Maintaining Outside Mirror Position
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Maintaining Outside Mirror Position
I have a 1975 Corvette (with a modified 1974 454 Cu.In. engine!). Does anyone have a useable solution to the "drooping" of my outside mirror?
I have considered super-gluing it in position, which would be at least a semi-permanent solution, but I am open to any other possible solutions. Thank you!
I have considered super-gluing it in position, which would be at least a semi-permanent solution, but I am open to any other possible solutions. Thank you!
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Nothing short of welding them in place will hold them. Even with the super glue, the first time they are knocked, the bond will break. I have been down this road, even took one apart to try and engineer something better. Eventually, no matter what you do, they will be lose again.
I am on my 2nd set of new mirrors in 9yrs, and the passenger side has just started to show signs of losing it's grip.
I am currently looking at alternatives.
I am on my 2nd set of new mirrors in 9yrs, and the passenger side has just started to show signs of losing it's grip.
I am currently looking at alternatives.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 153
I don't know if the 75 has the same type of mirror as my 69 but here's how I solved my droopy mirror problem.After buying a new mirror off different major venders almost every other year I got smart and brought one off Paragon that's American made. It's been on there 5 or 6 years and no droop yet. I have an f-41 suspension and have bumped into it many times in my garage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 96
From: Bowmanville Ontario
Paul74 posted this on another tread a while back. I have not tried it but I kept it as a possible zero-cost solution down the road.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/chrome_mirror.pdf
Ken
PS there are a lot of other documents on this page to review:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/chrome_mirror.pdf
Ken
PS there are a lot of other documents on this page to review:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 261
Likes: 7
Put a drop of superglue on the ball that goes into the socket. Don't get it on the car! Move the mirror around vigorously while it sets. Repeat. I did this when I had the same problem, and it has worked flawlessly. I can adjust the mirror just fine.
By doing it this way, you are NOT gluing the mirror into place per se. You are adding material to the ball and socket to create adequate friction to hold the mirror into place. I don't know if it will work with every mirror, but mine was pretty floppy. If you ask me, this should be the first thing to try before soaking the mirror in gas or buying another one. It took me all of 15 seconds for what has been so far a permanent repair.
By doing it this way, you are NOT gluing the mirror into place per se. You are adding material to the ball and socket to create adequate friction to hold the mirror into place. I don't know if it will work with every mirror, but mine was pretty floppy. If you ask me, this should be the first thing to try before soaking the mirror in gas or buying another one. It took me all of 15 seconds for what has been so far a permanent repair.
Last edited by ryanmh; Sep 3, 2013 at 11:37 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I had the same problem until I found aftermarket mirrors that look almost the same as the original only shorter in hight with a screw on the back to tighten the swivel that's holding the mirror every time it got loose ,
they just arrived and will have them fixed next week
they just arrived and will have them fixed next week
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
they start the 'drooping due to the rubber nutserts that hold them to the door allowing the entire unit to vibrate. over time the friction fit of the head loosens. best way to install your new mirrors when you get tired of the issue, is to use hollow door anchors for the base mounts. that way there isnt the vibration from that mess to start with. $.37 at home depot X4
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 264
Likes: 58
From: Virginia
A trick I tried on old motorcycle mirrors once was to wedge a thin strip of metal tape around the ball. It lasted quite a while and I rode it everyday. It was almost unnoticeable. The superglue technique sounds good. I think I'll try it on mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...QEwCA&dur=7305
heres a link, they make different lengths, these anchor in your door and then you use the screws to attach the mount to them. there is a metal strap behind your current mirror mounting holes inside the door that you may need to drill thru so these will go in all the way, you can try different lengths, I didnt find any short enough not to drill. but the anchor doesnt anchor to it and doesnt cause any issue with your window when done. it only allows the anchor to seat fully. Once I decided this was what I was going to do, , 5 minutes start to finish. I also locktited the screws ,hope this helps
Last edited by oldalaskaman; Sep 4, 2013 at 03:07 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
no use the metal ones, hold on I'll find a picture
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...QEwCA&dur=7305
heres a link, they make different lengths, these anchor in your door and then you use the screws to attach the mount to them. there is a metal strap behind your current mirror mounting holes inside the door that you may need to drill thru so these will go in all the way, you can try different lengths, I didnt find any short enough not to drill. but the anchor doesnt anchor to it and doesnt cause any issue with your window when done. it only allows the anchor to seat fully. Once I decided this was what I was going to do, , 5 minutes start to finish. I also locktited the screws ,hope this helps
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...QEwCA&dur=7305
heres a link, they make different lengths, these anchor in your door and then you use the screws to attach the mount to them. there is a metal strap behind your current mirror mounting holes inside the door that you may need to drill thru so these will go in all the way, you can try different lengths, I didnt find any short enough not to drill. but the anchor doesnt anchor to it and doesnt cause any issue with your window when done. it only allows the anchor to seat fully. Once I decided this was what I was going to do, , 5 minutes start to finish. I also locktited the screws ,hope this helps
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Drooping mirror
I followed the link from Ken74, the side mirror has been fine since, did exactly as the procedure in the link say, it does work. For the rear view mirror there is a spring, "ball socket spring steel u-shaped mounting clip, maintains tension on ball" , I got it from Dr. Rebuild, works perfect, no more adjusting after each bump in the road.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,694
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Paul74 posted this on another tread a while back. I have not tried it but I kept it as a possible zero-cost solution down the road.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/chrome_mirror.pdf
Ken
url]
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/chrome_mirror.pdf
Ken
url]
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Well, it's not exactly "permanent". I did this to my 'droopy' right-side mirror about 5 years ago. Guess what? It's 'droopy' again!
The materials used for the mirror components aren't that great...mild steel and pot metal. But, repairing the mirror in this manner is better than paying for an aftermarket replacement--which will also get droopy in about 5 years.
I havent' re-repaired my r/s mirror because I'm trying to locate a source for a convex mirror insert, so my view is better. If I gotta go in there again, I want some additional benefit as a result.
P.S. The view in that mirror with a 'flat' surface is marginal, at best.
The materials used for the mirror components aren't that great...mild steel and pot metal. But, repairing the mirror in this manner is better than paying for an aftermarket replacement--which will also get droopy in about 5 years.
I havent' re-repaired my r/s mirror because I'm trying to locate a source for a convex mirror insert, so my view is better. If I gotta go in there again, I want some additional benefit as a result.
P.S. The view in that mirror with a 'flat' surface is marginal, at best.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 96
From: Bowmanville Ontario
I havent' re-repaired my r/s mirror because I'm trying to locate a source for a convex mirror insert, so my view is better. If I gotta go in there again, I want some additional benefit as a result.
P.S. The view in that mirror with a 'flat' surface is marginal, at best.
P.S. The view in that mirror with a 'flat' surface is marginal, at best.
I was even tempted to buy newer mirrors and forget about keeping it stock.
