Rear-view mirrors VAZ 2107: design, refinement and replacement

Rear-view mirrors are important elements of any car that ensure traffic safety. High-quality mirrors allow the driver to fully control the situation on the road. Regular mirrors VAZ 2107 do not meet modern requirements. Therefore, the owners of sevens are trying to modify them or replace them with more functional models.

Rear-view mirrors VAZ 2107

Rear-view mirrors (ZZV) are designed to control the traffic situation around the car. With their help, the driver sees the situation in neighboring lanes when changing lanes, overtaking and reversing.

Regular mirrors VAZ 2107 do not meet the needs of modern car owners:

1. Mirrors have a small field of view and a lot of dead zones.
2. In order to see the desired section of the road, the driver is forced to lean and turn.
3. Mirrors do not have a visor that protects from rain. As a result, they get very dirty, and in cold weather, ice freezes on the reflective surface.
4. The mirrors are not heated.
5. Mirrors are out of date.

In the seventies, cars were equipped with one side mirror on the driver's side. The traffic in those years was not as dense as it is now, and one mirror was quite enough. The rapid growth in the number of road users led to the emergence of a second mirror. A modern car has three rear-view mirrors, two of which are installed on the outside of the doors, and one in the cabin on the windshield.

The first batches of cars were produced with one side rear-view mirror.

APZs are constantly being modified. Their size increased, sphericity changed, heating and electric drive appeared. Now side mirrors are an important component of car design, and the mirror in the cabin has become multifunctional - they build clocks, additional monitors, DVRs and navigators into it, add the auto-dimming function from the headlights of the vehicle coming behind, etc.

A modern driver can no longer do without a right-handed ZZV. The practice of its use is already included in the curriculum of all driving schools. Without a right mirror, it is almost impossible to park a car in the yards and parking lots of shopping centers. Driving in reverse with one side mirror is also fraught with trouble.

If you observe the actions of drivers, then many of them, especially the older generation, still turn their heads when reversing, or even turn around half a turn back to follow the road. This is the result of the practice of past years, when mirrors did not play such an important role, or the result of driving a car with uncomfortable mirrors. Even if you now try to learn how to use mirrors when reversing, it will be very difficult to do this with low-quality mirrors.

Varieties of mirrors for the VAZ 2107

Many owners of the VAZ 2107 are changing their regular RTAs to more modern models.

Universal mirrors

The range of universal ZZV for the VAZ 2107 is quite wide. Models from different manufacturers differ in quality, functionality, installation methods, etc. You can buy them in almost any car shop. When buying, you should pay attention to the correspondence of the size and fastening of the mirrors to the places for their installation on the VAZ 2107.

Often, mirrors from an unknown manufacturer that do not match a particular car model are of poor quality. They lure the buyer with a low price. There is a sad experience in the operation of such mirrors, when they constantly shake when moving, and the reflective element spontaneously deviates. You have to constantly adjust them, which distracts from driving. It's annoying and I want to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Often, new side mirrors are mounted through through holes in a standard plastic triangle. Less commonly, they are hooked on both sides with brackets to the glass frame.

Universal mirrors are mounted on a standard triangle with screws or bolts that are screwed from the car interior

The staple method is less reliable. Loosening the fixing bolts can cause the mirror to come off the glass frame and fly off. This can be dangerous for other road users.

Mounting brackets for universal mirrors cling to the glass frame on both sides

Enhanced Vision Mirrors

Often, enlarged side mirrors with improved visibility from the VAZ 2107 Niva are installed on the VAZ 2121. ZZV will fit both from the old and from the new Niva. They are installed on the upper part of the door panel, which will be damaged during installation along with the paintwork. If in the future there is a need to change the side mirrors, then you will have to restore the panel or install a ZZV with the same type of attachment.

Despite the fact that the size of the VAZ 21213 mirrors is smaller, their modern design and functionality tend to make a choice in their direction.

