Hello all, I'm new to this forum (although I've been lurking for a week or two).

I have a 1992 Bonneville SE that I got in October, and it runs great (only ~112k miles right now). However, there are a few little things I'd like to fix up with it.

First: The passenger door mirror was knocked off in an unfortunate side collision with a deer while my dad was driving the car before I got it. I've been looking for local places to get a new mirror - haven't found anything specific yet though. My question is, how much could I expect to pay to have it put on when I find one, and - perhaps more importantly - where would I even go to have such a thing done? I'm not very knowledgeable about cars, so I can't really see doing it myself. Also, I assume it will be somewhat difficult to find a mirror that matches my car'* color (it'* the kinda blue/gray color that I think I've seen in the sigs of one of the forum administrators). Would this be easily painted to my car'* color....? Also, would I be able to adjust it from the driver'* side door control again?

Second: My windshield has a fairly sizeable crack in it that runs horizontally for most of the width of the windshield. I can easily enough find a windshield at a junk/salvage yard locally, but what does it entail to have it installed (and how much does it cost)?

Third: The lock in the driver'* door doesn't quite work correctly. It locks and all, but the power lock control (either inside the door itself, or on the remote I have for the aftermarket security system) almost always fails to unlock the door - it seems to be stuck and this has to be done manually (by key if from outside). However, locking it always seems to work correctly. What exactly could be wrong, and how costly would it be to fix? (It'* just a minor annoyance, but I'd like to get it fixed anyway.)

The only other thing I can think of is that the headlight cover on the right (passenger) side seems to be pushed in somewhat at the bottom - like if someone backed into it just at the right height. Is there an easy way to straighten it? As far as I can tell, it doesn't affect the light output or anything.

I'd like to thank everyone in advance for their responses!

-Matt Smith

Welcome to our friendly forum. There are many folk here that I'm sure will be able to give you some good leads. Unfortunately I'm not one of them but I'll try.

You can search your local auto parts "recycling centers" for a new mirror but it might be easier to do this on line. I'm sorry I can't remember which one I used for a rear lens for my old Corolla but it was the way to fo for me. I'll be sure to keep my eyes open for a deer with a blue/gray mirror mounted to his antler

For a windshield I would recommend you get a new one professionally installed. The two major advantages would be that a new windshield is....well......NEW. Yeah, it will cost you a few extra bucks, but when done right it won't leak and you simply can't replace a windsheild with your trusty putty knife. Also, a new windshield will not have any scratches and pit marks imbedded in the glass so it looks GREAT when you're trying to find that deer with that blue/gray mirror hanging from its antler.

The locks situation sounds like it might need, what the Gearheads here have sited in the past, as needing a new "bumper kit". But once again I'd wait for them to wake up and chime in here with a possible solution to this prob.

And finally, I would recomment that you read the "Sticky'*" posted in this section to give you some additional info about your Bonneville. Good Luck.

Try opening the door, and lubing anything that may need it, or checking to make sure everything'* still lined up.

Yes, the lock problem sounds like you need to have a new bumper kit installed.

Matt, put your year and model in your signature. It'll help alot.

For the mirror, definitely go to a wrecker. You need power, no heat, right? Lot'* of SE'* out there. You'll have to paint it, but you CAN do it yourself. You can get a small 5oz spray can of matching paint from the dealer. Or you can pay a little to have it painted before you put it on the car. It'* really quite easy to change one.

I agree completely with the windshield post, as well as the door locks. Do you have a glass breakage deductible on your insurance? That'* how I get my WS replaced.

Alright, from the other posts I've read on my issue, this sounds exactly like it. I have no clue how to get the door apart (and I would likely mess up several things trying), but I noticed the suggestion to get it done at the dealer has been put forth before. Can this be any GM/Pontiac dealer? From what I can tell, the original dealer who sold this car is halfway across the state, and I'd rather not go that far.

willwren, how much would I be looking at to get a brand new windshield and to get it installed? This is likely something I'll have to wait until summer to take care of, but I'm just trying to get an idea of cost right now. Also, I am nearly positive that I don't have a glass breakage deductible on my insurance (and I was just looking at my policy last night, too).

Would the dealer be the best/only place to go to have a mirror put on as well? How much would that cost? Also, does anyone have ideas about the clear plastic headlight cover?

Thanks again!

-Matt Smith

There have been a few here that fixed that door bumper problem themselves. I'm pretty sure someone can talk you through it. A new WS will run you in the 3-500 buck range. Consider yourself lucky. Mine is over a grand. The mirror is a snap. We'll talk you through it when you get it. You remove the interior door panel (instructions in Techinfo), disconnect the mirror, and unbolt it.

Clear plastic headlight cover? Not sure I understand that. The headlight unit is a single unit.....not individually serviceable. If it'* broken, you need a whole new assembly.

What I was referring to about the headlight is that it looks like it was forcefully pushed/knocked in a little bit - it'* not quite in the right position like the other headlight is. I suppose I could get a picture later if I remember. Like I said above though, it still appears to work fine, so this is kinda low on my "things to get fixed" list (especially if it will be expensive).

I guess I didn't realize the windshield would be quite so expensive either, so that will definitely have to wait a while. The mirror I suppose I could do if I had sufficient instructions . Also that should be the easiest to find as well.

Since it seems the door bumper kit is so inexpensive, I might just go ahead and order one - since I would have to learn how to take the door panel off anyway to replace the mirror on the other side. Although actually, I have a friend who'* going to install a new stereo and speakers for me this weekend...so we'll see how it goes getting the door panel off then (or if we even can).

I'll keep you all updated.

-Matt