Inside/outside mirror disassembly
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 414
Likes: 3
From: Mineral Ridge Ohio
Inside/outside mirror disassembly
The inside mirror on our '73 has some bad areas in the reflective surface on the back of the glass and I would like to get it apart if possible and have it re-silvered. It looks like the pliable plastic rim should be able to come off, but I haven't discovered the secret to removing it yet. Are there molded-in metal barbs, or a rib that catches a rolled-over edge, or what? Is the plastic rim the only thing holding the glass in place, or is it bonded to some sort of carrier on the back side? I would like to get this taken care of during the winter while the car is not in use.
I would also like to do something about the loose heads of the outside mirrors. I seem to recall a posting some time back that said it was possible to soak the mirror head in a solvent of some sort and cause the glass to seperate from a backing plate. From there it was possible to tighten up the ball and socket. I did a search on this, but was unable to find the original posts. Any help out there?
I would also like to do something about the loose heads of the outside mirrors. I seem to recall a posting some time back that said it was possible to soak the mirror head in a solvent of some sort and cause the glass to seperate from a backing plate. From there it was possible to tighten up the ball and socket. I did a search on this, but was unable to find the original posts. Any help out there?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
i had same issues with my 73 when i got it 5 yrs ago- i took the rearview mirror off put in in a box and bought one from the catalogs--(also silver was gone in places )also same issue with the outside mirror- put it in a box and put a new one on( also was loose at the ball and socket)-didnt feel that it was worth the time involved and have the orgionals tucked away
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 414
Likes: 3
From: Mineral Ridge Ohio
In addition to the mirrors now on the car, I recieved others of unknown model years in a box when I bought the car. This is a personal problem of mine, in that I have a strong desire to tinker with things like this, and I get a lot of satisfaction in doing a repair/restoration of this type. I know it will be a lot of trouble, but I now want to see it through. That's just me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
there has been a post on the tightening the ball/socket on the outside mirror here before maby in the archives now, if memory allows me,,, someting about soaking the glass / mirror, in some solution to loosen the bond, then removing the mirror from the frame & tightening a plate in there (that keep pressure on the ball)so its tight again- as far as the rear view silver,, im sure its a coating on the glass back that has to be reapplied-good luck-
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: charlestown in
I had the same problem with the mirror on my 73. I saoked the mirror in a tub of mineral spirits overnight, then gently pried up the molded plastic that holds it in. With just a little bit of prying the mirror will come right out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 419
From: Chester Virginia
For the outside mirror I postioined the mirror where I wanted it. Removed the mirror from car. Applied a small aomunt of thin super glue to the ball - socket joint. Three years later the mirror is still tight.
The inside mirror can be removed from the rubber pad and the rubber pad from the metal housing with acetone or paint thinner. It was not worth the expense to resilver the glass. I found an old mirror in good condition and put it on the original housing. I repainted, reworked the ball-socket joint, and got the map light working while my mirror was apart.
Roger
The inside mirror can be removed from the rubber pad and the rubber pad from the metal housing with acetone or paint thinner. It was not worth the expense to resilver the glass. I found an old mirror in good condition and put it on the original housing. I repainted, reworked the ball-socket joint, and got the map light working while my mirror was apart.
Roger
