The driver side mirror on my 1980 has broken. One of the three adjustment wires on the back has disconnected from the back of the mirror and now the mirror is not adjustable. When push it with my hand to correct alignment it immediately moves back to an unusable position. My question for the group is, is there any way to repair this (remove mirror and then remove mirror and reattached the wires ? I looked at removing the mirror, but it also looks like i need to remove the window glass to get to the two nuts. Is there any tricks to get around removing the glass? Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

 

Tater, you should be able to remove the nuts from the mirror studs by raising the window all the way up in the tracks. With the door panel and vapor barrier removed, try using a 1/4" drive socket set and a long extension - with a universal joint between the socket and extension. You'll probably have to do it blindly, but feel around up there carefully and you can orient yourself.

Also mark the mirror to body gasket so it is re-installed exactly the same. There is a left and right mirror gasket for a reason. When you remove it, look it over closely, you'll see the gasket is wedge shaped. If you install it upside down, the mirror will tilt in toward the window reducing your rearward view considerably and maybe even interfering with the glass, but it will definitely be closer to the glass.

To actually remove the mirror, you will need to also remove the cable assembly fastened in the door panel. Just pay attention on how the cable is oriented inside the door. It actually goes toward the front of the door and around the forward window guide, then back to where it fastens to the door panel. You'll need to remember this info to reinstall it. I believe it is also held in the forward part of the door with a clip or two to keep it out of the way of the window and track.

If you find that replacing the mirror is easier, be advised that the F-body cars (Camaro & Firebird) of that era are functionally identical. The only difference is the height of the pedestal that holds the mirror (body) away from the door. This ~1" difference is what makes the mirror usable on the Corvette. With the F-body pedestal, you will get little more than an excellent view of your quarter panel. You can however remove the pedestal from your Corvette mirror and replace the F-body pedestal with it so it will work on your Corvette.

Good luck... GUSTO

 

I would find a similar power mirror in a salvage yard from one of the many cars that used this style and practice disassembly on that one. And you’ll have spare parts if you need them. Likely no need to remove yours from the door.