Rear View Mirror tightening ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
Mine is loose too
The drivers side outside rear view mirror has the glass portion loose as well. It is a chromed mirror assembly.
The mount to the door is very tight, no problem.
When I close the door, the mirror changes position. Any speed over 80 mph has enough air drag to cause the mirror to point down.
Anybody know a scheme to tighten the mirror up on its pivot ball?
Thanks
Bob
The mount to the door is very tight, no problem.
When I close the door, the mirror changes position. Any speed over 80 mph has enough air drag to cause the mirror to point down.
Anybody know a scheme to tighten the mirror up on its pivot ball?
Thanks
Bob
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
The best I have done is to Loctite the mirror in the right position.
I have also put some punch marks on the ball of the ball joint, and that works for a while but eventually loosens up.
I have also considered removing the glass, setting the mirror to the right spot and siliconing the INSIDE of the ball and then replacing the glass.
I have also put some punch marks on the ball of the ball joint, and that works for a while but eventually loosens up.
I have also considered removing the glass, setting the mirror to the right spot and siliconing the INSIDE of the ball and then replacing the glass.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
don't know if it would work on an exterior mirror, but this is what I did on my interior one: saved some of that sticky-glue-crap that comes on the back of a new credit card (holds it to the paper, but peels off with no residue). Then I took apart my mirror and put a thin layer of this sticky stuff over the ball pivot joint and re-assembled. It used to drift all over the place, now it holds it's position but is also adjustible if necessary.
FWIW.
FWIW.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You can remove the glass by soaking the mirror head in lacquer thinner or gasoline (careful!) overnight. Use enough fluid to cover the head. When it comes apart, you will see where the looseness is coming from. The best fix is to make a thin metal shim to put under one {or both} rivets. If you try pounding to tighten the rivets, you may ruin the head. After tightening, use RTV on the "posts" and lay the glass in. Position the head with the glass up and level with no weight on it [to hold it down]. Should be OK.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,381
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
You can remove the glass by soaking the mirror head in lacquer thinner or gasoline (careful!) overnight. Use enough fluid to cover the head. When it comes apart, you will see where the looseness is coming from. The best fix is to make a thin metal shim to put under one {or both} rivets. If you try pounding to tighten the rivets, you may ruin the head. After tightening, use RTV on the "posts" and lay the glass in. Position the head with the glass up and level with no weight on it [to hold it down]. Should be OK.
Or buy a new one and hope it's of good quality.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 2
From: Buies Creek NC
He's talking about the bigger oval mirror that comes on the 78-82 Vettes. My 81 is loose between the oval part that holds the mirror and the base that attaches to the door. THAT is what TortureTest is trying to tighten...not the old style chrome mirror. What's the remedy for those?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 2
From: Buies Creek NC
The one on my black '81 is not chrome. It is body color and has a large oval top/housing that holds the mirror & adjustment assembly. It has a base that attaches to the door that is also black. Between the base and the oval housing is where mine is loose. Anyone know how to tighten this style mirror?