Mirrors from "Niva" have improved visibility, but do not look very aesthetically pleasing on the VAZ 2107

You can also fix the ZZV from the VAZ 2121 through a regular plastic triangle. However, in this case, it will be necessary to make a new mount for the mirror from two brackets (from VAZ 2107 and VAZ 2121).

The bracket from the "Niva" is ground off so that it is possible to install the fork of the VAZ 2107 mirror on it

The manufactured bracket is screwed to the mirror and installed in a regular place. Such a design will not be reliable - a mechanism designed to mount a small mirror may not be able to hold a heavier ZZV. When moving, the mirror installed in this way will vibrate. Therefore, this installation method is relevant only for owners of the VAZ 2107 with a calm driving style.

The bracket from the VAZ 2121, installed at a certain angle, will allow you to hold the mirror in a vertical position

More reliable is the option of installing ZZV from the VAZ 2121 of a new sample. These mirrors are smaller and modern looking and provide a good view. They can be quite firmly fixed to the regular plastic triangle VAZ 2107, in which, if necessary, additional holes are made. Such mirrors can be adjusted from the passenger compartment.

Installing a mirror from the new "Niva" on the VAZ 2107 will require a little refinement

F1 mirrors for tuning

F1 mirrors on a long metal stem resemble the mirrors of Formula 1 sports cars. They cannot be adjusted from the cabin. On sale, you can easily find a set of such mirrors with mounts for the VAZ 2107.

F1 sports mirrors are usually used when tuning the VAZ 2107

Such mirrors are installed on a regular plastic triangle as follows:

1. Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the bolt securing the mirror adjustment lever.
   

   The bolt of the standard mirror adjustment lever VAZ 2107 is unscrewed with a Phillips screwdriver

2. We unscrew the two bolts of the plug from the side of the control lever. We take out the lever.

3. We install the plug from the set of mirrors on the triangle. We attach a mirror to the cap.

A set of sports mirrors when installed on a VAZ 2107 does not require modification

Frankly, these mirrors are more beautiful than practical and comfortable. Their visibility is small, because of this they often have to be adjusted, because the driver on the road sometimes wants to change the position of the back or seat in the chair, and at the same time the mirror needs to be adjusted a little right away. You have to open the window and stretch out your hand, so if you prefer comfort and coziness, it is recommended to make a choice not in favor of these mirrors.

Mirrors designed specifically for the VAZ 2107

On sale you can find side mirrors manufactured by NPK POLYTECH, designed specifically for the VAZ 2107. The fastening of such ZZV completely coincides with the fastening of standard mirrors. It even comes with a plastic triangle. For VAZ 2107 NPK "POLYTECH" offers more than a dozen different models.

Photo gallery: mirrors for VAZ 2107 produced by NPK POLYTECH

Model LT-5A has a golden surface

Model LT-5B ASFERICA has a spherical surface of the usual color

Model LT-5GO has a blue surface and heating

Model LT-5GO ASFERICA has a blue spherical surface and heating

Model LT-5UBO ASFERICA has a spherical surface, heating and turn signal

R-5BO model has a regular surface and heating

Model R-5B has a regular surface

Model R-5G has a blue surface

Model T-7AO has a golden surface and heating

Model T-7BO ASFERICA has a regular surface and heating

Model T-7G ASFERICA has a spherical blue surface

Model T-7UGO has a blue surface, heating and a turn signal

Model T-7UAO has a golden surface, heating and a turn signal

The T-7UBO model has a regular surface, heating and a turn signal

All mirrors of NPK "POLYTECH" have:

• durable body;
• high-quality reflective element with a wide field of view;
• increased clarity and anti-dazzle coating;
• cable drive for adjustment;
• heating.

Mirror models differ in shape, size, availability of options and color of the reflective coating.

