Sunvisor- did I ruin it???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Huxley Iowa
Sunvisor- did I ruin it???
So I just got an 80 a couple weeks ago. I've never done much work on cars but am always willing to give it a shot. I figured I'd start out with some easier stuff and work my way up from there. My car was missing the driver's side sunvisor so I thought that would be a good place to start. I purchased an oyster sunvisor and hardware kit from Willlcox.
Last night I decided to give it a go since the parts just came in. The sunvisor hinge must have broken off becasue the screw part was stuck in the inlet hole. I took off the retainer cap and spring. Next the directions said to remove the hinge and to you a punch if it was stuck or rusted. I hammered and hammered on that thing and it would budge but it was starting to break apart. I was hoping it would eventually pop out but it never did and I ended up mashing the metal. In my frustration I took a drill and got out as much of the metal as I could until I had a hole big enough for the new hinge to fit in. I must have taken out too much metal because the hinge will not stay in place. Now the sunvisor just falls out of the hole.
Is there anything I can do/use to get the sunvisor hinge to stay in the hole while still being able to move and adjust the visor?
Last night I decided to give it a go since the parts just came in. The sunvisor hinge must have broken off becasue the screw part was stuck in the inlet hole. I took off the retainer cap and spring. Next the directions said to remove the hinge and to you a punch if it was stuck or rusted. I hammered and hammered on that thing and it would budge but it was starting to break apart. I was hoping it would eventually pop out but it never did and I ended up mashing the metal. In my frustration I took a drill and got out as much of the metal as I could until I had a hole big enough for the new hinge to fit in. I must have taken out too much metal because the hinge will not stay in place. Now the sunvisor just falls out of the hole.
Is there anything I can do/use to get the sunvisor hinge to stay in the hole while still being able to move and adjust the visor?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte N.C.
It may not be as bad as it seems, I found out recently when I did my visor elbow that when you try to push down the retainer ( kind of like a washer with teeth ) onto the spring the elbow and the visor would fall out from the bottom, The spring is under alot of pressure. What I found worked best for me was to have someone sit in driver seat and with the palm of there hand press firmly on the elbow upwards the same time I'm pressing downward on the retainer. I used two flathead screwdrivers at the same time. Keep in mind, once you think youve got the retainer on and its holding, you still need to go down about an 1/8 of an inch. I hope this is the case with your visor, good-luck. 
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
So I just got an 80 a couple weeks ago. I've never done much work on cars but am always willing to give it a shot. I figured I'd start out with some easier stuff and work my way up from there. My car was missing the driver's side sunvisor so I thought that would be a good place to start. I purchased an oyster sunvisor and hardware kit from Willlcox.
Last night I decided to give it a go since the parts just came in. The sunvisor hinge must have broken off becasue the screw part was stuck in the inlet hole. I took off the retainer cap and spring. Next the directions said to remove the hinge and to you a punch if it was stuck or rusted. I hammered and hammered on that thing and it would budge but it was starting to break apart. I was hoping it would eventually pop out but it never did and I ended up mashing the metal. In my frustration I took a drill and got out as much of the metal as I could until I had a hole big enough for the new hinge to fit in. I must have taken out too much metal because the hinge will not stay in place. Now the sunvisor just falls out of the hole.
Is there anything I can do/use to get the sunvisor hinge to stay in the hole while still being able to move and adjust the visor?
Last night I decided to give it a go since the parts just came in. The sunvisor hinge must have broken off becasue the screw part was stuck in the inlet hole. I took off the retainer cap and spring. Next the directions said to remove the hinge and to you a punch if it was stuck or rusted. I hammered and hammered on that thing and it would budge but it was starting to break apart. I was hoping it would eventually pop out but it never did and I ended up mashing the metal. In my frustration I took a drill and got out as much of the metal as I could until I had a hole big enough for the new hinge to fit in. I must have taken out too much metal because the hinge will not stay in place. Now the sunvisor just falls out of the hole.
Is there anything I can do/use to get the sunvisor hinge to stay in the hole while still being able to move and adjust the visor?
However since you started with a lower scale job one to ten that job being A 7ish , any way you have to tell yourself all the time take your time ,if this was easy everybody would be doing it . that sunvisor should be your guide not to get this fustrated again thats why the forum is here when you get to a point where you cant seem to go any further take A brake wash your hands go in get on the forum and ask some questions BEFORE you start to do the Bubba thing which is anything that the factory or at least A good Chevy Dealer would NOT do.
