Any tricks to safely removing side mirror covers?

[rodo]

Looks like the interior side mirror covers are simply pried off according to other posts. Are there any tricks to doing this without damage? The one (rt side) on my 2004 is not budging and is listed as discontinued in the parts catalog. So, thought I'd better check before brutalizing it into pieces and risk finding it NLA at the dealer.

[petrified.rabbit]

what other posts are you referring to?

[rodo]

Interior side mirror covers are mentioned as an aside in a few places on this forum... usually related to the broader topic of door panel removal. For example, there's a warning about not damaging them here and availability of the fastener here. Ran into a sentence or two about prying it off, but couldn't find that thread - possible it was on another site. Either way, the removal instruction given in one service manual is simply "Pry off the escutcheon" (a nice UK English term). Because the potential of damage has been mentioned, figured some may have some tips on how to avoid it.

[rodo]

Looks like the interior side mirror covers are simply pried off ....... are there any tricks to doing this without damage?

Apparently the answer is "NO". It is attached with very tight fitting ball and socket-type snaps with the lower one being too far from the edge for good leverage even with a proper panel tool. Mine had been damaged previously and came all the way off this time. As an inexpensive (~$7US) easily breakable part, the replacement stock for the right trim cover on 2004s has already been depleted and is NLA at several places I've checked. Not a killer as can be fixed good enough to work with some patches and glue, but a pita to mess with whenever this trim is removed. Will try some plastic-safe grease when I reinstall to see if it can be made easier to take off.

Here are some shots of the backside of the trim and mounting point to help in figuring out the safest way to pry them off:

[JPD]

Hi, I was reading another forum about someone who removed the wing mirrors on his car and installed internal mirrors.
Could anyone explain how to remove the wing mirrors on an Aveo? Do I need to remove the internal window covers as discussed in this thread, or the door panel?
Thanks

[wylee]

Apparently the answer is "NO". It is attached with very tight fitting ball and socket-type snaps with the lower one being too far from the edge for good leverage even with a proper panel tool. Mine had been damaged previously and came all the way off this time.

So someone actually removed one and was able to reuse it? Mine broke the first time I took it off...when the car was 6 months old. I was checking to see if the wiring was there for heated mirrors...the wiring was not there and it cost me well over $7 for that cover.

[khan4rtist]

Does anybody know the part number for the covers?