Loose Side Mirror

[USA1LT1]

Short of replacing the mirror, anyone know of a way to tighten up the swivel. Must be some hot tip out there.
Frank

 

[ArkShark]

Heres a tip I once heard...

Put some super glue on the swivel and work it in good. Eventually it will build up and cause your mirror stop 'self adjusting'.

I've done it once, and it helped. However, as time goes by, it works itself loose again.

Anyone else with a better idea?

 

[Robin7TFour]

hello,

i masked off most of the area and shot some clear spray paint at the swivel. took appx two good passes. i did that in april of 03 and still working good. i've bumped it several times and continues to hold when reajusted.

Robin

 

[rainman]

Here's a technique that I read a few years back in a vet magazine. I have not tried it on my car yet, but doesn't sound too hard. Soak the mirror in a solvent. I think they recommended kerosene. This will allow you to remove the actual mirror. There is a nut that attaches to the swivel that can be tightened once the mirror is removed. After tightening simply glue the mirror back on.

 

[norvalwilhelm]

I have this same problem with the drivers mirror. I fixed it by using loctite, the thread lock and just put it on the swivel then set the mirror. You still have slight adjustment if you need to fine tune over the months and it holds fine for about a year when I have to just add a few more drops.

 

[Roadster71]

Here's a technique that I read a few years back in a vet magazine. I have not tried it on my car yet, but doesn't sound too hard. Soak the mirror in a solvent. I think they recommended kerosene. This will allow you to remove the actual mirror. There is a nut that attaches to the swivel that can be tightened once the mirror is removed. After tightening simply glue the mirror back on.

You are close... soak it face down in gas overnight. The mirror will probably be sitting in the bottom of the tray when you take everthing out. When you look, there will be a metal strip over the ball with a rivet at each end. Use a punch and hammer and tighten the heads of the rivets. Rest on something soft so the chrome isn't marked.
Glue the mirror back on using a silicon adhesive.

 

[GaryS]

Gas is not the proper solvent. Lacquer thinner will do the job nicely and won't harm the silver on the mirror. I have done this several times.

Gary

 

[John Doe]

guess I am going to have to do it the right way. I have tried glue and spray paint and the mirror still wants to bend downwards at about 80 mph. I will try using bubblegum and if that doesn't work I will soak the mirror in gatorade.... I mean laquer thinner. New (repops) ones seem to be around $50.

 

[GaryS]

When you get the mirror off, you can use a sharp center punch and gently "adjust" the mechanism so that it is tight. A carefully placed punch or two, very lightly please, will tighten up the ball.
Gary

 

[John Doe]

well, I got the glass out.... after slightly chipping the edge while trying to pry it out.. DARN! it's not bad, but I will look around for a replacement piece. Undreneath I see a part # 3914777- LH and above that G-200 and a diamond with a P and an R inside (Paragon Reproductions? ) and...... a little yellow price tag!!! 2297 :L. I banged on the rivets and it didn't tighten things up... banged a little harder, no good... so I dumped some super glue on it from the inside, and that seemed to work.. New one is $55 from TLD. This is pretty typical for me!


now here is a question - which way does the mirror go, ie after it is mounted to the door does the ball sit 1" from the top or 1" from the bottom of the mirror???? never mind... I will keep all the writing rightside up, which means the ball is 1" from the top..... and 2" from the bottom.

 

[GaryS]

After the fact, but if you leave the mirror in the lacquer thinner overnight (longer if necessary) the silicone glue turns to mush and you can just lift the mirror out. No prying necessary. Can't answer your question about the orientation of the glass though. I am surprised that you can't "adjust" the swivel with a sharp center punch.
Gary