JAB

While an unnamed family member was driving the 2003 RX a mailbox jumped out from the curb, striking the passenger side mirror. Housing is OK but mirror glass (which dislodged, giving me a view of the innards) and electrical adjuster are both broken. I have bought a used complete assembly on eBay, but housing color doesn't match mine. Options are to remove door panel and install entire off-color unit, or remove mirror and adjuster from newly acquired assembly and install in existing housing. My only hesitation is the removal of the good mirror without breaking it. Posters with experience on this forum describe threading a piece of cloth tape around and behind the mirror, and with the loose ends at approximately 5 and 7 o'clock, pulling out and up. Because I have the benefit of examination of the broken unit, I understand completely what is being described. Nonetheless I can imagine the possibility of breaking one of the clips, which will defeat the purpose of this approach. Any experience and/or advice? Thanks.

maxSteel

My garage door opening had it in for my ex and attacked her Toyota Sienna minivan mirrors about 10 times. Lexus is probably same design as Toyota.

I think a new mirror assembly ran about $250 so I was very motivated to patch them up if possible.
I didn't have any problems popping the mirror out, disconnecting the wires, and then removing the servo assembly.

JAB

I just finished the job. It appears to me that there was a change in design between whenever the one I bought was made, and my 2003. The mirror appeared to have been mounted to the actuator in a different manor, and rather than risk breaking something I simply removed the door panel and installed the entire assembly that I got off eBay. Color of the housing is not the same, but at least it works.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Is the color just a different shade of the same color code or is it a totally different color code? You can probably buy a spray can of the correct color code and paint it (and even apply a clear coat on top, if you're OCD, like me). Should look better than a different color.

Lexmus

Since your new mirror is already painted, you just have to clean and scuff the surface to repaint it (no primer required), then put some spray clear coat over that. Matching paint using your paint code is available in spray cans from various companies. I bought some of this type paint to repaint a bumper for a different car from Automotive Touchup and it was very close to the original.

You can even practice on your old mirror before attempting to paint the new one.

trhs75

Lexmus is right -- it should be an easy job. I have had a local company scan my existing paint and mix cans for me, also. Inexpensive, and the mismatched color won't bug you anymore!