Loose V8 Door Mirrors - Help Needed
Discussion
My drivers door mirror has become loose.
I've followed several threads on this site and have consulted the bible.
I have unscrewed the mirror a little, located and tightened the hex grub screw, but this has not fully resolved the problem. When I screw the mirror back it tightens until I reach a position that is roughly at 90 degrees with the door at which point it goes loose for approximately a tenth of a turn and drops back. But it needs to be rotated this final tenth to match the nearside mirror and to provide a view of behind rather than the road.
On further investigation it looks like the outer boss that the grub screw is in, is the cause of the problem as this is the item that is rotating, or is it supposed to?
I'm now not sure what to do next and don't want to do anything that makes matters worse.
One option is to unscrew the mirror again and further tighten the grub screw, but I think is already as tight as it will safely go.
The other option is to see if there is any thing to tighten from inside the door, but from reading the bible and the threads I'm not sure that there is. The bible mentions that there may be a Torx bolt that can be accessed from inside the door.
Does any one have any advice or experience of a similar problem?
Many thanks
I've followed several threads on this site and have consulted the bible.
I have unscrewed the mirror a little, located and tightened the hex grub screw, but this has not fully resolved the problem. When I screw the mirror back it tightens until I reach a position that is roughly at 90 degrees with the door at which point it goes loose for approximately a tenth of a turn and drops back. But it needs to be rotated this final tenth to match the nearside mirror and to provide a view of behind rather than the road.
On further investigation it looks like the outer boss that the grub screw is in, is the cause of the problem as this is the item that is rotating, or is it supposed to?
I'm now not sure what to do next and don't want to do anything that makes matters worse.
One option is to unscrew the mirror again and further tighten the grub screw, but I think is already as tight as it will safely go.
The other option is to see if there is any thing to tighten from inside the door, but from reading the bible and the threads I'm not sure that there is. The bible mentions that there may be a Torx bolt that can be accessed from inside the door.
Does any one have any advice or experience of a similar problem?
Many thanks
Roger
Loads of threads for door mirrors on the S forum if you search.
However look at 'V8S door mirrors' - dated 27th July 06 for starters.
I had the same problem and my answer was :-
''...Hi I had the same problem when the grub screw gave up and left the mirror loose and floppy.
Tried using a cut down allen key (mine was 3.5mm) but too close and tight at '11 o'clock' and would damage the door casing paint, plus could not remove key from grub screw.
Removed door card but as was said whole fixing is 'glassed in' and did not want to 'break out' the retaining nut.
Simple solution after thought
1 Make sure mirror is in 'out' position - not folded to door on shaft.
2 Tighten grub screw as much as possible to allow mirror to just pivot to position required - level to match the opposite side.
3 Drill a small (3mm) hole to one of the easily accessible 'pockets' on the shaft - I chose the one at 7 o'clock. Careful not to drill to touch cables in core, but drill through both outer ring and fixed shaft.
4 fix using a 3mm hardened tapered machine screw - sort of thing from an old washing machine casing- i've kept loads from old bits of machinery etc. (about 5-7mm long)
5 gently screw home intil its tight -you can locktite if reqd. Screw will bit a thread if done cafefully.
6 relocate shroud - screw head in the recess of pocket so does not interfere.
7 Have a drink - job done............''
This fixing is 'permanent' and therefore must be done with mirror in EXACT position and FULLY 'OUT'. However when done the mirror can be 'folded in' as normal if required. This fix works as long as nothing is 'broken' and the shaft is still firmly bonded to the door casing. The fix is still good 10 month later with no sign of any slackness in the mirror spindle.
Hope this is of help
George
Loads of threads for door mirrors on the S forum if you search.
However look at 'V8S door mirrors' - dated 27th July 06 for starters.
I had the same problem and my answer was :-
''...Hi I had the same problem when the grub screw gave up and left the mirror loose and floppy.
Tried using a cut down allen key (mine was 3.5mm) but too close and tight at '11 o'clock' and would damage the door casing paint, plus could not remove key from grub screw.
Removed door card but as was said whole fixing is 'glassed in' and did not want to 'break out' the retaining nut.
Simple solution after thought
1 Make sure mirror is in 'out' position - not folded to door on shaft.
2 Tighten grub screw as much as possible to allow mirror to just pivot to position required - level to match the opposite side.
3 Drill a small (3mm) hole to one of the easily accessible 'pockets' on the shaft - I chose the one at 7 o'clock. Careful not to drill to touch cables in core, but drill through both outer ring and fixed shaft.
4 fix using a 3mm hardened tapered machine screw - sort of thing from an old washing machine casing- i've kept loads from old bits of machinery etc. (about 5-7mm long)
5 gently screw home intil its tight -you can locktite if reqd. Screw will bit a thread if done cafefully.
6 relocate shroud - screw head in the recess of pocket so does not interfere.
7 Have a drink - job done............''
This fixing is 'permanent' and therefore must be done with mirror in EXACT position and FULLY 'OUT'. However when done the mirror can be 'folded in' as normal if required. This fix works as long as nothing is 'broken' and the shaft is still firmly bonded to the door casing. The fix is still good 10 month later with no sign of any slackness in the mirror spindle.
Hope this is of help
George
Roger,
The grub screw is prone to loosening. What I did is to twist the cast aluminium 'spider' so that I could access the grub screw with the allen key facing the front of the car (to avoid paintwork damage). Then, I inserted the grub screw with a bit of loctite on the thread and nipped it up. With careful manipulation (to avoid cracking the casting)of a longish screwdriver into the spider, I rotated it until the whole mirror assembly was in the correct position.
Did this about 4 yrs ago - and it hasn't budged since.
Nick
The grub screw is prone to loosening. What I did is to twist the cast aluminium 'spider' so that I could access the grub screw with the allen key facing the front of the car (to avoid paintwork damage). Then, I inserted the grub screw with a bit of loctite on the thread and nipped it up. With careful manipulation (to avoid cracking the casting)of a longish screwdriver into the spider, I rotated it until the whole mirror assembly was in the correct position.
Did this about 4 yrs ago - and it hasn't budged since.
Nick
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