Is this fixable ? ( Loose wing mirror )

[MakaveliX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP4stJTlYPc&ab...
Driver side has always been looser than the passenger. Is there any way a mechanic could fix this bit of slack/play in the housing ? YouTube link attached above

The area where the slack is, is here

[E-bmw]

That isn't loose, you appear to be forcing it out of the notch that it fits into at the end of its travel.

The reason you are able to force it to move is the reason why a low speed mirror bash doesn't rip it off, it just slips round.

[MakaveliX]

E-bmw said:

That isn't loose, you appear to be forcing it out of the notch that it fits into at the end of its travel.

The reason you are able to force it to move is the reason why a low speed mirror bash doesn't rip it off, it just slips round.

The side in question moves much easier than the passenger side , now and again I have to move it back into place
I can literally push it with my finger and it’ll move , whereas the other side is firmer

My concern is that with high oncoming winds it could nudge it out of place whilst driving.

Edited by MakaveliX on Wednesday 21st February 08:39

[tux850]

Yeah, it likely can be fixed. I remember seeing inside one of my wing mirrors (completely different car but I'd expect a common design approach) and the bolt securing the wing mirror to its mounting post had a large spring under it to firmly-but-not-too-firmly hold the mirror in its seated groove. Tightening/loosing the bolt would adjust the spring tension and in doing so adjust how tight this hold was. Nipping this up might resolve your issue.

Now, I can't remember whether the bolt was adjustable from the top (needing the mirror glass and possibly glass-holding gimbal removing) or from the bottom (needing the wing mirror removing from the car), and that might well be an aspect of design that varies between cars.

[MakaveliX]

tux850 said:

Yeah, it likely can be fixed. I remember seeing inside one of my wing mirrors (completely different car but I'd expect a common design approach) and the bolt securing the wing mirror to its mounting post had a large spring under it to firmly-but-not-too-firmly hold the mirror in its seated groove. Tightening/loosing the bolt would adjust the spring tension and in doing so adjust how tight this hold was. Nipping this up might resolve your issue.

Now, I can't remember whether the bolt was adjustable from the top (needing the mirror glass and possibly glass-holding gimbal removing) or from the bottom (needing the wing mirror removing from the car), and that might well be an aspect of design that varies between cars.

Thanks for the helpful reply.
Here is what the inside of the unit looks like.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276032721268

Can you see anywhere there where it could be " adjustable " ?

If not I'd probably take it to the mechanic. Thankfully, the housing assembly for my car aren't too expensive, even genuine parts -- so replacing the unit is an option

[skywalker001]

I doubt it can be fixed , Get after market one , euros or eBay why risk it

[MakaveliX]

skywalker001 said:

I doubt it can be fixed , Get after market one , euros or eBay why risk it

Big job on my car, involves removing entire door trim inside, messing around with the window and having to route everything properly.
For now I have used loads of adhesive to keep it nice and firm and seem to have done the trick,