Folding mirror mechanism broke...how to remove mirror glass?

For a 2007 Prius with power side view mirrors:

The spring-loaded folding mechanism on my power driver's side view mirror broke. Took the cover off (the painted part) and see that the large washer that sits on top of the big spring came off. Doesn't look like anything is broken, just that the washer that compresses the spring came off. Problem is I can't remove the mirror glass to get to it to put the washer back in. It looks like the mirror glass is held onto the motorized round part (the round part that moves the mirror) by 4 sets of 2 small clips each at roughly the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions (total of 8 clips). Was able to loosen some of these clips with a small hooked tool and/or screwdriver, even broke a few off, but the mirror glass is still stuck fast. Not budging at all.

So I'm thinking that the glass is glued on in addition to the clips. Can anyone confirm this? I really don't want to break the mirror glass to remove it. And I am trying to avoid having to buy a whole new power mirror assembly if I can fix mine. If it is glued on, is there any way to remove the glass without breaking it?

It looks like a simple fix if I can just get the mirror glass off. Just push down on that washer to compress the spring and turn it into the locked position.

Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks...

 

Thank you John but I had already found those exact instructions on Priuschat but they didn't work. I tried pulling the bottom edge outward as hard as I dared but it didn't budge, and was fearful that if I tried pulling any harder the glass would shatter in my hands. Maybe this method works for manual mirrors but I don't think it works for power mirrors. Or maybe it works for other year cars but not my 2007.

Again, when I look up in there with a strong flashlight I can see the 4 sets of clips at the 2/4/8/10 o'clock positions holding the glass to the round motorized part that moves the mirror up/down/left/right. But pulling the clips out with a small hooked tool, and even breaking a few of them, did not loosen the mirror at all.

So that's why I am thinking that the glass is also glued on.

Can someone who has actually removed the glass from a Gen II power side mirror chime in here? Is the mirror glued on as I suspect? Any way to remove it without breaking it? A picture of the back of the glass with its plastic carrier would be very helpful.

Many thanks...

 

Thanks so much for the picture John. This confirms that this is NOT what my mirror looks like. This must be from a manual mirror, or perhaps from a different year. Mine is completely different - there are no round bars that it snaps on to. But at least I now know for sure that the "grab and pull" method will not work.

So again...can anyone help me?

 

OK, I think I figured out what's going on here! It looks like the mirror I have is an AFTERMARKET mirror. It must have been replaced by the previous owner. Because when I compare it to the passenger side mirror it is different (my passenger side mirror looks like the one in the picture above). And the passenger side mirror has a Toyota part number stamped into the black plastic on the underside, whereas the driver's side mirror does not...there is no part number at all. And the 3 screws on the underside of the Toyota part are Torx screws but on the other one they are Philips screws. So even though both mirrors look identical on the outside their internal mechanisms are completely different.

So I think this explains my problem. And I do believe the glass on the aftermarket mirror is glued on so removing the glass without breaking it is impossible.

Thanks John for all your help.

Beachbum