So I guess Im saying ENJOY the car but let people help you that have done The same kinda of Job before.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Huxley Iowa
It may not be as bad as it seems, I found out recently when I did my visor elbow that when you try to push down the retainer ( kind of like a washer with teeth ) onto the spring the elbow and the visor would fall out from the bottom, The spring is under alot of pressure. What I found worked best for me was to have someone sit in driver seat and with the palm of there hand press firmly on the elbow upwards the same time I'm pressing downward on the retainer. I used two flathead screwdrivers at the same time. Keep in mind, once you think youve got the retainer on and its holding, you still need to go down about an 1/8 of an inch. I hope this is the case with your visor, good-luck.
Thank you for the reply. Here's another question for you: What is the purpose of having a threaded elbow if it doesn't screw into anything? I will try again tonight to have someone put some pressure on the elbow while I load the spring and retainer.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
Not sure on the Repair :
However since you started with a lower scale job one to ten that job being A 7ish , any way you have to tell yourself all the time take your time ,if this was easy everybody would be doing it . that sunvisor should be your guide not to get this fustrated again thats why the forum is here when you get to a point where you cant seem to go any further take A brake wash your hands go in get on the forum and ask some questions BEFORE you start to do the Bubba thing which is anything that the factory or at least A good Chevy Dealer would NOT do.
So I guess Im saying ENJOY the car but let people help you that have done The same kinda of Job before.
However since you started with a lower scale job one to ten that job being A 7ish , any way you have to tell yourself all the time take your time ,if this was easy everybody would be doing it . that sunvisor should be your guide not to get this fustrated again thats why the forum is here when you get to a point where you cant seem to go any further take A brake wash your hands go in get on the forum and ask some questions BEFORE you start to do the Bubba thing which is anything that the factory or at least A good Chevy Dealer would NOT do.
So I guess Im saying ENJOY the car but let people help you that have done The same kinda of Job before.
About your visor: I can't picture in my head what you did. That may be because your set-up is different than the '69-'70 cars I have worked on, or my poor reading comprehension skills might be rearing their ugly head again. Either way, if what 82cruiser posted gets you going, great. Otherwise, post a pic.
Good luck!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte N.C.
I've said the same thing. But the retainer is suppose to hold it in place. You probably know by now if it was that easy: IT WOULDNT BE A VETT!! 
Let us know the results and again good-luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
I had the same job on my '80 way back when it was still driveable, from a real foggy memory I seem to remember that piece being not threaded but a series of ridges that the retainer actually grips as the SPRING is depressed, I do remember quite clearly being baffled untill I sat and looked at it and figured it out. Its still on the car and tight. Good luck in your future repairs, it is an experience, Peace,,,Moosie 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 670
From: Northeast
Did you read this first:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005...r/sunvisor.asp
Instead of using two screwdrivers use a 1/4 inch drive 3/8 deep socket. A hammer will help get the spring down to catch. Hopefully this will work for you.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005...r/sunvisor.asp
Instead of using two screwdrivers use a 1/4 inch drive 3/8 deep socket. A hammer will help get the spring down to catch. Hopefully this will work for you.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Huxley Iowa
Thanks for the additional info. Using these tips I was able to install the sunvisor and it doesn't fallout anymore. On the downside it is a little loose (as in moves to easy) even when I don't touch it. Any idea how to tighten it up? Do I just need more pressure on the spring?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte N.C.
Hey smoking gun, and yes you may have to go down a little more. But, it does bring me back to your first post when you say you used a drill to get the existing elbow out. I dont know how much damage if any you may have caused. The only thing that I could suggest at this point is take just the cap off the other visor and see how far the other retainer is down on the spring and use that for a reference (depth). As far as the drill, you possibly could have bored the hole out bigger. I hope this is not the case, keep us posted. I almost forgot, tap lightly on the elbow using a towel or shop rag with a hammer to make sure it's snug before you try to go down on the retainer some more. This may give it the tightness you need.
I almost forgot, tap lightly on the elbow using a towel or shop rag with a hammer to make sure it's snug before you try to go down on the retainer some more. This may give it the tightness you need.
Last edited by 82cruiser; Sep 9, 2009 at 01:56 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Buda,TX
Smoking Gun;1571379528 LOOSE SUNVISOR
I bought a 1980 C-3 a year ago, and recently went through the same scenario you experienced. My elbow was missing. I drilled the broken piece out of the fitting above the windshield - where the elbow is inserted and the spring and retaining washer and chrome "top cap" go, and used a new plastic "clam" which fits inside the elbow, once the external spring on the elbow is removed. The sunvisor still falls down slowly - bit dangerous while driving. All of my parts were from "Volunteer." "Reproduction Parts," I have learned - rarely fit, and must be "tweaked."
Your entry to the Forum looks to be a year ago or so. Did you ever resolve the problem, and if so how?
Thanks!
Your entry to the Forum looks to be a year ago or so. Did you ever resolve the problem, and if so how?
Thanks!
