Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Folding Mirrors??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 09:52 AM
  #1  
Corvette_Ed's Avatar
Corvette_Ed
Thread Starter
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
Likes: 3,267
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Default Folding Mirrors??

My car is parked outside 100% of the time so I keep a Covercraft outdoor cover on it when not out driving. I have a problem with my north/south facing driveway being completely open to the predominantly south winds that have reached speeds of 60+ mph so I fold the mirrors in on the car to help hold the cover in place. Without doing so the cover can be blown off of the car, exposing it to the oak trees that hang over the driveway and all of the crud that falls off of them.

My concern is that the constant folding in and out of the mirrors will eventually degrade the functionality and cause the mirrors to become loose and unable to stay in place when driving as they do now. Does anyone have any idea of whether or not this is a possibility?
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 10:00 AM
  #2  
calvins's Avatar
calvins
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 834
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Default

I'd say you're right and I'd find another solution to the cover issue.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 10:37 AM
  #3  
Corvette_Ed's Avatar
Corvette_Ed
Thread Starter
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
Likes: 3,267
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Default

Unfortunately there isn't much I can think of to do other than what I'm already doing. I can't park anywhere else and don't have the option of providing another means of protecting my car from the elements and those damn trees. Many times I have looked out my window to check on my car just to see that the cover was completely blown off; I'd usually find it somewhere down the street.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 10:40 AM
  #4  
MSG C5's Avatar
MSG C5
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,745
Likes: 3,671
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Default

As long as you fold the mirrors down towards the doors, I think you are OK as the mirrors have been designed for that. I think you get into trouble when you fold the mirror up away from the doors, like some guys do to drain out water, because I don't think the electronics or housing was designed for that. Or so I read in an earlier thread...
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 10:47 AM
  #5  
Corvette_Ed's Avatar
Corvette_Ed
Thread Starter
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
Likes: 3,267
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by MSG C5
As long as you fold the mirrors down towards the doors, I think you are OK as the mirrors have been designed for that. I think you get into trouble when you fold the mirror up away from the doors, like some guys do to drain out water, because I don't think the electronics or housing was designed for that. Or so I read in an earlier thread...
Toward the door and back to the correct position for driving is all I do as far as folding the mirrors. I never use water to wash my car so I don't have a need to drain any.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 11:07 AM
  #6  
FormerlyFiero's Avatar
FormerlyFiero
Pro
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 568
Likes: 2
From: Dayton, Oregon
Oldtimer
Default

How about a couple of short bungies? Just bunch up the mirror pockets and wrap the bungie a couple of times.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 11:58 AM
  #7  
Corvette_Ed's Avatar
Corvette_Ed
Thread Starter
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
Likes: 3,267
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by FormerlyFiero
How about a couple of short bungies? Just bunch up the mirror pockets and wrap the bungie a couple of times.
Now that's an idea worth trying. I think I might have a couple tucked away somewhere.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 05:57 PM
  #8  
jol's Avatar
jol
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 38
From: Westchester County, NY
Default

For a few bucks, your tailor can sew holes with grommets and then run a long tie to keep it secure under the car. My 0.02
If it works, my 0.02 will increase to 0.05!!!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 10:23 PM
  #9  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,781
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by jol
For a few bucks, your tailor can sew holes with grommets and then run a long tie to keep it secure under the car. My 0.02
If it works, my 0.02 will increase to 0.05!!!
I would try this before I would fold the mirrors in all the time.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 10:58 PM
  #10  
mstromquist's Avatar
mstromquist
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 4,826
From: BEST Corn-Nation
2015 C5 of the Year Winner
Default

If fold mine in all the time on the drivers side of the vette and I also have a truck that they both get folded in all the time too. Been doing it for years and have not had one problem. You should be fine.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 11:07 PM
  #11  
jdmvette's Avatar
jdmvette
Night Owl for life
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,707
Likes: 4,549
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Default

Originally Posted by Corvette_Ed
My concern is that the constant folding in and out of the mirrors will eventually degrade the functionality and cause the mirrors to become loose and unable to stay in place when driving as they do now. Does anyone have any idea of whether or not this is a possibility?
yes i have read that the c5 mirrors are delicate in this matter and the mirrors have weak springs in them that can break.

knowing this, i avoid ever folding them in at all.

i remember reading a service provided that upgrades the mirror to never be able to fail again. i will try to dig up the thread.

edit** here's how to repair your mirrors if they ever break on you.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1583694952-post6.html

Last edited by jdmvette; Jul 6, 2013 at 11:20 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 11:59 PM
  #12  
cdnguyred88's Avatar
cdnguyred88
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, Alberta
Default

Originally Posted by mstromquist
If fold mine in all the time on the drivers side of the vette. Been doing it for years and have not had one problem. You should be fine.


Been doing it for 4+ years now myself, but folding it forward.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2013 | 09:28 AM
  #13  
Corvette_Ed's Avatar
Corvette_Ed
Thread Starter
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
Likes: 3,267
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by jol
For a few bucks, your tailor can sew holes with grommets and then run a long tie to keep it secure under the car. My 0.02
If it works, my 0.02 will increase to 0.05!!!
That doesn't prevent the cover from being blown off the car. It stops it from flying down the street, but the cover can still be blown off and fly all over the place while anchored at the bottom of the car. I bought a cable lock after I got sick of chasing my cover down. Folding the mirrors in has so far been the only thing that has stopped the wind from blowing the cover off. It has something to do with the aerodynamics and the amount of wind that can get under the cover when the mirrors are folded in.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2013 | 09:37 AM
  #14  
Rollin20z's Avatar
Rollin20z
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: King George Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by mstromquist
If fold mine in all the time on the drivers side of the vette and I also have a truck that they both get folded in all the time too. Been doing it for years and have not had one problem. You should be fine.
+1 .... I do it all the time to get water out or make it simpler to get the snug cover on if I have the front down first. Never had a problem(knock on wood) but figure if I ever do I'll just fix it. I believe in making life easier for me. Honestly probably just as many have broken that have hardly or ever been folded, like anything if it's gonna break it will.

Sorta like the Vette being just a car. I drive it for my convenience and pleasure and not leave it in garage because it may rain and tomorrow will be nice and sunny. Soap and water make it all pretty again and who knows when the final payment on your life loan may come due and you may not be around tomorrow to enjoy it.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2013 | 09:40 AM
  #15  
Rollin20z's Avatar
Rollin20z
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: King George Virginia
Default

Besides its faster(except the busa) and gets better mileage than anything else in the driveway besides the bikes and looks dam good to boot.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2013 | 09:57 AM
  #16  
calvins's Avatar
calvins
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 834
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Default

Originally Posted by jol
For a few bucks, your tailor can sew holes with grommets and then run a long tie to keep it secure under the car. My 0.02
If it works, my 0.02 will increase to 0.05!!!
I was going to suggest this as it's how I do mine for the winter, but I thought it'd be a real PITA if you were driving the car regularly. Maybe not though
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2013 | 10:26 AM
  #17  
Corvette_Ed's Avatar
Corvette_Ed
Thread Starter
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
Likes: 3,267
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by calvins
I was going to suggest this as it's how I do mine for the winter, but I thought it'd be a real PITA if you were driving the car regularly. Maybe not though
My car is a daily driver, and you're right, it is a PITA, but I do what I have to.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Folding Mirrors??





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:28 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE