Loose Rear-View Mirror
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,759
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Loose Rear-View Mirror
I am having issues with my rear-view mirror. Every time I hit a bump, or crank up a song with heavy bass, the mirror swivels down to its lowest point and I end up with a view of my center console. Does anyone know of anything I can do to prevent this short of buying a new mirror, or is that my only option?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
I've not had that problem but I recently bought a used electrochromatic autodimming mirror for $50 delivered from VETTENUTS -- a supporting vendor on CF. If you end up needing to buy one check with Mark & I'm sure he'll help.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Mine is doing the same thing. I've not pulled it down to atempt to see if it can be opened up or not. A new one from GM is like $129 last I looked. There is the Onstar FMW available for $199 which gives added communications but at a cost for a subscription...but something to think about if desired.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,759
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
This would be an ideal price as long as there weren't any noticeable defects. I was kind of hoping, although I do realize it was a longshot to begin with, that I could do something to fix the mirror I have.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
There are two types of mirrors, which differ in the way that they fasten to the windshield pad.
One type uses a set screw to secure it to the pad, and the second type is secured by a spring loaded clip to the windshield mounting pad.
I have the spring clip type auto-dimming mirror, which shook like crazy after it was removed for a windshield replacement. I later found that it was not fully inserted into the clip.
It took some playing with it to get both sides of the clip in tightly, but it's been rock steady since then.
One type uses a set screw to secure it to the pad, and the second type is secured by a spring loaded clip to the windshield mounting pad.
I have the spring clip type auto-dimming mirror, which shook like crazy after it was removed for a windshield replacement. I later found that it was not fully inserted into the clip.
It took some playing with it to get both sides of the clip in tightly, but it's been rock steady since then.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,759
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
There are two types of mirrors, which differ in the way that they fasten to the windshield pad.
One type uses a set screw to secure it to the pad, and the second type is secured by a spring loaded clip to the windshield mounting pad.
I have the spring clip type auto-dimming mirror, which shook like crazy after it was removed for a windshield replacement. I later found that it was not fully inserted into the clip.
It took some playing with it to get both sides of the clip in tightly, but it's been rock steady since then.
One type uses a set screw to secure it to the pad, and the second type is secured by a spring loaded clip to the windshield mounting pad.
I have the spring clip type auto-dimming mirror, which shook like crazy after it was removed for a windshield replacement. I later found that it was not fully inserted into the clip.
It took some playing with it to get both sides of the clip in tightly, but it's been rock steady since then.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 6
From: Sarasota Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 149
From: SE NY and SE FL
There are two types of mirrors, which differ in the way that they fasten to the windshield pad.
One type uses a set screw to secure it to the pad, and the second type is secured by a spring loaded clip to the windshield mounting pad.
I have the spring clip type auto-dimming mirror, which shook like crazy after it was removed for a windshield replacement. I later found that it was not fully inserted into the clip.
It took some playing with it to get both sides of the clip in tightly, but it's been rock steady since then.
One type uses a set screw to secure it to the pad, and the second type is secured by a spring loaded clip to the windshield mounting pad.
I have the spring clip type auto-dimming mirror, which shook like crazy after it was removed for a windshield replacement. I later found that it was not fully inserted into the clip.
It took some playing with it to get both sides of the clip in tightly, but it's been rock steady since then.
Can you provide more info on what you had to do to fix it?
Last edited by GlennSullivan; May 30, 2012 at 09:00 AM.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,759
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
A while back on the Impala SS forum they were having the same problem with the swivels loosening up and the mirror tipping down.
I did not try it, but their solution was a little bit of RTV silicone put into the swivel ball. They had to move the mirror in one direction, then apply the RTV, then work the mirror to all positions to get the RTV into the swivel ball joint.
It provided enough resistance to keep it from dropping. They cautioned against using something stronger like super glue, etc because then it would be fixed in one location and could not be adjusted.
Good Luck.
I did not try it, but their solution was a little bit of RTV silicone put into the swivel ball. They had to move the mirror in one direction, then apply the RTV, then work the mirror to all positions to get the RTV into the swivel ball joint.
It provided enough resistance to keep it from dropping. They cautioned against using something stronger like super glue, etc because then it would be fixed in one location and could not be adjusted.
Good Luck.
