Can anyone point me to a video or directions on how to take apart and reassemble the sideview mirror on our C4's? All 3 screws have come out of mine and two of the tangs are broken. None of the threwds I found in my search have had a set of detailed instructions.

 

I have completely rebuilt my 85's drivers side, side mirror, but really never documented anything. in a nutshell, the mirror glass snaps in place to the power motor via a small "X" shaped trunnion. I did find this video. not a lot of detailed info, but what it does have, is, somewhat valuable -




CAREFULLY pry, or pull the mirror glass assembly from the motor. although the trunnion is metal, the receiving tabs on the back of the glass mount and the motor are plastic, and a bit fragile - more care is needed during reassembly. the mirror glass assembly is connected by two wires for the heating element. there are also two, 2-axis actuators pins, or rods - these just slide into the motor receivers, and has a ball-socket attachment on the mirror side. this is where you get that ratcheting sound when adjusting the mirrors manually.

when you get the mirror out of the way, you will have access to (i'm thinking) three screws holding the motor to a 3-legged mounting bracket that connects to the whole assembly to the door mount housing. (here's a couple of pics that forum member, cliff harris posted a few years ago).





it sounds like that 3-legged bracket is broken and you're missing the screws. as a side note, a few inches off the power motor, there is a small electrical connector. you can separate the motor assembly from the main harness that ultimately connects the side mirror to the body electrical harness.

my 3-legged bracket had one tab broken, and I was missing one screw. I had no luck buying a replacement bracket, and ended up buying a used mirror off fleabay for the parts. also, when assembling the bracket to the housing, don't over tighten the screws - snug is good, and use "blue" thread locker. the 3-legged bracket is a cheaply made part and looks to be cast from pot metal. one of my plastic tabs on the back of the mirror glass assembly was screwed up and wouldn't allow the trunnion to snap in place. I tried to separate the actual glass from the plastic backing, without much luck. I did happen to find a later C4 NOS mirror glass assembly. it was a service replacement part from GM and only required a couple inline splices for repair. my 85's (LH) side mirror is now as good as new!

finally, don't be afraid to search outside the corvette forum for information - here's a good link for power door mirror repair on an "el camino" forum. very similar to the corvette if not the same.

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=34602
good luck with the repair. hope this helps -

 

Perfect. Nice combo of information. I managed to fix it wihout doing anything stupid.