Mirror came loose...how do I fix?
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Mirror came loose...how do I fix?
Passenger side mirror was accidentally moved and the spring inside is no longer attached. see pic. Is there a fix I can do myself while it is still on the car? There are 2 small torx screws under the mirror, but I can't tell if I should mess with them. Hoping to save a trip to the Chev Dealer. :cheers:
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4
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From: Edmond OK
Re: Mirror came loose...how do I fix? ($$$frumnuttin')
Hi, On my 98 the drivers side mirror broke about a month ago and just last week the passenger side mirror broke. The chev dealer said it can't be fixed, just replaced, it cost me around $485.00 for one. I am going to write to the Chev Corp, because this is definitely a design defect!!! You should never have to replace a side mirror unless some how it was damaged. Not just pops OFF!!! Some people have replied back to me and said to use epoxy. I didn't this kind of money to epoxy my car back together.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Burlington ON
Cruise-In I, II, III, IV & V Veteran
CI-I & II Auto-X Champ
Re: Mirror came loose...how do I fix? (hotdicetwo)
Your only option is to remove the inner door panel, then remove the mirror and screw the mirror to the base so it cannot swivel anymore. That is what I had to do to my passenger side mirror. I was not forking out $500+ for a new mirror and there is no way to fix it. I even managed to get teh spring compressed down and put the clip back on, but it only held for a few hours and popped back off again.
GM really put a lot of engineering into that mirror!! :rolleyes:
GM really put a lot of engineering into that mirror!! :rolleyes:
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Re: Mirror came loose...how do I fix? (MattG)
Thanks guys...I just took everything apart, and it is a repairman's nightmare for clearance. there is no way anyone could compress that heavy duty spring in car position, and the tinnerman clip is way under-designed for this application. Matt, how did you manage to push down on that spring? I'm glad you replied about the permanent mount...I was just about to put a screw in from the inside of the mirror housing. I've loosened all the internal hardware and there is enough room to drill a hole into the swivel base. I'll get one try! :D, then use one helluva tapping screw. :)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Mirror came loose...how do I fix? ($$$frumnuttin')
From the looks of this, you have a 97. This was a known problem with these cars and they will fix it if you still have an extended warranty.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Burlington ON
Cruise-In I, II, III, IV & V Veteran
CI-I & II Auto-X Champ
Re: Mirror came loose...how do I fix? ($$$frumnuttin')
Matt, how did you manage to push down on that spring? I'm glad you replied about the permanent mount...I was just about to put a screw in from the inside of the mirror housing. I've loosened all the internal hardware and there is enough room to drill a hole into the swivel base. I'll get one try! :D, then use one helluva tapping screw. :)
I took the mirror off and then put a bolt through the spring and put a washer and nut on the other end of the of the spring. I then tightened the nut which compressed the spring and put got the retainer clip in place.
The problem is that the little notches on the base that goes through the spring get worn off and the retainer clip slips past the notches and the spring uncompresses.
It sounds like you got er all fixed up though! :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Re: Mirror came loose...how do I fix? (MattG)
Matt, that sounds like a really difficult procedure. :( I ws able to do mine without removing the door panel...something I hate doing. Yes, I noticed the channel that the spring retainer clip rides in was all chewed up. The problem is it is aluminum (soft) whereas the clip is hardened steel. Over time it loses the crisp edge. Some GM fastener engineer was not on the ball when they spec'ed that arrangement! :D What's funny to me is when you want to get one of those washers off of a post, like under the dash, it is freakin' impossible!! :mad :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Re: Mirror came loose...how do I fix? ($$$frumnuttin')
I sure hope all the guys who are turning their mirrors after washing their cars to get the water out sees this thread. I have stated this numerous times, its not if they break but when they break if you swivel them... :cheers:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
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From: Norfolk VA
Re: Mirror came loose...how do I fix? (hotdicetwo)
Hi, On my 98 the drivers side mirror broke about a month ago and just last week the passenger side mirror broke. The chev dealer said it can't be fixed, just replaced, it cost me around $485.00 for one. I am going to write to the Chev Corp, because this is definitely a design defect!!! You should never have to replace a side mirror unless some how it was damaged. Not just pops OFF!!! Some people have replied back to me and said to use epoxy. I didn't this kind of money to epoxy my car back together.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 842
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: Mirror came loose...how do I fix? ($$$frumnuttin')
Hold it guys! There is another way to fix this problem and for only $60. Ya'll should chime in sooner when you have a problem. Check out this: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=523643
:cheers:
:cheers:
