wing mirror "blowing in the wind"

Post by **bobbabawbag** » 26 Nov 2005, 10:49

Could bob dylan answer this one.
My westy passenger wing mirror is very slack and drifts out of position (pretty annoying esp being LHD) any tips on how to stiffen up the ball joint or should i just buy a new one.
Cheers Bob

Post by **matt** » 26 Nov 2005, 11:13

you have took it off and found the 13mm nut on the end of the ball joint havent you ?>
may sound daft, but catches out almost as many folks as the expandable oil filler tube

Post by **bobbabawbag** » 26 Nov 2005, 11:31

i will try that out and see if it works
are there any tips or things i should know about taking the mirror off
cheers bob

Post by **missusjen** » 26 Nov 2005, 12:40

It's as simple as - just unscrew it.........

Post by **Ivorblueun** » 26 Nov 2005, 13:19

I've found smearing a bit of thread lock on the knuckle works, If you tighten the nut too much you will split the socket part of the joint. Remove mirror and take the nut right off and seperate the joint, smear on the thread lock reassemble and position mirror to your liking then try not to go hurtling down the motor way for a few hours till its set.

Post by **HarryMann** » 26 Nov 2005, 13:19

Yes!

Tighten that nut but once the spring under it becomes coil-bound, tightening any more will as sure as eggs are eggs, shear the stud (that is moulded into the plastic body)

Some can be tightened enough to stop it blowing back, others can't it seems.
Some say this depend on whether it is OEM or a copy, others maybe not.

The threaded hex bar moulded in, is, in my opinion, one size too small. 70mph (airspeed) is about all many seem to be able to stand.

Two alternative options: Caravelle electric mirrors; LT or Syncro 16 mirrors - designed around truck mirror lines, these lock into place and yet can be flipped back when required (about £100 - £150 depending) and a bit of work (rivnut insert into top of door frame).

NB. There are also two types of the OEM style mirror, flat mirror and convex, giving a wider field of view (preferable).

Post by **HarryMann** » 26 Nov 2005, 13:21

I've found smearing a bit of thread lock on the knuckle works

Sorry Ivor, we posted at the same time - but you beat me too it, and a very good tip there too!

Post by **R0B** » 26 Nov 2005, 17:11

i roughned the ball bit with emery cloth this seems to of helped....

Post by **HarryMann** » 26 Nov 2005, 17:56

Yup, that sounds a good one old man Suki*, but what a crap design - marginally under-designed for them? Farmed it out no doubt and they came back and tested just about OK, when new?

*Got to be the best avatar on club80-90, never fails to make me smile, which is what it's all about

Post by **R0B** » 27 Nov 2005, 03:08

must say it has the same affect on me harry...keep smiling

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 27 Nov 2005, 08:34

At the princely sum of under £15 for a whole mirror from GSF, have you thought about replacing the complete unit?

Post by **HarryMann** » 27 Nov 2005, 09:05

Ah, but aren't they just the ones that do it worst?

Post by **Trilobyte_simon** » 06 Dec 2005, 20:50

Ermm ... i suffer from the same problem

DH What is GSK?

Ta

Post by **HarryMann** » 06 Dec 2005, 20:57

GSF

German, Swedish and French - a high street chain for European carparts, mostly patent, non oem, but many genuine too.. CHEAP

Google'em and find one nearest

Also Eurocarparts. etc.[/b]

Post by **Cruz** » 06 Dec 2005, 21:21

www.gsfcarparts

even easier than googling