Table: technical characteristics of mirrors produced by NPK POLYTECH

Model	Reflector	Heating	Add. turn signal	Dimensions, mm	Reflector size, mm	General characteristics
LT-5A	Golden	No	No	250h135h110	165x99	Reflection coefficient: not less than 0,4. Ice thawing time at -15С, min: no more than 3 (if there is heating). Operating temperature range, С: -50°С…+50°С. Supply voltage of the heating system, V: 10–14. Current consumption, A: 1,4 (if heating is present).
LT-5B ASPHEREICA	White	No	No	250h135h110	165x99
LT-5GO	Blue	No	No	250h135h110	165x99
LT-5GO ASFERICA	Blue	Yes	No	250h135h110	165x99
LT-5UBO ASPHEREICS	White	Yes	Yes	250h135h110	165x99
R-5BO	White	Yes	No	240h135h110	94x160
R-5B	White	No	No	240h135h110	94x160
R-5G	Blue	No	No	240h135h110	94x160
T-7AO	Golden	Yes	No	250h148h100	94x164
T-7BO ASFERICA	White	Yes	No	250h148h100	94x164
T-7G ASFERICA	Blue	No	No	250h148h100	94x164
T-7UGO	Blue	Yes	Yes	250h148h100	94x164
T-7UAO	Golden	Yes	Yes	250h148h100	94x164
T-7UBO	White	Yes	Yes	250h148h100	94x164

Rear-view mirror in the cabin of the VAZ 2107

The rear-view mirror installed in the passenger compartment is designed to view a section of the road that does not fall into the side APBs. This is the area behind the car and in close proximity to it. In addition, using the interior mirror, you can observe the passengers in the back seat.

The regular mirror in the VAZ 2107 cabin is fixed with two bolts on the ceiling between the sun visors. It is suspended on a hinge that allows you to adjust its position and is equipped with a day/night switch. Such a mount does not allow the installation of mirrors from foreign cars on the VAZ 2107.

There are two fixing bolts under the cap of the ceiling lining, by unscrewing which you can remove the mirror.

Car owners most often change the standard mirror to increase the viewing angle. However, there are other variants of the RTW.

Panoramic rearview mirror

The standard mirror provides an overview of the rear window and the limited space around it. A panoramic mirror allows you to expand the viewing angle and capture the so-called dead zones due to the spherical surface. With it, you can even see the side windows of the rear doors.

Panoramic mirrors are installed, as a rule, using a quick-release clamp over a regular mirror. This makes them versatile. There are different types of mirror coatings:

• anti-glare, protecting the driver from blinding;
• blackout;
• brightening, making the reflection brighter, which is convenient with a tinted rear window;
• tinted.

With the help of a panoramic mirror, you can even see the side windows of the rear doors

It must be remembered that in the panoramic mirror the distance to the car moving behind will seem greater than the real one. Therefore, it is dangerous for drivers with little driving experience to install such mirrors.

Rear view mirror with video recorder

DVR with DVR allows you not to install an additional device on the windshield and thus not restrict the view. Such combinations, which fully perform the functions of a DVR, are very popular today. The lens of the registrar from the inside is directed to the road, and the image is displayed on the surface of the mirror. Such RAPs have connectors for power supply, microUSB, SD memory cards and headphones.

A mirror with a DVR will save space on the windshield and not restrict the driver's view

Rear view mirror with built-in display

The display built into the mirror allows you to see the image from the rear view camera. It starts working at the moment the reverse gear is turned on, and the rest of the time it is turned off and does not restrict the view.

Mirror with built-in display shows the image from the rear view camera

Replacement of rear-view mirrors VAZ 2107

To dismantle the rear-view mirror VAZ 2107, you only need a Phillips screwdriver. This is done as follows:

1. Lower the glass to its lowest position.
2. Near the mirror, we move the sealing gum of the glass.
   

   Before dismantling the mirror, you need to remove the glass sealing gum

3. Unscrew the bolt from the outside of the glass frame.

   

   To dismantle the side mirror, you need to unscrew a single bolt

4. Remove the mirror from the glass frame.

   

   The mirror is tightly inserted into the glass frame, but after removing the fasteners, it can be easily removed

5. On the new mirror, we loosen the three screws securing the triangular panel on the side of the adjusting knob so that it fits in the place of the standard mirror in the glass frame. With this panel, the mirror is attached to the glass frame.

