Help- can't remove mirror caps

[EBG913]

Was going to replace my factory mirror caps with OEM carbon fiber mirror caps. I can't get the original caps off. Took car to dealer for an unrelated issue and asked them totals them off, they couldn't do it either. Any tips?

[Thanh386]

Was it bought used? The OEM caps literally pops off with a little tug in the edge? Did someone put glue or adhesive on it? Try doing it on a hot day.

[jballs16]

^ I've pulled off 5 different sets of mirror caps. It's in NO way a little tug. That's an understatement, to say the least.

You need to start at the top inner corner (closest to the car) and get you fingers/nails in there and pull. I usually try to lean on the mirror in the opposite direction so I'm not pulling too hard on the mirror itself. Often times, the whole thing sort of pops off instantly. Sometimes with a broken tab.

Breaking a tab on the originals isn't so bad but I would hate to have to pull off a carbon fiber set.

[SeatownF80]

It definitely needs some strength. Don't be afraid that it'll break and pull hard. It helps to have another person hold it the opposite direction so the whole thing doesn't fold. I tried prying tools with painters tape on one side but found pulling with hands is a lot easier and no risk of scratches.

[clutchdj]

follow the IND directions/video. u need to sort of push in and push upwards simultaneously.

start from the inside corner like others have said.

i changed mine out last week and yes its a PITA. don't go apeshiet on them but you do have to apply the force. sort of rock back and forth as you apply pressure to the mirror cap only. you really need to get good grip.

just don't get impatient and don't use anything but your fingers. its seems impossible but they will come off.

[Wah]

The IND video didn't work for me... the caps were on too tight to just pull off with my fingers. I guess I'm a wimp.

Use the butt end of a trim tool and push the cap off... push from different parts of the cap so it comes off evenly. Use painters tape to prevent scratching. Be careful since the tabs on the stock caps break easily.



DO NOT wedge the flat end between the cap and the black trim, or you will definitely break the stock cap tabs...

[EBG913]

Thanks for the tips and pics. Will have to order trim tool. Any recommendations?

[Wah]

Originally Posted by EBG913

Thanks for the tips and pics. Will have to order trim tool. Any recommendations?

If you've got a harbor freight tools near you you can get it from there. You don't need a trim tool... Just anything that won't scratch easily.

[DBV]

I wrapped a flat edge tool I had in plenty of painters tape and used that to get some leverage. I was convinced I'd break something pulling the caps off, but lo and behold... Turned out fine. Very nerve wracking at first though...

[2HIGH~PSI]

Yes. They are NOT easy.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1029491

I had one "pop" off when I was removing mine. Flew 4 feet and landed behind me.

You definitely need the "pry" tool

[CreoUCLA]

Originally Posted by Wah

Use the butt end of a trim tool and push the cap off... push from different parts of the cap so it comes off evenly. Use painters tape to prevent scratching. Be careful since the tabs on the stock caps break easily.

This method worked best for me. I applied masking tape to the edge of the cap and the black part of the mirror. However, instead of pushing the cap off with the pry tool and my hands, I gave the opposite end of the pry tool a couple quick taps with a rubber mallet (towards the front of the car) and both caps popped off easily without any broken tabs.

[paliknight]

Are the carbon fiber caps easier to remove? Mine seem like I could pull them off with my hands as opposed to the stock ones.

[EBG913]

Still haven't been able to get my factory caps off. Going to have to take them to IND or somewhere else.

[Thanh386]

Take a credit card and slide it into the outside edge.

[Wah]

Originally Posted by Thanh386

Take a credit card and slide it into the outside edge.

Do NOT do this... the perimeter of the caps are not what hold them on. There is thin plastic on the perimeter of the caps that seal the black part of the mirror and if you shove a credit card (or in my case the thin side of a pry tool) then you will break the plastic. Its no big deal if you don't plan on keeping the stock caps, but it doesn't do anything in terms of getting them off, so why mess them up?

[CreoUCLA]

I've had the mirror caps off about 6-7 times now, and tapping them off with a blunt pry tool/rubber mallet has been the easiest way for me.

Here are some photos of what I'm doing. Just hit the opposite end of the pry tool lightly a few times (at different places along the mirror cap), and they should release easily towards the front of the car.

[CreoUCLA]

I'm using a rubber mallet like this one to tap the opposite end of the pry tool;

[gunslinger1976]

I watched my dealership do it and they removed the mirror glass and then pushed the mirror cap off from the inside by releasing the clips.

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by gunslinger1976

I watched my dealership do it and they removed the mirror glass and then pushed the mirror cap off from the inside by releasing the clips.

That is a great secret move!
Thanks for sharing that one.

[Spoolin Montego]

Originally Posted by Wah

Do NOT do this... the perimeter of the caps are not what hold them on. There is thin plastic on the perimeter of the caps that seal the black part of the mirror and if you shove a credit card (or in my case the thin side of a pry tool) then you will break the plastic. Its no big deal if you don't plan on keeping the stock caps, but it doesn't do anything in terms of getting them off, so why mess them up?

I've installed dozens of F8x mirrors. Doing it like that is completely fine. I do the exact same but with a trim tool

[Nonopr01]

The hammer is the best tool for this....

[astris]

Originally Posted by CreoUCLA

I've had the mirror caps off about 6-7 times now, and tapping them off with a blunt pry tool/rubber mallet has been the easiest way for me.

Here are some photos of what I'm doing. Just hit the opposite end of the pry tool lightly a few times (at different places along the mirror cap), and they should release easily towards the front of the car.

Came here just to say this is the way to do it. Once you've taped it off, takes 5 seconds to tap it off. Thanks!