Rear view mirrors VAZ 2107: design, modification 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. The standard mirrors of the VAZ 2107 do not meet modern requirements. Therefore, owners of sevens are trying to modify them or replace them with more functional models.

• Types of mirrors for VAZ 2107
  Universal mirrors
• Enhanced view mirrors
• F1 mirrors for tuning
• Mirrors designed specifically for the VAZ 2107

  Photo gallery: mirrors for VAZ 2107 produced by NPK POLYTECH

• Table: technical characteristics of mirrors produced by NPK POLYTECH

Rear view mirrors VAZ 2107

Rear view mirrors (RVR) are designed to monitor the traffic situation around the car. With their help, the driver sees the situation in adjacent lanes when changing lanes, overtaking and reversing.

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

1. Mirrors have a small viewing area and many dead spots.
2. In order to see the desired section of the road, the driver is forced to bend and turn.
3. The mirrors do not have a visor to protect 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. The mirrors have an outdated appearance.

In the seventies, cars were equipped with one side mirror on the driver's side. Traffic in those years was not as dense as it is now, and one mirror was quite enough. The rapid increase in the number of road users has led to the appearance 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 interior on the windshield.

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

The ZZV was constantly modified. Their size increased, their sphericity changed, heating and an electric drive appeared. Nowadays, side mirrors are an important component of car design, and the mirror in the cabin has become multifunctional - a clock, additional monitors, video recorders and navigators are built into it, the function of auto-dimming from the headlights of vehicles behind, etc. is added.

A modern driver can no longer do without a right hand guard. The practice of its use is already included in the training program of all driving schools. Without a right mirror, it is almost impossible to park a car in courtyards and parking lots of shopping centers. Reversing with one side mirror is also fraught with trouble.

If you observe the actions of drivers, many of them, especially the older generation, still turn their heads when reversing, or even turn half a turn back, to keep an eye on 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 inconvenient 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.

Types of mirrors for VAZ 2107

Many VAZ 2107 owners replace the standard air conditioner with more modern models.

Universal mirrors

The range of universal air guards for the VAZ 2107 is quite wide. Models from different manufacturers differ in quality, functionality, installation methods, etc. You can purchase them at almost any auto store. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the correspondence of the size and mounting of the mirrors to the places for their installation on the VAZ 2107.

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

Often new side mirrors are attached through through holes in the standard plastic triangle. Less often, they are hooked onto the glass frame with staples on both sides.

Universal mirrors are attached to the standard triangle using screws or bolts that are screwed from inside the car

The method using staples is less reliable. Loosening the mounting bolts can cause the mirror to jump off the glass frame and fly off. This may be dangerous for other road users.

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

Enhanced view mirrors

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

Despite the fact that the size of the VAZ 21213 mirrors is smaller, their modern design and functionality make you choose them.

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

You can also attach the ZZV from the VAZ 2121 through the standard 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 down so that the VAZ 2107 mirror fork can be installed on it

The manufactured bracket is screwed to the mirror and installed in its 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, a mirror installed in this way will vibrate. Therefore, this installation method is only relevant for VAZ 2107 owners with a relaxed driving style.

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

A more reliable option is to install the ZZV from the new VAZ 2121 model. These mirrors are smaller in size and have a modern look and provide good visibility. They can be quite firmly attached to the standard plastic triangle of the VAZ 2107, in which additional holes are made if necessary. These mirrors can be adjusted from inside the car.

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

F1 mirrors for tuning

The F1 mirrors on a long metal leg resemble in their appearance 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 a VAZ 2107

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

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

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

2. Unscrew the two plug bolts on the side of the control lever. We take out the lever.
3. Install the plug from the mirror kit onto the triangle. We attach a mirror to the plug.

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

Frankly speaking, these mirrors are more beautiful than practical and convenient. They have little visibility, which is why they have to be adjusted frequently, because on the road the driver sometimes wants to change the position of the backrest or the position in the seat, and at the same time the mirror immediately needs to be adjusted a little. You have to open the window and reach out, so if you prefer comfort and coziness, it is recommended that you do not choose these mirrors.