   

   In order for the new mirror to freely enter the glass frame, you need to loosen the screws securing the triangular panel

6. We install a new mirror in place of the regular one and tighten the mirror mounting bolts, clamping the mirror on the glass frame.

   

   After installing a new mirror, you need to tighten the bolts pressing it to the glass frame

7. We return the glass sealing gum to its place.

   

   Sealing rubber is installed on the mirror

The entire procedure for replacing the RAP will take no more than an hour. If heated or electrically adjustable mirrors are installed, you will have to install controls for these functions in the cabin and connect wiring to them, which, as a rule, comes with the ZZV.

Video: replacing mirrors VAZ 2107

https://youtube.com/watch?v=BJD44p2sUng

Repair of side mirrors VAZ 2107

In some cases, you can try to repair the side mirrors yourself. This is useful if:

• cracked or broken reflective element;
• mirror heating failed;
• the cable for the electric mirror drive is jammed or broken.

Before repair, it is desirable to remove the mirror from the car. Usually the mirror element is mounted on the adjustment mechanism using plastic latches. Less common is the variant with fastening with a nut screwed on the front side of the mirror (for example, on VAZ 2108–21099).

To remove a reflective surface from a mirror:

1. Pick the right tool. It can be a screwdriver or some other curved object that can reach the mount.
2. Determine where the latch is located inside the mirror. To do this, turn the reflector to the maximum angle and look inside.
3. Use the end of a screwdriver or other tool to rest against the latch and push it out of engagement with the adjustment mechanism.
   

   To remove the reflective surface from the mirror, you need to unhook the latch and the adjustment mechanism with a screwdriver

4. Disconnect the latch and remove the reflective element.

If the reflector is not damaged, when disassembling the mirror, do not try to pull it out by hooking on the edges. Otherwise, it may burst. A broken reflector is always replaced with a new one.

Sometimes the heated mirror fails. For repairs, you will need a building hair dryer and a new heating element of a suitable size. Actions are performed in the following order:

1. We remove the reflective element from the plastic frame.
   

   When repairing the heated mirror, the reflector is removed from the plastic frame

2. We warm up the reflective element with a hairdryer. We wait until the glue melts and remove the heating element from the reflector.

3. We clean the surface of adhesive residues and degrease.
4. We glue a new heating element with an existing adhesive base.
5. We install the reflector in a plastic frame and insert it into the mirror.

When assembling the mirror, you need to make sure that the locks click into place and securely hold the reflective element in the body.

Repair of the adjustment cable drive requires disassembling the mirror and removing the drive itself. Often the cable breaks at the points of its attachment to the joystick or mirror. Finding a suitable drive assembly on the market is quite difficult, but you can try to replace the cable separately or try to press it in.

The procedure for replacing the adjustment cable drive depends on the mirror model. In the most general case, the procedure is as follows:

1. We remove the mirror element.
2. Unscrew the adjustment drive joystick.
   

   To remove the joystick of the adjustment mechanism, you need to unscrew three screws

3. We remove the mechanism on which the reflective element is installed.

   

   When replacing the cable drive, the mechanism on which the reflective element is attached is removed

4. We take out the cable drive from the housing and fix the problem. If the cable is broken on the joystick side, you can do without dismantling the cable drive.

   

   If the cable is broken on the joystick side, the cable drive does not need to be removed.

5. We assemble the mirror in the reverse order, checking its performance at each stage.

I would like to state the fact that often the internal mechanism of the mirror is very difficult to repair. I had to deal with the failure of the cable mechanism more than once, and when it came to repair, the cables simply oxidized and did not move. It is sometimes impossible to even disassemble them, because its ends are pressed or soldered. I had to just bite the cables and temporarily adjust the mirror with my hands through the open window, before buying new mirrors. Therefore, before proceeding with the repair, you need to determine the cause of the breakdown.

