Wobbly side mirrors
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 31
From: NJ
Wobbly side mirrors
On my 71 LT-1 I have loose/wobbly mirrors. I had a 70 for 6 years and had the mirrors off to clean and know the set up for the mirrors fairly well.
Issue is that the hex head on the mirrors that hold it to the plate on the door are stripped. I cannot get any hex set or size to grip at all.
Suggestions to get the mirrors off so I can properly clean them????
Issue is that the hex head on the mirrors that hold it to the plate on the door are stripped. I cannot get any hex set or size to grip at all.
Suggestions to get the mirrors off so I can properly clean them????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Chetwynd B.C.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Brisbane Australia
Get a dremel or file and cut some slots in each side of the remaining hex head, then try and get a screwdriver in there to turn it out. Try to squirt a bit of penetrating oil in there first to aid the extraction process.
Also as far as the floppy mirrors go, most of the advice on here is if they are original. If they are chinese repros then once you follow the same instructions and get the glass out you will find screws holding on the plate instead of rivets, and usually a nylon washer between it and the ball of the mirror mount. Nylon washer can split causing the droop. Solution is to get another washer and put it all back together. Don't replace it with a rubber washer as it won't usually hold the mirror right.
Azza
Also as far as the floppy mirrors go, most of the advice on here is if they are original. If they are chinese repros then once you follow the same instructions and get the glass out you will find screws holding on the plate instead of rivets, and usually a nylon washer between it and the ball of the mirror mount. Nylon washer can split causing the droop. Solution is to get another washer and put it all back together. Don't replace it with a rubber washer as it won't usually hold the mirror right.
Azza
Last edited by azza2u; Jun 13, 2012 at 07:22 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
If the allen head screw is rounded out so the allen head will not work you might be best to drill the screw out,you could try a metric allen in hopes it will hold 1 time. After you need new allen screws.
(You could try driving in a torx but thats risky.)
When you say wobbly,are you referring to the mirror head or is the mirror wobbly at the base wher it meets the door ? If it is the base I have a method to tighten that up a bit.
(You could try driving in a torx but thats risky.)
When you say wobbly,are you referring to the mirror head or is the mirror wobbly at the base wher it meets the door ? If it is the base I have a method to tighten that up a bit.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 31
From: NJ
Sorry, yes, referring to where the mirror meets the door. The mirror head itself is solid.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...rs-mirror.html
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
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From: Texas
My right mirror was a little wobbly where it meets the door. I put some Rapidfix super glue to it and it is as tight as can be. Google Rapidfix. That stuff is beyond normal super glue and will not let you down. Guaranteed. I keep some on hand all the time for many fixes around the home and even some places on the Vette.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Chino CA
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
I'd like to add ,the taper screw is a little misleading and I don't think most understand how it works. It actually pulls the base bracket up inside the mirror,the mirror body is sitting on the door surface,so the more the base is pulled up inside the tighter the mirror is against the door. The taper on the screw is what pulls the base,but once it goes so far and bottoms out it can't pull anymore leaving the mirror wobbly.
I hope that wasn't confusing,you have to have it in your hands to really see it.
I hope that wasn't confusing,you have to have it in your hands to really see it.
Last edited by ...Roger...; Jun 14, 2012 at 02:11 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
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From: Texas
http://www.rapid-fix.com/Rapid-Fix.com/HOME.html
I can tell no one has gone to this page for a solution. Even if you don't use it for this purpose, you need to watch the video. I can attest it does what it claims. Period.
I can tell no one has gone to this page for a solution. Even if you don't use it for this purpose, you need to watch the video. I can attest it does what it claims. Period.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
http://www.rapid-fix.com/Rapid-Fix.com/HOME.html
I can tell no one has gone to this page for a solution. Even if you don't use it for this purpose, you need to watch the video. I can attest it does what it claims. Period.
I can tell no one has gone to this page for a solution. Even if you don't use it for this purpose, you need to watch the video. I can attest it does what it claims. Period.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Most mirrors just screw to the base, GMs design is unique,and works well if everything fits right.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Brisbane Australia
On my awesome chinese repros 
the tapered screw was bottoming out before the mirror was tight against the door as well. Instead of using a thicker gasket I just added some blobs of silicon sealant to the bottom of the mirror stem and let them cure before reassembling. Worked a treat to stop the wobble.
the tapered screw was bottoming out before the mirror was tight against the door as well. Instead of using a thicker gasket I just added some blobs of silicon sealant to the bottom of the mirror stem and let them cure before reassembling. Worked a treat to stop the wobble.
Last edited by azza2u; Jun 14, 2012 at 06:35 PM.
Burning Brakes
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From: Belle River Ontario
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Le Mans Master
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From: Texas
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Chino CA
So back to your idea of gluing my mirror on.....it's ridiculous.