Loose Mirror Fix
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
Loose Mirror Fix
I thought I should share a POSITIVE fix for chronic loose headed chrome mirrors.
First,this does NOT look totally stock.
After removing the mirror glass (soak overnight in gasoline (careful) or suitable solvent to melt the silicone adhesive) grind off the "rivet" heads that are holding the leaf type spring that loads the pivot ball. Grind down the bosses a few mm or about .080".
Get 2 stainless steel button head 4-40 machine screws 12 to 19 mm (1/2" to 3/4") and two stainless steel lock nuts.
Drill out the bosses to accept the 4-40 screws. Install the button head screws from the outside and fix the leaf spring to the screws with the locknuts. Tighten the locknuts until the stiffness in the head is adequate.
The button head screws should be struck with a small hammer to match the contour of the front side of the mirror.
Retighten the nuts if required to maintain the desired head stiffness.
Install the mirror glass with silicone and let the silicone cure.
The mirror is ready to install. If you didn't get the head stiffness right remove the glass again and adjust accordingly.
THIS WORKS!!!
If you don't like the tiny stainless screws that show, get a mirror for when you show the car!!
First,this does NOT look totally stock.
After removing the mirror glass (soak overnight in gasoline (careful) or suitable solvent to melt the silicone adhesive) grind off the "rivet" heads that are holding the leaf type spring that loads the pivot ball. Grind down the bosses a few mm or about .080".
Get 2 stainless steel button head 4-40 machine screws 12 to 19 mm (1/2" to 3/4") and two stainless steel lock nuts.
Drill out the bosses to accept the 4-40 screws. Install the button head screws from the outside and fix the leaf spring to the screws with the locknuts. Tighten the locknuts until the stiffness in the head is adequate.
The button head screws should be struck with a small hammer to match the contour of the front side of the mirror.
Retighten the nuts if required to maintain the desired head stiffness.
Install the mirror glass with silicone and let the silicone cure.
The mirror is ready to install. If you didn't get the head stiffness right remove the glass again and adjust accordingly.
THIS WORKS!!!
If you don't like the tiny stainless screws that show, get a mirror for when you show the car!!
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Instead of going to all the work of replacing the rivet/studs try cutting a loop off a paper clip and putting it under one end of the spring. It increases the tension on the mirror head while retaining the stock look.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nanty Glo PA
I almost used the same fix as in the first post. What I did was to grind the heads off the rivets, then drill the bosses from the inside (not completely through). Put the spring on and then used loctite and sheet metal screws in the new holes from inside the mirror. Tighten screws down till mirror is nice and tight. Re-assemble mirror with RTV.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Spring Texas
Are you talking about the inside rearview mirror or the outside rearview mirrors? Also, what is the better way to remove the mirror glass? My inside rearview mirror on my 71 needs new mirror glass and I can't figure how to take it apart to replace the glass.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
I almost used the same fix as in the first post. What I did was to grind the heads off the rivets, then drill the bosses from the inside (not completely through). Put the spring on and then used loctite and sheet metal screws in the new holes from inside the mirror. Tighten screws down till mirror is nice and tight. Re-assemble mirror with RTV.
I also thought about tapping the bosses from the inside but was concerned I might break off a tap.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
Outside rear view mirrors... I have never disassembled an inside rear view mirror.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: No longer in Heaven
This may sound ridiculous, but after I read these various complex fixes, I did the following with my stock '69 mirror which drooped/moved while driving:
With the mirror remaining intact on the car-
Rotate/swivel the mirror several times and clean out all the accumulated grease/dirt with a rag from the ball,
Apply normal flour (yes flour like baking) liberally to the ball while rotating the mirror ensuring to cover the ball well and allowing some of it to penetrate the seam where the mirror back attaches to the ball,
Repeat this several times (use a towel over the door to avoid "white out")
Clean off the excess flour,
Viola! The mirror stands up to 90+ mph. (I've tested it several times)
With the mirror remaining intact on the car-
Rotate/swivel the mirror several times and clean out all the accumulated grease/dirt with a rag from the ball,
Apply normal flour (yes flour like baking) liberally to the ball while rotating the mirror ensuring to cover the ball well and allowing some of it to penetrate the seam where the mirror back attaches to the ball,
Repeat this several times (use a towel over the door to avoid "white out")
Clean off the excess flour,
Viola! The mirror stands up to 90+ mph. (I've tested it several times)
Navigator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Somewhere in one of these threads, I guy gives a like to a site on which he details his mirror removal process and fix using two shims underneath the peened over rivet heads. It was an excellent pictorial and the only method that I found worked. I tried center punching the ball, the spring plate, and adding loc-tite. I found, however, that it was not necessary to fabricate my own shims to slip underneath the peened rivet heads. I purchased C-clips from the hardware store that worked absolutely perfect. The mirror feels like new now except for the binding due to when I center punched the ball. Anyhow, my only worry now is that my glass falls out of the mirror from lack of adhesion. I glued it back on using interior rear view mirror primer and adhesive.