Chrome plating of rear-view mirrors

Sometimes it is difficult to find a chrome-plated side mirror suitable for the VAZ 2107 on sale. However, chrome plating can be done with your own hands. You can do this in two ways:

• applying a chrome-vinyl film to the mirror body;
• painting the mirror with a special chrome paint, followed by varnishing.

These methods do not require the use of special equipment and expensive materials.

Applying a chrome-vinyl film to the mirror body

To apply a chrome vinyl film to a mirror, you will need:

• stationery knife;
• squeegee (for smoothing the film on the surface of the body);
• construction hair dryer.

The film is applied as follows:

1. The surface of the mirror housing is cleaned of dirt and dried. In this case, you can use any cleaning agents.
2. The paper backing is removed from a piece of film cut to the size of a mirror.
3. With the help of a building hair dryer, the film warms up to 50–60 ° С.
4. The heated film stretches in all directions. It is more convenient to do this together, holding the film by the corners. The film is stretched so that its size increases by 15–20%. This is done so that wrinkles do not appear in places where the film will be cut off.
   

   For a tighter fit to the mirror body, the film is stretched in all directions
5. The film cools down and is placed on the largest flat part of the body. From the center to the edges, the film is smoothed with a rubber or plastic squeegee until wrinkles appear.
6. The sections of the film with folds are stretched to the edge of the mirror body. If necessary, these areas are heated with a hairdryer.
   

   The film is stretched from the center to the edges of the mirror body
7. The entire surface of the film is heated. As a result, it should stretch over the entire body of the mirror without bubbles and wrinkles.
8. The free edge of the film is cut off with a margin and wrapped inside - where the reflective element is installed.
9. The tucked edge is heated and pressed with a squeegee.
10. The entire surface of the film is again smoothed with a squeegee.

In my practice, I had to use film. In order to stick it successfully, you need to practice and get certain skills, without which you can ruin everything.

Video: applying a chrome vinyl film to the mirror body

Covering the mirror with chrome foil.

Chrome plating mirrors with paint

Painting mirrors should be carried out in a dry, well-ventilated and warm room. Work is recommended to be carried out in a respirator, glasses and gloves. To apply chrome paint to the mirror body, you will need:

• black primer for plastic or nitro paint;
• chrome paint;
• varnish;
• polishing cloth;
• degreasing agent;
• sandpaper for matting plastic.

The work is carried out in the following order:

1. The mirror is removed from the car.
2. The mirror is disassembled so that only the surface to be painted remains.
3. If the case is glossy, it is matted with sandpaper.
   

   On a matte surface, the base primer will stick better than on a glossy one.
4. The surface is cleaned, degreased and dried.
5. As a base coat, black primer or nitro paint is applied to the surface.
6. Lacquer is applied to the surface.
7. After the varnish has completely dried, the surface is polished with a napkin - the final result depends on the quality of polishing.
8. Chrome paint is applied to the polished surface. It is better to do this in several thin layers.
9. After the chrome paint has dried, varnish is applied to the surface.
10. After complete drying of the varnish, the surface is polished again.
    

    Mirrors chromed with chrome paint look pretty impressive

In the process, it is very important to wait for the complete polymerization of the paint, and this can sometimes take several days.

Since the chrome-plated surface is very smooth and the coating itself is very thin, all the disadvantages of self-chrome plating will be clearly visible. Therefore, when applying each layer of paint, you need to ensure that particles of dust and dirt do not get on the surface. Before carrying out work, it is recommended to do wet cleaning in the room.

Thus, a wide variety of side and salon rear-view mirrors can be installed on the VAZ 2107. You can do this with your own hands. It is only necessary to carefully study the recommendations for choosing mirrors and follow the instructions for their installation.