Sun visor retainer
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,735
Likes: 63
From: Deep in the Pisgah National Forest
Sun visor retainer
I've been struggling for about three weeks with replacing the driver's side sun visor. The old elbow broke so got a replacement- no big deal. The problem was installing the retainer clip. Here's a video that shows the clip and how to install it:
The clips are one use only, no way not to destroy it when removing it, so I had to order a replacement. All I can find online are these "kits" that include the retainer and spring. About $8 plus shipping- outrageous.
The clips are one use only, no way not to destroy it when removing it, so I had to order a replacement. All I can find online are these "kits" that include the retainer and spring. About $8 plus shipping- outrageous.
- Instead I took a trip to the local hardware store. My local Ace has an isle that is chock full of little bits, and I bought a push nut and a "push retainer" that looked like they might do the job. Both failed as soon as I moved the visor. I did learn from this exercise that one should use a piece of duct tape to cover the hole, because if the clip fails it and the spring will try to take your eye out on their way to being lost forever.
- Round two was to spend the $15 and order the kit. I saved $1 by going with an Amazon vendor who had extra slow shipping. What came two weeks later was an open side push nut, same as I bought at Ace for $0.18. The picture below is my old retainer on the left and the one that they sent me. So I returned the kit, untried.
- Round three was a different vendor (Zip Corvette) and a retainer identical to my original arrived. I installed it with confidence and didn't bother with the tape. It failed when I moved the visor and I spent the next two hours cleaning a three car garage trying to find the clip (never did) and spring (behind the hot water heater).
- Fourth time is the charm. I ordered "internal tooth star lock washers", size 5mm from Amazon. Had to order as part of a kit with 7 sizes, for $12 free shipping. I'm happy to report that these actually work.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
We just us a deep well socket and then put a block of wood over top... you'll have to crush the spring when you install but it seems to work just fine this way.
Willcox
Willcox
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,735
Likes: 63
From: Deep in the Pisgah National Forest
I install using the method in the video, except I use a C clamp and slowly apply force until I hear the retainer snap into place.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The fingers on the original style are designed to catch the ribs on the stud that pass's through the header, you install the spring, drop the retainer on top, place a deep well on top and using a block on the bottom, tap it down.
