Passenger mirror loose

[John U]

My passenger mirror housing (not the glass) is rattling around a bit. How painful is it to get in there and tighten it?
Thanks
John

[DMCMW Dave]

There is a small panel under the pivot. If you pull that off you'll see that the c-clip that holds the mirror and spacers in place has rusted away. The wiring goes right through the center of it.

Fixable but you may need to take the mirror off the car and unthread the wiring to get the clip/spacers off and on. It can be "hacked" in place if you are creative.

[SIMid]

I've tried to retighten those clips around the wires and it did not work. Dave is right, it's got to come off .... unless there is a way to jam it between the washers and the inside housing.....

[John U]

Does that involve removing the glass?

[mluder]

Unless he's talking about where the entire mirror assemble attaches to the car. If that's the case - you have to remove the interior upper door card to access the (3) screws holding the mirror assembly to the door.

Cheers
Steven

[John U]

Unless he's talking about where the entire mirror assemble attaches to the car. If that's the case - you have to remove the interior upper door card to access the (3) screws holding the mirror assembly to the door.

Cheers
Steven

Im talking about the mirror housing being loose at the pivot point

[SIMid]

Im talking about the mirror housing being loose at the pivot point

Yup, as Dave said you need to remove the whole assembly to fiddle with it properly. Mines the same and I cannot get those clips in the mirror to stop it from rattling when on the move.

[DMCMW Dave]

Does that involve removing the glass?

No, the glass is left alone.

32587

[John U]

Thanks all. Looks like yet another fun project.....

[DeloreanJoshQ]

3307 has the same issue on the passenger side. I also could not get it to Tighten. My buddy's car, Vin 3500, also has the passenger side issue. Perhaps there was a run of loose Passenger mirror swivels around our VINs?

[steve]

3307 has the same issue on the passenger side. I also could not get it to Tighten. My buddy's car, Vin 3500, also has the passenger side issue. Perhaps there was a run of loose Passenger mirror swivels around our VINs?

Don't think so 20069 also has the mirror problem pass. side.

[DMCMW Dave]

The clip nut rots away. My guess is that water settles in that recess.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

The clip nut in question can also fail just because of the amount of preload placed on it by the "Bellville" washers that it retains. They are concave washers that keep the mirror from vibrating due to road frequencies but still allow the mirror to pivot when encountering an obstacle. Sometimes the increased tension, created by the pivoting action over the indents that keep it in place, actually cause the spring nut to fail. It's been a while since I've repaired one of these and don't remember the size of the nut offhand. The bigger problem is the amount of pressure it takes to install a new nut by forcing the washers to flatten out which is how they develop their tension. It is not usually possible to do this without first removing the mirror glass and backing plate to compress the washers while installing the nut. Even then it's not a cakewalk. If anyone knows a shortcut for this please let me know. It's very easy to break the glass if it is not removed beforehand. Between the mirror asm R&R and the actual repair plan on spending at least 2 or more hours on it once you've sourced a proper clip nut.

The best time to make this repair is when your planning to replace your mirrors because they are discolored or you're upgrading to convex mirrors.
That reminds me to mention that the extended convex and heated (or not) mirrors that we have on order from Europe are due to arrive in the next two weeks and anyone who wants them should contact me through our website contact form or by phone to place the order as the supply will be limited. We have some preorders on file already but I know ther are more of you that expressed interest so please don't delay or you have to wait for the next batch to come in. They are not yet listed on our site so don't try to order them online. Just call (800)350-7429 to place your order.
Rob Grady

[SpudMurphy]

I have to deal with this same problem - and yes it's the damn passenger side.

Does anybody know what those components are (technical name/ sizes) that clamp the mirror in? To me it looks like a type of circlip (I can't make out if it's a C clip or an O Clip) and possibly a wave washer underneath?

Whilst I have the door cards off and totally refurbing my D - it makes sense to do this?

Any help- would be really appreciated as I don't want to lay out on a new one - when in theory this can be repaired?

Cheers

Spud
UK

[SpudMurphy]

The clip nut in question can also fail just because of the amount of preload placed on it by the "Bellville" washers that it retains. They are concave washers that keep the mirror from vibrating due to road frequencies but still allow the mirror to pivot when encountering an obstacle. Sometimes the increased tension, created by the pivoting action over the indents that keep it in place, actually cause the spring nut to fail. It's been a while since I've repaired one of these and don't remember the size of the nut offhand. The bigger problem is the amount of pressure it takes to install a new nut by forcing the washers to flatten out which is how they develop their tension. It is not usually possible to do this without first removing the mirror glass and backing plate to compress the washers while installing the nut. Even then it's not a cakewalk. If anyone knows a shortcut for this please let me know. It's very easy to break the glass if it is not removed beforehand. Between the mirror asm R&R and the actual repair plan on spending at least 2 or more hours on it once you've sourced a proper clip nut.

The best time to make this repair is when your planning to replace your mirrors because they are discolored or you're upgrading to convex mirrors.
That reminds me to mention that the extended convex and heated (or not) mirrors that we have on order from Europe are due to arrive in the next two weeks and anyone who wants them should contact me through our website contact form or by phone to place the order as the supply will be limited. We have some preorders on file already but I know ther are more of you that expressed interest so please don't delay or you have to wait for the next batch to come in. They are not yet listed on our site so don't try to order them online. Just call (800)350-7429 to place your order.
Rob Grady

I found this reply to be really informative. With regard to removing the whole mirror assembly, that is not a problem - and I'm a new owner doing this for the first time. What I would like is some advice on the removal of the glass - hopefully without breaking it. Can anybody advise me on the process for this please? Cheers.

[SpudMurphy]

I managed to remove the glass ok, after receiving advice on a Facebook forum.

I then removed the mirror from the car and investigated the sloppiness in the hinging action.

I have taken photos and need to get the starclip to repair it. Once I have done that (and taken more photos) I'll add it on this forum - as there seems to be little out there detailing the process for fixing it.

Cheers

Spud

[SpudMurphy]

..... need to get the starclip to repair it. Once I have done that (and taken more photos) I'll add it on this forum - as there seems to be little out there detailing the process for fixing it.

Cheers

Spud

Just to confirm that the clip holding the mechanism under tension is not a C clip. It's an "O" - It's called a star lock washer, speed lock, locking washer, or something like that!
I went around a couple of vendors yesterday - even a BMW garage that was nearby - but I couldn't source one.
Oh well, good old e bay - a pack of 10 for under 2 quid.

10mm internal diameter should be with me Saturday - British Post services permitting!

[SpudMurphy]

repair details set out here
http://www.deloreaneurotec.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5691