under the spring and disc. Good luck.

[The Mangonel]

I finally gave up trying to get the screw to break loose. Even using two hands to twist wouldn't break it free. I even tried tightening it first, just to get it to move. Nothing. So I took it to the dealership and they had a mechanic work on it. He had to grasp the larger, inside screw with something like a pipe wrench. The teeth really cut into the screw. They did finally get everything dissassembled though. It seems that it is a right hand screw! Anyhow, long story short, when they got it all reassembled, it would still come apart when trying to insert it into the part mounted to the windshield. The dog ears must have gotten bent a bit when the mirror popped off because it could not be grabbed by the inside screw tight enough to hold. So they had to order a new inside screw and a new plate. We'll see what happens next week.
Option 2, hey repiv, I read where you installed a rear view camera! I've got one on the Odyssey, maybe next- the S.:D

[repiv]

Option 2, hey repiv, I read where you installed a rear view camera! I've got one on the Odyssey, maybe next- the S.:D
Yes, it's a nice touch but it's only good for backing up into a things. For actual rear view work, it's just too wide angle, so you don't see much beyond about 30 feet. Things are really small and indistinct.

An after thought: Since you are having the button removed from the windshield, why don't you consider getting a rear view mirror that incorporates a compass, outside temp, garage door opener and possibly an LCD display for a back up camera? Those use their own button.

[The Mangonel]

Finally got the new parts in today, and it was a bit of a surprise. Although there appears to be two screws, there is only one. The smaller one that you use to tighten the mirror to the window is actually the opposite end of the large screw that holds the disc in place. That explains why the mechanic said the big screw was right hand thread. the one point I discovered on my own is that the disc has to go underneath the small pin at the top of the mount before you tighten the mirror to the window. You can see the pin on repiv's first picture. After figuring that out, the mirror mounted without too much excitement.
Now I can see what's behind me again. Thanks for your help repiv.

[repiv]

I'm happy that you got this resolved. I take it you could not loosen your original mirror screw at all? I guess I should have explained about the disc fitting inside the sleeve on the windshield cup. The small screw moves the disc out enough to slip into the cup, then tightening it to hold it, but you already know that now.