C2 Loose Side Mirror

[Roger P.]

Gentlemen:
My driver side mirror on my '65 convertible is in great condition, but it is a little loose and therefore doesn't maintain its setting during the course of a cruise. Therefore, I am constantly having to readjust it along the road. The issue is not between the mirror and the door, but rather the round mirror and the bracket. In other words, the ball & socket joint is a bit too loose. Is there a mechanical way to tighten this "hip" joint, or if not, can a drop of glue (such as Krazy Glue) bind up the joint for a tighter connection that won't become "disjointed" and shift with the wind?

Your thoughts would be appreciated,
Roger (50141)

[Bob R.]

Re: C2 Loose Side Mirror

There have been discussions before on this subject so a search of the archives should turn up your answer however the response was yes it can be adjusted.
Remove the ring around the mirror glass using a tweezer or some similar tool. Now the mirror will come out and expose the ball socket. You can then tighten the joint.

[Mike G.]

Crazy glue works great

and is easy to break loose when necessary. Two drops does the trick and is invisible.

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 Loose Side Mirror

Roger,

Take a look at this thread from the archives for the mechanical fix:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...28303&uid=9682

Got to admit it only lasted a couple or three years. Someone else did one better by tapping some screws into the pressure plate. Maybe he will chime in.

There have been two Restorer stories on this loose mirror problem in the last 5 years.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: C2 Loose Side Mirror

Roger:
The summer 2008 Restorer has the article Gerry was referring to. It fouses on a C-3 mirroe but I believe the only difference is in the glass attachment. I think the internals are the same.
Jeff

[Roger P.]

Re: C2 Loose Side Mirror

Thank you all for your suggestions. Before trying the Krazy Glue fix, I wanted to give the mechanical solution a try first. Well, after a good 30 minutes trying everything to remove the mirror retaining ring with no results, I gave up. The next move would have most likely broken the mirror and I would be looking at a bigger issue than only a loose ball socket (hip joint). So, I sat in the car, adjusted the mirror, removed it from the mounting plate, and applied one drop of Krazy Glue. Presto! The mirror isn't moving at all. I reinstalled it on the car and I'm ready to cruise. If I ever have to adjust it, I'll just use a little elbow grease to break it loose like Mike suggested. Most likely, it would adjust with more tension considering the small amount of dried glue in the ball & socket joint. If not, I'll just use another drop of the crazy stuff. Furthermore, adjusting the mirror isn't necessary since no one else drives my car, and I stopped growing many years ago .

Thanks again,
Roger (50141)

[Robert K.]

Re: C2 Loose Side Mirror

Roger,

I know what you mean about trying to remove the retaining ring - it is very difficult and you have to be very careful to not scratch the mirror finish! In case you want to try again (at a later date.....), the use of a dental pic works (90 degree bend very well. These fine pointed instruments get behind the retaining ring and you can pull it out far enough to then remove it with your fingers (presto- not scratches either!!)

Bob

[Roger P.]

Re: C2 Loose Side Mirror

Bob:
Thanks for your reply! It's ironic, but sometimes it seems like even a small project can turn into a larger job due to the "Corvette Factor". Who knows, maybe it's just me being a perfectionist (I'm cursed). A few people told me that the mirror ball socket could not be tightened, while others told me it could be adjusted . I figured that it was worth taking a look before the easy glue fix. However, after wrestling with that retaining ring for 30 minutes, I didn't have to go far to look in the mirror and tell myself not to make this one of those large jobs. The magic mirror told me that if I kept at it, I would end up with a broken mirror and a scratched chrome frame. The dental pic sounds like a good idea, and if the glue doesn't hold long-term, I will certainly try it. I used everything in my toolbox - including a plastic fork & knife so as to not scratch anything. My intentions were good, but without the intended results. So far, the Krazy Glue is doing the trick !

Thanks again,
Roger (50141)

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 Loose Side Mirror

Bob:
Thanks for your reply! It's ironic, but sometimes it seems like even a small project can turn into a larger job due to the "Corvette Factor". Who knows, maybe it's just me being a perfectionist (I'm cursed). A few people told me that the mirror ball socket could not be tightened, while others told me it could be adjusted . I figured that it was worth taking a look before the easy glue fix. However, after wrestling with that retaining ring for 30 minutes, I didn't have to go far to look in the mirror and tell myself not to make this one of those large jobs. The magic mirror told me that if I kept at it, I would end up with a broken mirror and a scratched chrome frame. The dental pic sounds like a good idea, and if the glue doesn't hold long-term, I will certainly try it. I used everything in my toolbox - including a plastic fork & knife so as to not scratch anything. My intentions were good, but without the intended results. So far, the Krazy Glue is doing the trick !

Thanks again,
Roger (50141)

Roger,

The attachment below is similar to what appeared in the Fall 2005 Restorer, except with a color photo. My first Restorer article.

The secret I found is that you have to push on the mirror a little against the springs to get the retaining ring out. At least on a 67 mirror.
Maybe the 65 ones were different.