The mirror cap on the Chevy Silverado is designed to absorb impact and in turn, protect the mirror itself from damage. It absorbs impact because the cap is made of high-strength ABS plastic and attaches to the side of the door with long threaded bolts that were molded into the side of the cap. This design allows the mirror cap to take a moderate amount of punishment before breaking. However, if it does break, replacement is the best recourse.
Open the door of the Silverado and locate the cover that hides the mounting bolts and wiring harness for the mirror. The cover is on the opposite side of the mirror, on the interior of the door.
Remove the cover from the door by pulling on it with your fingers. The cover does not bolt or screw into place. It has small nipples on the back side that press into the door.
Disconnect the wiring harness from the mirror. Lift up on the center tab and separate the two connectors by pulling on them.
Remove the three nuts that secure the mirror cap to the door with a 7/16 socket. Loosen the nuts with the socket and thread them off the posts with your fingers. If you drop a nut inside of the door, you must remove the entire door panel to retrieve the lost nut.
Pull the old mirror cap out of the door and slide the studs of the new mirror cap into the door.
Hold the mirror in place with one hand while you thread the nuts onto the threaded post with your fingers. Tighten all three bolts with the socket.
Reconnect the wiring harness by pushing the two ends together until the center lock snaps into place.
Place the plastic cover back on the door and strike it lightly with the palm of your hand to push the nipples into the door.
