Floppy Side Mirrors
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Floppy Side Mirrors
Guys,
I recall someone posting about this problem with aftermarket side mirrors that would not stay in position.
I purchased some mirrors from one of the major suppliers and had them on a shelf in the box for over a year before I installed them recently. Looked great for all of about 50 miles.
Right side mirror will now just flop down and not hold its position.
When I had read the post I could not relate, but now, well I guess I'm part of the club.
Any good known fixes? I think the post had some suggestions such as a drop of glue.
Any good suppliers that have better quality replacements?
Thanks
I recall someone posting about this problem with aftermarket side mirrors that would not stay in position.
I purchased some mirrors from one of the major suppliers and had them on a shelf in the box for over a year before I installed them recently. Looked great for all of about 50 miles.
Right side mirror will now just flop down and not hold its position.
When I had read the post I could not relate, but now, well I guess I'm part of the club.
Any good known fixes? I think the post had some suggestions such as a drop of glue.
Any good suppliers that have better quality replacements?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Same problem here. My OEM drivers' side mirror holds great; the new right side mirror flops around. In fact, I actually took it off the car about six months ago. It was too much of a distraction and I always wanted to look over there instead of looking at the road ahead.
The aftermarket repro mirrors look good, but it's cheap Schnitzel and not well designed. In my case, the base part fits well on the door and it's tight. The problem was the fit between the mirror itself, and the base. Drawing up the bolt to tighten it up does not correct the problem: there's a gap between the parts that does not go away.
The aftermarket repro mirrors look good, but it's cheap Schnitzel and not well designed. In my case, the base part fits well on the door and it's tight. The problem was the fit between the mirror itself, and the base. Drawing up the bolt to tighten it up does not correct the problem: there's a gap between the parts that does not go away.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
This may or may not help you, but it worked for me. My 68 has just the drivers side mirror with the ball joint. Whenever you really step on the gas, the mirror will tilt due to the wind hitting it and pushing it downward, making it useless until I manually put it back into position.
What I did was take it off and replace it with an identical replacement from Ecklers (yes, I'm that **** about originality in the 68, heh - if I want to modify something I always keep the original part and modify a replacement part). The replacement part did the same thing, as expected, so I took it off and drilled a small hole in the outer part of the ball joint, threaded it, and twisted an allen bolt into the new hole (not tight yet). Then I put it back on the car, positioned the mirror where I wanted it, and turned the allen bolt down the rest of the way. The extra friction keeps the mirror right where I want it, and if I need to move it I just loosen it up, reposition, and retighten.
What I did was take it off and replace it with an identical replacement from Ecklers (yes, I'm that **** about originality in the 68, heh - if I want to modify something I always keep the original part and modify a replacement part). The replacement part did the same thing, as expected, so I took it off and drilled a small hole in the outer part of the ball joint, threaded it, and twisted an allen bolt into the new hole (not tight yet). Then I put it back on the car, positioned the mirror where I wanted it, and turned the allen bolt down the rest of the way. The extra friction keeps the mirror right where I want it, and if I need to move it I just loosen it up, reposition, and retighten.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,801
Likes: 0
From: Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the women TX
Guys,
I recall someone posting about this problem with aftermarket side mirrors that would not stay in position.
I purchased some mirrors from one of the major suppliers and had them on a shelf in the box for over a year before I installed them recently. Looked great for all of about 50 miles.
Right side mirror will now just flop down and not hold its position.
When I had read the post I could not relate, but now, well I guess I'm part of the club.
Any good known fixes? I think the post had some suggestions such as a drop of glue.
Any good suppliers that have better quality replacements?
Thanks
I recall someone posting about this problem with aftermarket side mirrors that would not stay in position.
I purchased some mirrors from one of the major suppliers and had them on a shelf in the box for over a year before I installed them recently. Looked great for all of about 50 miles.
Right side mirror will now just flop down and not hold its position.
When I had read the post I could not relate, but now, well I guess I'm part of the club.
Any good known fixes? I think the post had some suggestions such as a drop of glue.
Any good suppliers that have better quality replacements?
Thanks
Not sure if the glass will come out intact; I got a little uh, enthusiastic about making sure it would never come back out when I installed it.
God favors idiots like me tho and, for whatever reason, a month after I got the mirror glass, the company sent me a second mirror, so I have a spare.
I may even rough up the ball to ensure a good grip from the strap.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 109
From: B'ham Alabama
Luckily, my 76's mirrors are still tight. However, I deal with old MG's a lot, and they have the same problem. The way I fix them is; take the mirror head off, cut a small round piece of felt type matrial and position it around the ball head. Reinstall the arm and when you tighten it up, the felt helps hold the head tight and in position. The felt will not deteriorate like other materials do. I have an older MGB that has been this way for almost 3 years and still holds tight.
Just an idea!!
Just an idea!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington PA
There was a thread a while back about soaking in gas and loosening the mirror. I'll see if I can find it.
Not only does my drivers side mirror flop around, but the whole thing wiggles like it's missing the support in the door. When it flexes, it looks like it'll rip off a piece of fiberglass. But the bracket is there, in the door. ????
Not only does my drivers side mirror flop around, but the whole thing wiggles like it's missing the support in the door. When it flexes, it looks like it'll rip off a piece of fiberglass. But the bracket is there, in the door. ????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,801
Likes: 0
From: Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the women TX
Don't know about aftermarket but my right side mirror catches hell from the wind and vibration. When I got the car the glass on the mirror was gone. I ordered more glass and fixed it in there. Doesn't help much with the thing moving tho. Tried silicone around the back (outside) part of the ball to hold it but.... well.... if I go fast enough it still moves. I DO recall that there was a flat strap with 2 bolts holding it against the ball. If I get time today I'll remove the glass, unbolt the strap and flatten it before bolting it back in. I suspect the additional friction of the tighter clamping will hold the mirror like the left side does.
Not sure if the glass will come out intact; I got a little uh, enthusiastic about making sure it would never come back out when I installed it.
God favors idiots like me tho and, for whatever reason, a month after I got the mirror glass, the company sent me a second mirror, so I have a spare.
I may even rough up the ball to ensure a good grip from the strap.
Not sure if the glass will come out intact; I got a little uh, enthusiastic about making sure it would never come back out when I installed it.
God favors idiots like me tho and, for whatever reason, a month after I got the mirror glass, the company sent me a second mirror, so I have a spare.
I may even rough up the ball to ensure a good grip from the strap.
However, I rooted on the workbench for just the right tool..... ah! a rusty ½" woodbit. I indented the collar around the inside of the ball and noticed that the ball itself wasn't just the most case hardened thing I'd ever seen. I put a beautiful and precise little pattern of divots all the way around the ball. About 5 rows deep.
It ain't about to move now! In fact it takes a bit of force to put it where you want it. Since I'm not planning on putting LEDs in it and a motor and having it spin around at stop lights, I have no problem with the ball resembling a big buckyball.... or maybe a woodrasp.
And in 50 years when it's caught on fire and is in a junkyard, it's still gonna point right down along the rear fender flare.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington PA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
A while back another member posted some pics of the inside of the mirror with this problem. They were very helpful, but stupidly I didn't print them out for my reference. My search didn't turn anything up either.
Anyone remember who posted those, or the link?
Anyone remember who posted those, or the link?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: North Ga
Follow the prior link. I fixed mine a month ago the repair works ( I used a cut washer instead of the metal shim).
The great thing about this forum is that it has good info from good people thanks to all.
The great thing about this forum is that it has good info from good people thanks to all.
