How to replace drivers side power mirror on 2004 Classic/Malibu

I had to order a an entire new drivers side power mirror assembly (it's the entire assembly, with a power cable/connecter extending from the attachment area)

I woke up the other day to go to work, got in my 2004 Chevy Classic (not actually a Malibu, but the Classic and Malibu are almost identical - I just didn't see a forum for the Classic so posted here) and noticed the driver's side power mirror was smashed. I got out of the car, and noticed glass all over the pavement below and a part of the mirror on the street (the flat, moving black plastic panel that the actual glass mirror attaches to) panel . I believe it was vandalism, :mad: the cops think so too, but there's no way to really tell. It didn't look like hit and run. Anyway, the actual assembly that the power mirror is attached too is still on the car, and relatively undamaged, so I have to first remove the old assembly to put on the new one.

As a side note the part cost 61.00, and to call my insurance co and make a claim carries a 100.00 duductable so I thought doing it myself might save some cash.

Anyway, has anyone replaced the drivers side power mirror on a 04 Chevy Classic/Malibu and if so, what steps should I take?

My first thoughts were that I should find the power mirror fuse, disconnect it (to protect myself while working with the wiring connection), then I need to figure out how to properly get at the connection point. I haven't started yet, so I figured I'd post here to get some advice so avoid any unecessary damage I might cause if I wing it.

Thanks,

Locomotor55

Ok, so i successfully removed the broken mirror and installed the new one. There is just a triangular plastic cover that is easily popped out at the intersection of the top inside part of the door and the window. Then, I needed a 10mm deep socket to remove 3 bolts. This released the mirror. The hard part was getting to the power connector which was down inside the door about 6 to 9 inches. I had to remove the inner door plastic by popping it out to get to the connecter. I plugged it in, popped the door plastic back in place, and pushed the remaining exposed wire down into the door. Then just had to replace the bolts and put the plastic cover back on. Power mirror is working fine. Not too bad or hard to do, tricky part is just getting to the power connector.

Locomotor55