Mirrors designed specifically for the VAZ 2107

On sale you can find side mirrors produced by NPK POLYTECH, designed specifically for the VAZ 2107. The fastening of such side mirrors is completely identical to the fastening of standard mirrors. The kit even includes a plastic triangle. For the 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 ASPHERIKA has a spherical surface of a regular color

Model LT-5GO has a blue surface and heating

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

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

Model R-5BO 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 ASPHERIKA has a regular surface and heating

Model T-7G ASPHERIKA 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

Model T-7UBO 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-glare coating;
• cable drive for adjustment;
• heating.

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

Table: technical characteristics of mirrors produced by NPK POLYTECH

Reviews

Conclusion The process of independently replacing side-view mirrors on the Lada Grante Liftback is not at all difficult. The design is fixed with three screws, connection to the power circuit is carried out by two blocks with wires. Following the recommendations given in this manual, replacing a new mirror will take no more than 10 minutes. Negative reviews from some owners are unfounded and are caused by violation of the operating conditions of the technical equipment and failure to comply with maintenance schedules.

Rear view mirror in the interior of a VAZ 2107

The rear-view mirror installed in the cabin is designed to view the section of the road that does not fall into the side zones. This is the area behind and in close proximity to the car. In addition, using the interior mirror, you can monitor the passengers in the rear seat.

The standard mirror in the VAZ 2107 interior is secured 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. This mount does not allow the installation of mirrors from foreign cars on the VAZ 2107.

Under the ceiling lining plug there are two fastening bolts, unscrewing which you can remove the mirror

Car owners most often change the standard mirror to increase the viewing angle. However, there are other options for ZZV.

Panoramic rear view mirror

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

Panoramic mirrors are usually installed using a quick-release clamp on top of the standard mirror. This makes them universal. There are different types of mirror coatings:

• anti-glare, protecting the driver from dazzling;
• darkening;
• brightening, making the reflection brighter, which is convenient when the rear window is tinted;
• tinted.

Using the 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 appear greater than real. Therefore, installing such mirrors for drivers with little driving experience is dangerous.

Rear view mirror with video recorder

A VZV with a DVR allows you to avoid installing an additional device on the windshield and thus not limiting your view. Such combinations, which fully perform the functions of a DVR, are very popular today. The recorder lens on the inside is directed towards the road, and the image is displayed on the surface of the mirror. Such EZVs have connectors for connecting power, microUSB, SD memory cards and headphones.

A mirror with a video recorder will save space on the windshield and not limit 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 the moment you engage reverse, and the rest of the time it is turned off and does not limit your view.

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

We install mirrors from Priora on a VAZ 2106

1. First of all, we dismantle the old mirrors and try on new mirrors from Priora in their place. As the fitting showed, the fasteners do not fit and installing these mirrors will not allow fastenings that need to be cut.
2. You need to cut the mirror mounts along the line that can be seen in the photo. As a tool, I recommend using a “grinder” or a hacksaw, in the absence of the former.

Chrome plating of rear view mirrors

Sometimes it is difficult to find a side mirror in a chrome housing 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 chrome vinyl film to the mirror body;
• painting the mirror with special chrome paint followed by varnishing.

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

Applying chrome vinyl film to the mirror body

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

• stationery knife;
• squeegee (for smoothing the film over the surface of the body);
• construction hairdryer

The film is applied as follows:

1. The surface of the mirror body is cleaned of dirt and dried. In this case, you can use any cleaning products.
2. The paper backing is removed from a piece of film cut to the size of the mirror.
3. Using a hair dryer, the film is heated to 50–60°C.
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 the places where the film will be cut.

   
   For a tighter fit to the mirror body, the film stretches in all directions

5. The film cools 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. Sections of the film with folds are stretched to the edge of the mirror body. If necessary, these areas can be 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 across the entire mirror body without bubbles or folds.
8. The free edge of the film is cut off with a margin and wrapped inward - where the reflective element is installed.
9. The folded edge is heated and pressed with a squeegee.
10. The entire surface of the film is smoothed again with a squeegee.

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