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Toyota Corolla Side View Mirror Bolts Tightening Guide
How to tighten the bolts that attach the side view mirror to the door frame of a 10th generation 2009-2013 Corolla.

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2010 Corolla Side View Mirror
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Twitter Speaker / Sail Panel
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Release Pop Rivet
This automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners of the 10th generation (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013) Toyota Corolla in tightening the bolts that attach the power side view mirror assembly to the metal door frame in order to reduce vibrations and shaking that obscure your vision of the vehicles behind you.

Owners of other Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles such as the Yaris, Matrix, Prius, Camry, RAV4, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, FJ Cruiser, Venza, Highlander, Avalon, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, Allion, Premio, Auris, IS 250, ES 350, GS 350, tC, xB, xD, iQ and FR-S may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a flathead screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool, a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

To prevent the bolts from vibrating loose again, I highly recommend applying some Loctite Blue Medium Strength Threadlocker adhesive fluid to the bolts.



 
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Pry Off Sail Panel
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Sail Panel Removed
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Twitter Speaker Wire
The first two steps are to move to the side of the car with the loose side view mirror and then fully open the door.

You may also want to fully lower your power window to keep your window tint from being accidentally scratched by your tools.

Gently pry out the pop rivet friction fastener at the front top corner of the plastic door panel with a pry bar tool or a flathead screwdriver.

It is not necessary to remove the entire door panel, but the sail panel at the top front corner of the door frame that covers the side view mirror bolts can not be easily removed with out releasing the top pop rivet on the interior door panel.

Then gently pry off the sail panel that contains the tweeter speaker by using the plastic pry bar tool.

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Disconnect Power Plug
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Tighten Bolts Clockwise
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Lower Rear Bolt
Push in the release tab on the electrical connector for the tweeter speaker and pull it straight out of its socket.

Set the sail panel and tweeter speaker assembly in a safe place.

Then use the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet to tighten the three bolts for the side view mirror.

If you often drive on very rough paved, gravel or dirt roads, I highly recommend removing one bolt at a time and applying some Loctite Blue Medium Threadlocker adhesive fluid to the bolt threads.

The Loctite Blue (removable) will help keep the bolts from vibrating loose again in the future.



 

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Lower Front Bolt
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Secure Friction Fasteners
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Secure Tweeter Speaker
Make sure that all three bolts are tight.

Check that the side view mirror feels like it is securely attached to the door frame.

Hold the sail panel near the door frame.

Push the power plug for the tweeter speaker back into its socket.

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Push On Sail Panel
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Line Up Fasteners
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Sail Panel Secured
Line up the retaining clips on the back side of the sail panel with the door frame.

Push the sail panel back into place.

Then push the pop rivet at the top inner corner of the door panel back into place.

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Check Door Panel
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Door Panel Secured
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Test Side View Mirror
Double check that the sail panel and door panel are both securely attached.

Test the side view mirror to see if it can be moved around.

Enjoy the clearer vision of vehicles driving behind you.

Check out all of my Toyota Corolla DIY repair and maintenance tutorials.

2009-2013 Toyota Corolla Repair & Maintenance Guides

2014-2018 Toyota Corolla Repair & Maintenance Guides

2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Repair & Maintenance Guides
 

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