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varagon
Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2013
Posts: 116
Location: SE Kansas
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 Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 8:48 pm Post subject: How to tighten the Mirrors? |
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So, when I drive, my mirrors vibrate and then slowly end up pointing down and moving in as the wind blows on them. As soon as I hit 40+, I can't even move my head enough to use them.
I've tried tightening them to no avail.
Any help or ideas?
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1973 Karmann Ghia Convertible |
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22manybugs
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2006
Posts: 373
Location: Yorba Linda, Calif
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| Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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My mirrors came with regular lock washers (i.e., one cut across the washer) on all the screws. I had the same problem, the mirrors would gradually rotate with the wind pushing against them. Tightening the screws makes no difference until you tighten so far it strips the thread. I replaced the regular lock washers with star lock washers, they seem to grip a lot better without having to tighten the nuts as much, so the mirrors stay in place.
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Lon
1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper |
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varagon
Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2013
Posts: 116
Location: SE Kansas
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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| 22manybugs wrote: |
| My mirrors came with regular lock washers (i.e., one cut across the washer) on all the screws. I had the same problem, the mirrors would gradually rotate with the wind pushing against them. Tightening the screws makes no difference until you tighten so far it strips the thread. I replaced the regular lock washers with star lock washers, they seem to grip a lot better without having to tighten the nuts as much, so the mirrors stay in place. |
Ok..But is that the nut at the mirror or the mirror to the door? Neither spot that can be tightened has washers.
What year is yours? Mine is a 73.
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1973 Karmann Ghia Convertible |
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danielsan
Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2008
Posts: 802
Location: Carson City, NV
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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if you completely unscrew the mirror from the door there is a nut that can be tightened some-- its on the end that points at the door card.
22manybug's solution is a good one but, unfortunately, also a good description of the problem; the parts eventually wear out. I've had some success with green locktite . . . |
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Kiptere
Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2013
Posts: 419
Location: Houston
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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I had that problem forever. No matter what i did they wouldn't stay tight. Just got new mirrors and solved the problem.
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68 Bug
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Northof49
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2013
Posts: 1759
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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I just bought a new mirror from CIP. It is their "Best Quality" ghia mirror. It has a square shaft on the vertical shaft and a split collet taper section to tighten up. I'll let you know how it holds up on the road test.
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1958 Karmann Ghia owner |
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22manybugs
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2006
Posts: 373
Location: Yorba Linda, Calif
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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| varagon wrote: |
Ok..But is that the nut at the mirror or the mirror to the door? Neither spot that can be tightened has washers.
What year is yours? Mine is a 73. |
Mine is a 69. I bought the mirrors from KGPR about 8 years ago, so it was all new hardware at that time. If yours didn't come with washers, maybe mine didn't come with them either and I added the lock washers, I can't remember. Getting the mirrors to stay in position, yet still move when you want to adjust them or when someone bumps into the mirror, has been a long-running problem. I tighten just until the mirror stays in place at freeway speed (70 mph), but over time it starts slipping, then I tighten a little more, repeat a few times (over a few years) then eventually the thread strips. The first time it stripped, I added several washers to move the nut onto a new section of the thread and started the process again. The second time it stripped, I re-threaded the bolt to the next smaller size (same pitch), and that's when I switched to the star washer. The star washer holds the mirror in position better with less torque, so I hope the thread won't strip out now. So far, it has held great since I changed to the star washer, about six months. This is on the horizontal axis - the bolt from the mirror to the door. The other thread that pivots the mirror vertically hasn't been as bad, I haven't had those apart for a few years.
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Lon
1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper |
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