[jdmisme]

I've had a few questions lately about people asking how to swap the guts from the JDM PFM's (power folding mirrors) to the US xB mirrors. This is going to be a quick, no frills explanation with plenty of pics to help the explanation (33 pics in all so give them time to upload)....it's straight-forward and simple so hopefully there won't be any confusion.

First, what tools do you need?

...a philips screwdriver (manual or drill with a medium size tip), 2 mini flat-tip screwdrivers (one small....one very small) and a normal flat-tip screwdriver:



This should give you an idea of how small you need to go with the mini flat-tip screwdrivers:



First, take the smaller of the mini drivers and pry open the lock on the mirror couplers as shown in the next 2 pics (you don't need a vise to hold it...I needed one to hold the screwdriver AND camera to take these pics):





Next, take the larger of the 2 mini screwdrivers and insert it into the couplers at the points where the plastic catches are holding the metal pins in the coupler. In this next pic, the arrows are pointing out the plastic catches inside the holes. The red square is surrounding one of the catches:



You need to GENTLY pry your way in between the catch and the pin without damaging the plastic catch...don't push so hard that you actually bend that catch.



Once you've got it in there pry the screwdriver TOWARDS the metal pin while the shaft of the screwdriver is pushing down against the pin.



By doing that you effectively release the plastic catch while pushing the pin down at the same time. (REMEMBER TO MAKE AN ANNOTAION OF WHICH WIRE GOES INTO WHICH HOLE BEFORE YOU STARTING PULLING PINS OUT!!!!!)

Do this with all of the pins. Once all the pins are pushed down (like the one in the left of this next pic) then you just need to pull the pins out from the back of the coupler.



Ok..the coupler is off.



Remove any electrical tape that may be on the harness. Also remove any black tubing that might be on the harness. Remove the small single phillips screw that is holding the rubberish/plasticish inner piece to the mirror mount:



Ok..that piece is off.



Remove the 3 screws which attach the body of the mirror to the mirror mount/base:



Ok, those are seperated.



Now pull the wires through the mirror mount:



Ok..the mount is seperated from the body:



Now comes the scariest part for most people...removing the glass/mirror.



Push the top of the glass so that it goes into the body. This will bring out the bottom edge of the glass:



Place your EVENLY SPREAD thumbs under the glass and your forefingers against the rim of the mirror body/housing.....now push up on the glass with your thumbs SLOWLY but FIRMLY.



More than likely you'll come to a point where you think you're going to break the glass...I've done this HUNDREDS of times on dozens of different types of mirrors....I've NEVER had a bB mirror break. You'll start to see a white 'glue' seperate from between the back of the glass and the glass directional motor....this is a GOOD thing...just keep going...



The stronghold that the white gooy adhesive has on the glass will eventually weaken. Use one of the mini drivers and seperate the remaining gooy stuff. Try to keep as much of it as you can ON THE BACK OF THE GLASS.



Once you've done that the glass will come off of the 'hooks' on the glass directional motor:



Ok, you've got the glass removed (....ok, go smoke your victory cig or whatever it is you do...the hard part is over).



There is a cap on the lower edge of the mirror body.



Use your normal flat tip screwdriver to slowly and gently pry it away from the mirror housing as shown in the steps below:









Ok...that's seperated.



Remove the phillips screw found behind that cap:



Ok...that's done.



Remove the 3 phillips screws which are holding the mirror direction motor onto the main frame of the mirror body:



There is no need to disconnect the wires to the directional motor...just let it sit to the side:



Remove the 4 phillips screws which are holding the housing and the main frame of the body together:



And that's it! That's how you take apart a bB/xB mirror. The same process is used for taking apart the JDM PFM's. The insides of the right and left xB mirrors look different as do the insides of the JDM PFM's. They look different, but the disassembly process is basically the same.

I hope this helps...

[hotboyalzee]

nice write up. i just need to get me a set of PFM now.

[DTRAIN619]

WOW!! You really covered every aspect of this - kudos!!!

[jdmisme]

Originally Posted by DTRAIN619

WOW!! You really covered every aspect of this - kudos!!!

It makes me feel like less of a leech when I can give out some decent tips or info...

[Iron_Lion_Scion]

Nice write-up. so you buy PFM's then switch out the motor to the factory ones? I thought you could just switch the whole side views out.

[sdsnybny]

AWESOME!!!!!!!

I've been wondering how to do this.
this would greatly help any one wanting to install BLUE RAIN mirror glass

[yellow_sub]

awesome! ray (xbblues) was wondering how to do this cause having the right mirrior on the left side was getting hard to drive with. i'll let him know about this post.

[xbblues]

Very nice write up, I was wondering how to remove the glass/mirror. Thank you James for letting me know about this post.

[PCH]

Exellent write-up!
I also found out that you can blow hot air with hair dryer inside the mirror assembly before separating the glass. That will soften the white adhesive a little.

[samhain]

Totally awesome. Do you have any pics of the mirrors in action or finished photos?

[DTRAIN619]

There were some posted before, they worked perfectly.

Again, great DIY from a great seller! For those with additional questions, you can send them via PM.