I agree with everything said above.
C3 Passenger Side Mirror
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 99
C3 Passenger Side Mirror
Hi everyone!
I waited 45 ish years but I finally bought my dream car yesterday (73 Vette). It's really a cool car, but has a couple minor problems. One is the passenger side mirror is limp, meaning it's there just won't stay in one place. What's the fix for that, just buy a new mirror and replace? I read somewhere that that screw on bottom part of mirror is just a set screw to hold it onto a plate. Is that correct?
Thanks in advance!!!
I waited 45 ish years but I finally bought my dream car yesterday (73 Vette). It's really a cool car, but has a couple minor problems. One is the passenger side mirror is limp, meaning it's there just won't stay in one place. What's the fix for that, just buy a new mirror and replace? I read somewhere that that screw on bottom part of mirror is just a set screw to hold it onto a plate. Is that correct?
Thanks in advance!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What won't stay in one place? If it's the head of the mirror, you may not be able to tighten it up. If the mirror itself is moving, you may be able to replace the well-nuts.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Great looking car!
Excellent color for a '73.
Once the swivel is loose the mirror is finished. You can just buy a new mirror from any of the Corvette parts vendors. Not too expensive and a 5 minute change up.
Excellent color for a '73.
Once the swivel is loose the mirror is finished. You can just buy a new mirror from any of the Corvette parts vendors. Not too expensive and a 5 minute change up.
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 177
Likes: 35
From: pa
very nice looking 73! my first drive in a corvette was a 73 very similar to yours a long time ago. your mirror can be repaired. do a search on the site and I think you will find some help. you have to remove the complete mirror and then soak it in gas to remove the glass. then shim the rivits inside with small washers. pretty easy. I saved my dated driver side mirror with the same issue.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
Very nice 73.
Welcome to the forum.
The passenger side mirror was a dealer installed option in 73.
I added the passenger side mirror for my 73 after I got it.
I purchased mine from Corvette Central.
It is nice quality and comes with good installation instructions for the proper placement.
They are also available "date stamped" if you are interested in the little extra cost and wait times.
Welcome to the forum.
The passenger side mirror was a dealer installed option in 73.
I added the passenger side mirror for my 73 after I got it.
I purchased mine from Corvette Central.
It is nice quality and comes with good installation instructions for the proper placement.
They are also available "date stamped" if you are interested in the little extra cost and wait times.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 779
From: Persona Non Grata
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Both mine were loose and floppy. It took several applications, and no Viagra needed. I used Green Locktite. Aimed the mirror to the ground, applied some of the magic elixir to the ball, and then adjusted the mirror to suit. Be certain to put something under the mirror to catch any drips. Like I said, it took several applications, but the stuff works. Be certain you aim the mirror correctly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 205
From: Lewes Delaware
Welcome to the 73 club! Great looking car; that orange looks sharp. The loose mirror has been covered in many threads here on the C3 Forum. Go to Advanced Search , search for the words "loose" and "mirror", refine your search to the C3 Technical and C3 General Forums and you will get many hist with solutions to your problem.
Let us know how it works and post more pics and details of that hot ride of yours.
Fran
Let us know how it works and post more pics and details of that hot ride of yours.
Fran
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
Both mine were loose and floppy. It took several applications, and no Viagra needed. I used Green Locktite. Aimed the mirror to the ground, applied some of the magic elixir to the ball, and then adjusted the mirror to suit. Be certain to put something under the mirror to catch any drips. Like I said, it took several applications, but the stuff works. Be certain you aim the mirror correctly.
Last edited by pmr2000; Nov 20, 2019 at 04:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
I just opened the mirrors from my '71 and the shim trick was already done. Looks like cold weld was used so it's not coming out and I plan to buy new ones. I hear a lot of people talk about "junk" when getting parts from some of the aftermarket dealers. Has anyone bought new side mirrors and been happy with the quality? If so, where did you buy from? Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
I just opened the mirrors from my '71 and the shim trick was already done. Looks like cold weld was used so it's not coming out and I plan to buy new ones. I hear a lot of people talk about "junk" when getting parts from some of the aftermarket dealers. Has anyone bought new side mirrors and been happy with the quality? If so, where did you buy from? Thanks!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
I just read a thread in which some repro mirrors don't match up with the original mount, and the holes for the accompanying mounts don't match the holes for the original. Did you see anything like this with the ones you bought?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
My 73 wasn’t factory equipped with the passenger side mirror.
On the 73’s, the passenger side mirrors were not a factory option and were installed by the dealerships.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 721
From: Marietta GA
Read various post as you will find step by step instructions. I followed the method that uses screws with a metal plate to hold the “ball” then a nice amount of epoxy to make sure the screws won’t get loose. I need to do my passenger side mirror next.