Loose Rear View Mirrors

[Donald B.]

While not a Corvette (the '62 is just fine), I have new GM ourside rear view mirrors on a '69 Z28. The mirrors are "loose" and move simply from the wind resistance. I was thinking of using some type of non-hardening liquid and placing a small amount on the ball/socket to try to "tighten up" the fitting.

Any suggestions ?

[Phil P.]

Re: Loose Rear View Mirrors

i've encountered the same problem with re-pop mirrors --- if you have a spring loaded punch you can tilt the mirror away from normal viewing position and punch "dimple" the ball this will last for some time depending on how good "lucky" you are at that kind of work --- good luck

[Gerard F.]

Re: Loose Rear View Mirrors

Don,

If you look in the Fall 2005 Restorer or in the archives on this forum, you'll find an article "Loose Mirror Snap to Fix". The article is about a 67 mirror which has a snap ring which holds the mirror in place, and which is easy to disassemble. Later mirrors have the mirror glued in place and you have to soak it in lacquer thinner to get it off (Spring 1989 Restorer for 68-72).

Once you get the mirror off the housing on either the earlier or later, the procedure to tighten the plate which bears against the ball is the same. I just gave the rivets a couple of pops with a flat hammer and the back of the housing bearing against a wood block.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Loose Rear View Mirrors

Don:
I just tightened the side view mirror on my '69 this spring by doing exactly as Jerry recommended except I used a wide punch to re-tighten the rivets. Laquer thinner overnight took the glass right out of the head. I used clear silicone to hold the mirror in. So far so good.
Jeff