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Outside Mirror - Help!

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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 08:40 AM
  #1  
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Default Outside Mirror - Help!

Cleaning the '98 Vert yesterday afternoon and I went to rotate the drivers side mirror around to clean and something went POP inside. The mirror assembly is now loosely spinning on a shaft. I assume there is a spring/retainer inside that let loose. The GM dealer this morning wanted to replace the whole mirror assembly for about $400! - For a broken spring/retainer? The electric mirror adjustments all still work.
So any one found a good less expensive way to fix this?
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 10:01 AM
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Try a search. I believe there is someone who repairs them
for around $80.
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by jerrymcb
Try a search. I believe there is someone who repairs them
for around $80.
Did a search. About 50 items poped up - mostly 'saw them in my mirror' stuff. Do you recall the thread?

Help Someone! I've got Duct tape on my baby!
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 10:32 AM
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from some post a while ago:

. This Guy will repair "your" mirror with the "broken clip" syndrome. "A permanent repair, guaranteed NOT to break" Send the complete mirror w/wiring harness, with ck or money order for $60.00 inc. shipping and handling. He offers a two day turn around after the mirror is received. He even offers by phone, mirror removal & installation instructions, ph# 330-783-0083 ext.15, after 4:30 pm 330-757-9466. Name & address: E.H. Swaneck, 4030 Simon Road, Bordman, Ohio 44512. Other NCRS members can verify ad, page 66. Sounds like it would be worth a try
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by c3&c5 vets
from some post a while ago:

. This Guy will repair "your" mirror with the "broken clip" syndrome. "A permanent repair, guaranteed NOT to break" Send the complete mirror w/wiring harness, with ck or money order for $60.00 inc. shipping and handling. He offers a two day turn around after the mirror is received. He even offers by phone, mirror removal & installation instructions, ph# 330-783-0083 ext.15, after 4:30 pm 330-757-9466. Name & address: E.H. Swaneck, 4030 Simon Road, Bordman, Ohio 44512. Other NCRS members can verify ad, page 66. Sounds like it would be worth a try
Thanks for the help!
Talked with Ed. I think he can fix me up!
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 01:24 PM
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Thanks for reposting this info. I plan to keep it on file just in case - you never know when you might need this gentleman's services.
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 03:35 PM
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ok, vector, let us know how it turns out.
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by c3&c5 vets
ok, vector, let us know how it turns out.
Will do!
Due to my schedule I won't be able to send the mirror off til next Monday 8/2/04. With shipping and repair time (2 days) it will be a August 10th or 11th before this plays out.
Talking with Ed gives me a pretty good feeling. He's Faxing me instruction today to pull the door panel.
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Vector
Cleaning the '98 Vert yesterday afternoon and I went to rotate the drivers side mirror around to clean and something went POP inside. The mirror assembly is now loosely spinning on a shaft. I assume there is a spring/retainer inside that let loose. The GM dealer this morning wanted to replace the whole mirror assembly for about $400! - For a broken spring/retainer? The electric mirror adjustments all still work.
So any one found a good less expensive way to fix this?

Let this be a warning to all. Never Never Never rotate your mirrors, least this happen to you. Another C5 POS design issue that never got corrected.
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by wwashing
Let this be a warning to all. Never Never Never rotate your mirrors, least this happen to you. Another C5 POS design issue that never got corrected.
I've been rotating the mirrors on a regular basis for nearly 7 years on this car. Yeah, it looks like the design could have been better, and yes it angers me that it happened but come on - things do break!
Honestly, I am more embarressed about the Duct Tape than angry about the mirror.
:blush:
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Vector
I've been rotating the mirrors on a regular basis for nearly 7 years on this car. Yeah, it looks like the design could have been better, and yes it angers me that it happened but come on - things do break!
Honestly, I am more embarressed about the Duct Tape than angry about the mirror.
:blush:
Then you won't mind the close to $400 bills it will cost you to get it fixed. Unless you remove it yourself and send it to the Forum Guy that fixes them.

It would not be a big deal that as you say "things break", but the fix is a completely new mirror, plus a trip to the body shop to get the new one painted.
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Old Jul 26, 2004 | 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted by wwashing
Then you won't mind the close to $400 bills it will cost you to get it fixed. Unless you remove it yourself and send it to the Forum Guy that fixes them.

It would not be a big deal that as you say "things break", but the fix is a completely new mirror, plus a trip to the body shop to get the new one painted.
You are right, I wasn't going to replace the whole mirror assembly -unscratched, good mirror, working motors and heater for $400, but I chalk that up to GM dealers. The don't seem to fix anything, just replace things. A body shop may or may not repair it. I think I found a good solution thanks to my CF freinds so I won't be checking that option out. Yeah, I'll pull the door panel and ship it off for $60. - not all that bad in the scheme of thing - which was my point.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 04:07 PM
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Well, at least now I don't feel alone. I found my broken mirror the other day. Not sure how it exactly happened, but my drivers side mirror is also free flowing. I used some double sided tape to keep it in place for now, but I am also looking for a quick inexpensive fix.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by jrambrose
Well, at least now I don't feel alone. I found my broken mirror the other day. Not sure how it exactly happened, but my drivers side mirror is also free flowing. I used some double sided tape to keep it in place for now, but I am also looking for a quick inexpensive fix.
I ordered a new mirror from Fichtner Chevrolet for about $100 shipped. Bodyshop will probably want $80 to paint. A little over the price of a repair but I'm hoping the new mirror sent to me will have revised internals from the 97 mirror (probably just wishful thinking on my part).

If you so want to get a new one from Fichtner then you'll need your vin number.

Last edited by tdb; Jul 29, 2004 at 04:20 PM.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Vector
I've been rotating the mirrors on a regular basis for nearly 7 years on this car. Yeah, it looks like the design could have been better, and yes it angers me that it happened but come on - things do break!
Honestly, I am more embarressed about the Duct Tape than angry about the mirror.
:blush:
I don't think it's all that bad a design. I've been rotating mine regularly for years as well, pretty much weekly when I wash the cars and want to get the water out of the mirrors. I don't believe it's a design issue that some break - more likely an out of spec spring slips into production every now and then. I would guess the production of the mirror assembly is outsourced anyway.

Just watch - now it will be my turn....
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Old Sep 6, 2004 | 10:21 AM
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I rotate my mirror every time I wash the car (And that my friend is A LOT) and have never had any problems (I'm KNOCKING on wood right now!! )
I have an old C5 mirror hanging around and now I'm courious.
Soooooo, just how does this spring thing workway???? I see another Corvette Forum C5 "How does this work" segment in the making!!

I will take it apart and let you all see what it is all about.

Bill C
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