Page 1 of 1

how can i tighten my mirrors?

Posted: 07 Apr 2008, 19:10
by dirtygertie
I've just taken my van on the motorway for the 1st time & my door mirrors slowly dropped downwards so i could only see the side of my door! :shock: bit scary (i didn't dare overtake the horsebox in front!)

they seemed to be loose at the ball bit that goes into the bit thats attached to the door (does that make sense?) can this be tightened or do i need to get alternative mirrors?

....................just for the record this was the least of my problems, oil leak dripping onto exhaust making plumes of smoke and the now very noisy blowing exhaust made for rather a stressfull trip! :roll: - but it may be the easiest to fix!

Posted: 07 Apr 2008, 19:15
by chippieshaun
oil leak could be more tricky but mirrors will take 5 minutes!
Remove mirror by undoing to two screws.
You will see a retaining nut behind.
Tighten it.......done!

Posted: 07 Apr 2008, 19:22
by dirtygertie
fantastic!
at least thats one thing i can do without paying - i'll have to book into the garage for the oil leak, i think its something to do with a thing called a push rod (i know nish bout engines) as for the exhaust..........HOW MUCH!!!!!!! :shock:

Posted: 07 Apr 2008, 19:48
by peasant
for undoing the two mirror screws ..don't try and faff about, use the biggest screwdriver you can find ..these screws are usually very tight if they haven't been touched in years. (to the point where i belived they weren't supposed to come off)

Re: how can i tighten my mirrors?

Posted: 07 Apr 2008, 20:23
by kevtherev
dirtygertie wrote:oil leak dripping onto exhaust making plumes of smoke and the now very noisy blowing exhaust made for rather a stressfull trip!

oil leaking onto the exhaust ...is that from the rocker gasket(s)

some times re tensioning the spring clip helps or just renew the gasket and spring

Posted: 07 Apr 2008, 20:26
by DentedDevon
Best to strip and clean the parts before tightening the nut.
The ball shaped part must slide freely on the hexagonal shaft from the mirror head.
Lightly grease the shaft but NOT the ball shape surfaces.
Re assemble and tighten the nut until the spring coils are nearly touching each other
Your mirrors should not need any attention for several years if treated like this.

Re: how can i tighten my mirrors?

Posted: 08 Apr 2008, 08:09
by dirtygertie
kevtherev wrote:
oil leaking onto the exhaust ...is that from the rocker gasket(s)


when i had the service at Kingfisher customs, dave said that the oil leek was due to the pushrod tube seals needing replacing. He quoted me £75 to get this done - is this a good price (i have no idea what it involves!)