electrical
Side Mirror Assembly
for 2018 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · RWD
Difficulty
Easy
Time
1.0 h
Tools
5
Steps
10
This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the side mirror assembly on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150, including disconnection of electrical connectors for power, heating, and signal functions.
Warnings
⚠If mirror was damaged in a collision, inspect door wiring harness for damage before installing new mirror
ℹ️Power folding and heated mirrors require battery power for testing; plan battery reconnection accordingly
⚠Do not force trim panel removal; clips break easily and may require replacement
Tools required
T30 Torx driverEssential
Small flat-blade trim toolEssential
10mm socket and ratchet
Torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)Essential
Electrical contact cleaner
Parts
- Side mirror assembly (driver or passenger) × 1 — Use OEM specification for color match and features
- Door panel trim clips (if damaged) × 2 — Ford part number W714384-S or equivalent
Preparation
- Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
- Disconnect negative battery terminal to prevent electrical shorts during mirror replacement
- Wait 2 minutes after battery disconnect for capacitor discharge if vehicle has power folding mirrors
- Clean work area around door mirror to prevent dirt ingress into door cavity
Procedure
- 1Remove door mirror trim panelOpen the door fully. Locate the triangular trim panel at the front upper corner of the door where the mirror mounts. Using a small flat-blade trim tool, carefully pry the trim panel away from the door starting at the rear edge. The panel is held by 2-3 push clips. Pull the panel outward and away from the door frame.
- 2Disconnect mirror electrical connectorLocate the main electrical connector behind the trim panel. Press the locking tab on the connector and pull it straight out from the mirror base. For mirrors with additional puddle lamp connectors, disconnect that smaller connector as well by pressing its release tab. Note the routing of the wiring harness for reinstallation.
- 3Remove mirror mounting boltsUsing a T30 Torx driver, remove the three mounting bolts securing the mirror assembly to the door frame. These bolts are accessed through the opening behind the trim panel. Support the mirror from the outside with your other hand to prevent it from falling when the last bolt is removed. The bolts are approximately 40mm long and thread into captured nuts in the door frame.Torque specModule Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
- 4Remove mirror assembly from doorWith all three bolts removed, carefully pull the mirror assembly away from the door. Guide the wiring harness through the door opening as you remove the mirror. If the mirror is stubborn, check that all bolts are fully removed and that no connectors are still attached. Do not force the mirror as the mounting studs can damage the door paint.
- 5Prepare new mirror assemblyUnpack the new mirror assembly and verify it matches the old mirror in terms of paint color, features (heated, power folding, signal, puddle lamp), and mounting configuration. If the mirror came with a protective film, leave it on until installation is complete. Inspect the mounting gasket on the new mirror; it should be intact and properly positioned.
- 6Install new mirror assemblyGuide the wiring harness through the door opening first, then position the new mirror assembly against the door frame. Align the three mounting holes on the mirror base with the threaded inserts in the door frame. The mounting gasket should seal evenly against the door surface. Start all three T30 Torx mounting bolts by hand before tightening any of them to ensure proper alignment.Torque specModule Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
- 7Torque mirror mounting boltsUsing a torque wrench with T30 Torx bit, tighten the three mounting bolts in a star pattern to 31.0 Nm (23.0 lb-ft). Start with the top bolt, then the bottom rear, then the bottom front. This ensures even pressure on the mounting gasket and prevents mirror misalignment. Verify the mirror sits flush against the door with no gaps.Torque specModule Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
- 8Connect mirror electrical connectorsConnect the main electrical connector to the mirror base, pressing firmly until you hear and feel a positive click. If equipped, connect the puddle lamp connector as well. Gently tug on each connector to verify it is fully seated. Route the wiring harness so it does not interfere with the trim panel installation and has no sharp bends.
- 9Test mirror functions before trim reinstallationReconnect the negative battery terminal temporarily. Turn the ignition to the ON position (engine off). Test all mirror functions: power adjustment in all directions, power folding (if equipped), heating element (wait 30 seconds and feel mirror glass for warmth), and turn signal operation (if equipped). Verify puddle lamp illuminates when door is opened. If any function fails, recheck electrical connections before proceeding.Torque specBattery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
- 10Reinstall door mirror trim panelIf battery was reconnected for testing, disconnect it again. Position the trim panel over the mirror mounting area, aligning the push clips with their receptacles in the door frame. Press firmly around the perimeter of the panel until all clips snap into place. The panel should sit flush with the door surface with no gaps. Tug gently on the panel to verify secure attachment.
Reassembly
- Reconnect negative battery terminal and torque to 6.0 Nm (4.0 lb-ft)
- If mirror has power folding function, allow it to auto-calibrate by cycling fold/unfold twice with ignition on
- Remove protective film from mirror glass if present
- Adjust mirror position for driver visibility using power controls
Verification
- Verify mirror is solidly mounted with no movement when manually pushed from different angles
- Test all electrical functions again: power adjustment, heating, signal lights, puddle lamp, and power folding if equipped
- Check that trim panel is fully seated with no gaps or loose clips
- Verify mirror does not vibrate excessively at highway speeds during test drive
- Confirm mirror provides proper rear visibility and is correctly adjusted