Loose side mirror
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: harvest AL
Loose side mirror
My left side mirror is loose on my 96. Can someone tell me what holds it on there and how to get to it.
Thanks, jcs44
96 LT4 Roadster
Thanks, jcs44
96 LT4 Roadster
Last edited by jcs44; May 20, 2009 at 03:39 PM. Reason: grammar
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Radford Virginia
The mirror (glass part) just snaps into connectors in the mirror frame. Once you remove the glass part you can see the bolts holding the frame to the car. If the glass itself is loose there are screws that can be tightened once you remove the mirror. Be very carefully and pull the mirror out with your hands and you will see what i mean.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 3
From: lehigh acres florida
i have the same problem but was afraid to attempt to remove the glass,,,i saw a cross looking item sold on ecklers for loose glass butt if there are screws maybe they are loose worth a shot ,,im still scared of things that break easy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 41
From: Baltimore, MD USA
As mentioned, use your fingers and move the mirror glass around until you can put your fingers behind it on two sides. Then pull the mirror straight towards you. The back of the mirror snaps onto the trunion and two pivot studs.The trunion is the cross shaped silver colored object in the picture.
Place a towel on the door so the mirror doesn't scratch the door paint because the heated mirror wires will still be attached to the glass. Let the mirror hang from the wires. In the picture you can see the 3 screws with a red circle around them. Remove them and the motor will pull off. This will give you easy access to the 3 screws that hold the mirror mounting bracket to the mirror housing. The screws usually back out which causes the mirror to shake when the vehicle is moving.
Place a towel on the door so the mirror doesn't scratch the door paint because the heated mirror wires will still be attached to the glass. Let the mirror hang from the wires. In the picture you can see the 3 screws with a red circle around them. Remove them and the motor will pull off. This will give you easy access to the 3 screws that hold the mirror mounting bracket to the mirror housing. The screws usually back out which causes the mirror to shake when the vehicle is moving.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
As mentioned, use your fingers and move the mirror glass around until you can put your fingers behind it on two sides. Then pull the mirror straight towards you. The back of the mirror snaps onto the trunion and two pivot studs.The trunion is the cross shaped silver colored object in the picture.
Place a towel on the door so the mirror doesn't scratch the door paint because the heated mirror wires will still be attached to the glass. Let the mirror hang from the wires. In the picture you can see the 3 screws with a red circle around them. Remove them and the motor will pull off. This will give you easy access to the 3 screws that hold the mirror mounting bracket to the mirror housing. The screws usually back out which causes the mirror to shake when the vehicle is moving.
Place a towel on the door so the mirror doesn't scratch the door paint because the heated mirror wires will still be attached to the glass. Let the mirror hang from the wires. In the picture you can see the 3 screws with a red circle around them. Remove them and the motor will pull off. This will give you easy access to the 3 screws that hold the mirror mounting bracket to the mirror housing. The screws usually back out which causes the mirror to shake when the vehicle is moving.
The trunion in the photo looks like the metal replacement that Ecklers and other sell. Is this correct? Also, can you show us a photo of the back of the mirror illustrating the trunion hold-down fingers? Finally, do you have any advice on how to best line up and snap the mirror back in place?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 41
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Having small hands makes it easier to pull the mirror off of the trunion. If you look closely at the photo of the backside of the mirror you can see the mirror is glued to a plastic backing which also has two plastic studs with threads on them. When you move the mirror around the ratcheting noise you hear are the two studs moving in or out of the motor. To reinstall the mirror line up the two studs and press them into the motor. Pressing further should snap the trunion back on to the back of the mirror.
The other pic. shows the motor removed from the mounting bracket. You can see the 3 phillip head screws that usually back out.
Once the 3 motor mounting screws are removed you can unplug the electrical harness and the mirror and motor can be set aside. I just leave them hanging.
The other pic. shows the motor removed from the mounting bracket. You can see the 3 phillip head screws that usually back out.
Once the 3 motor mounting screws are removed you can unplug the electrical harness and the mirror and motor can be set aside. I just leave them hanging.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Having small hands makes it easier to pull the mirror off of the trunion. If you look closely at the photo of the backside of the mirror you can see the mirror is glued to a plastic backing which also has two plastic studs with threads on them. When you move the mirror around the ratcheting noise you hear are the two studs moving in or out of the motor. To reinstall the mirror line up the two studs and press them into the motor. Pressing further should snap the trunion back on to the back of the mirror.
The other pic. shows the motor removed from the mounting bracket. You can see the 3 phillip head screws that usually back out.
Once the 3 motor mounting screws are removed you can unplug the electrical harness and the mirror and motor can be set aside. I just leave them hanging.
The other pic. shows the motor removed from the mounting bracket. You can see the 3 phillip head screws that usually back out.
Once the 3 motor mounting screws are removed you can unplug the electrical harness and the mirror and motor can be set aside. I just leave them hanging.
GREAT ! Thank you,
I have been waiting a long time for someone with your knowledge & photos to show us how to do this. I have had a new trunion for years and have always been leary of just trying to pull the mirror off as others have said to do. Finally, now with your great photos, I think I'm confident enough to give it a try. Thanks again 
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 549
Likes: 2
From: Bardstown ( Bourbon capitol of the world ) KY ( The Bluegrass state )
I'm glad you made this post 
Mine started shaking around tonight on my way home. Thanks for the post and Thank you Hooked on Vettes for the nice description
Now I guess all there is to do is get up and fix it
Mine started shaking around tonight on my way home. Thanks for the post and Thank you Hooked on Vettes for the nice description Now I guess all there is to do is get up and fix it
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: harvest AL
Well, the mirror comes out of there pretty easily, but I guess I asked the wrong question. It's my left side mirror bracket/housing that is loose where it is attached to the door, so I guess the inside door panel has to come off to get at the screws or bolts. What's the procedure to get the door panel off?
Thanks, JCS44
Thanks, JCS44
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Remove all the screws along the perimeter of the door panel, inside the grab handle and there is one behind the light above the door release handle. From the top edge, just pop off the plastic door light cover with a flat blade screwdriver to access it. Using an L shaped tool, gently pry up on the front edge of the door lock cover and lift up to remove it. This is for the earlier 91-94 door panels but the 96 should be similar.
Gently pry up on the window switch panel and disconnect the wire harness for the power window and mirror. Also, disconnect the wire harness for the light above the door handle and lower door sill.
The mirror housing is held on by two 10mm nuts easily accessed through the door panel frame.
Gently pry up on the window switch panel and disconnect the wire harness for the power window and mirror. Also, disconnect the wire harness for the light above the door handle and lower door sill.
The mirror housing is held on by two 10mm nuts easily accessed through the door panel frame.
Last edited by GKK; Jun 1, 2009 at 10:59 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: Shrub Oak NY
What about the rubber covers on the threaded rods? I was taking one of mine apart today & the cover ripped. I have looked at all the mirror threads & the rubber covers are not mentioned.
Last edited by ProjectC4; Jun 9, 2012 at 10:30 PM. Reason: spelling
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I have the rubber covers on my '86. I had to rip one to see what was going on because the stud came out of the motor and I couldn't figure out how to get it back in. I don't think that's a problem because the later ones don't have the covers.
