Getting my ‘77 ready for paint struggled removing side mirrors, after removing glass from drivers side door...knew there had to be a better way.
There is....used hacksaw to cut socket down then welded a paint can opener to top of it. Now able to remove nuts with glass in place, only had to remove anti raddled pad.
I have posted this in General section but believe more useful here. Easy to make and works very well!

 

Ron, terrific idea and thanks for posting it. I learned years ago from my Dad that if you don't have a tool, you can probably make one if you just think on it enough. I've certainly done that myself at times.

However, if you get a set of these 1/4" drive universal sockets (SAE and/or metric) you can save yourself a lot of time and make a lot of jobs a whole lot easier.



I've found them to be indispensable when working on things inside of doors and under the dash, as well as under the hood. I've had 3/8 drive universal socket sets in SAE and metric for years, but recently when visiting a mechanic friend saw him using these 1/4" drive universals under the hood. I asked him how tough they were and he said he rarely uses his 3/8 drive set now compared to the 1/4" set. They're just so handy and very durable as he's never broken one.

Don't be put off by the fact that they are Snap-On, any good brand will do, I just happen to prefer Snap-On. Also eBay is your friend when it comes to Snap-On, they can often be bought for about 50% of retail or less.

I actually used them recently to put together the doors of a 1980 Corvette after a complete paint job in which the entire insides of the doors were removed. Mirrors as well as power window assemblies. I know if I could only have one set, it would be the 1/4" drive set, as I use them much more.

BTW, did you notice the gasket between the mirror base and the door is wedge shaped? Put it in with the wedge in the wrong direction and you will loose some of your rear viability (actually a lot of the little there is ) and may find the mirror is too close to the glass. Don't ask how I discovered this... after I had the door completely reassembled and had to remove the mirror and cable to correct the problem.

Good luck... GUSTO