Side view mirror install wtf!

ivwshane · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:14 pm Post subject: Side view mirror install wtf!

So I broke my drivers side mirror the other day and I bought a $40 replacement from BD.

The issue I had with my original mirror before I broke it was that it was always moving, whether it was the mirror itself or the base coming lose. When I broke it I thought I messed up the thread on the door but upon inspection I merely broke A thread off of the mirror itself. So to me it looks like my problem was that not enough of the mirror bolt was going into the door to create a strong connection.

My new one is the same way and not enough of the thread goes into the door to feel safe.

Is the mirror really held to the door by two threads? I've tried screwing the bolt on further down the bolt to allow more bite but it doesn't go very far.

What am I doing wrong?

Ps

I'm using a plastic washer but even if I don't use it I'm still not getting more than two threads holding the mirror up.

How hard could a damn mirror install be!
_________________
77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

maximan1 · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:36 pm Post subject:

It seems to me like the captive nut inside the door that is supposed to be holding the mirror is mostly stripped. Also, on my bus I never used any type of washer between the mirror and the door. There is supposed to be a kind of sleeve on the threaded part of the mirror that you tighten down against the door using a wrench, which locks the mirror in place, but that would hurt more than help if the mirror is only being held in by a couple threads. Make sure a previous owner didn't strip out the captive nut in the door.
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1978 Transporter, 2.0L FI

Wasted youth · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:40 pm Post subject:

Is the mirror really held to the door by two threads?

Hmm...I doubt it. I finally found a passenger side mirror, and it spun in by several revolutions, nice and tight. And I had a thin nylon washer somewhere in there. It hasn't loosened up.

You sure the mirror you got is made with enough threads?

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352

It takes more force than you would think to back the nut all the way off so the mirror will thread fully into the door. Not sure if this is your problem or not. There is just a plain lot of poorly made crap out there today, hard to believe how many ways people can come up with to make something wrong. Crying or Very sad

I guess you could remove the nut and loctite the threads on the arm into the door, or maybe grind the nut down some.

ivwshane · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 11:47 pm Post subject:

I installed it with out the washer, hopefully it doesn't come loose:|
_________________
77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

1975 Kombi · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:44 am Post subject: Mounting side view mirrors

The factory OE mirrors have a longer thread length and the nut has a recess to allow the threads future extension. I bought Wolfsburg mirrors and the thread part is not enough and there is no recess in the nut. So the combination of the two Wolfsburg parts does not leave enough thread to screw into the door. Also the door has a tapered recess that does not allow the threads to catch until they are in 3 thread. I couldn't get my new mirrors tight either.

OE arm is on the right.

211 857 541

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

211 857 517

_________________
Brett

“He’s decieving you boy! Reach into his pocket and take what he’s got.” Mr. Crabbs.

75 Westy auto
03 Jetta TDI
71 SB
74 Westy
Licensed pilot (single engine land VFR)
--
Rust In Pieces: 72 Bug, 73 Bug, 81 Rabbit LS D 2D, 83 Rabbit D 2D, 84 Jetta TD GL, 85 Jetta D, 68 Z28 RS 302, 91 Passat 16v

busdaddy · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:48 am Post subject:

That's a hell of a big difference, I hope Shane kept the arm mount from his OG mirror.
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Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352

Sadly, some of the arms are interchangeable between the mirrors and some are not. There is just a lot of bad crap out there in the way of classic VW parts these days.

The best solution can be to find a stock mirror setup and if mirror body is not reusable then to remove it, drill through the knob on the top of the vertical arm and mount a generic mirror from a FLAPS to the arm.

ivwshane · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 11:42 am Post subject:

I knew there was something wrong! Sadly, it appears my original mirror was an after market mirror too:(
_________________
77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

chazz79 · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 12:11 pm Post subject:

I think thise threads were 14x1.00 if you can find a tap and cut them the rest of the way down (like the sweatshop children in china should have).
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rustbus · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 12:13 pm Post subject:

oh OE, where would we be without you? Smile

if i were you i'd cut my losses now and pick up a set of originals.

well well, here comes a nice looking set now!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1553647

and there's loads to choose from

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?...rds=mirror
_________________
May of '72 Deluxe. Red Bay Bus

2.0L L-Jet CS & 091 trans conversion
my Bus thread

1975 Kombi · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 12:21 pm Post subject:

I was trying to find the rubber seal for the mirrors to seal my glass back in but I don't think I is in reproduction. On 90% of these mirrors the issue is the seal holding the glass in has dried and broke away. I looks to be a straight extrusion.

_________________
Brett

“He’s decieving you boy! Reach into his pocket and take what he’s got.” Mr. Crabbs.

75 Westy auto
03 Jetta TDI
71 SB
74 Westy
Licensed pilot (single engine land VFR)
--
Rust In Pieces: 72 Bug, 73 Bug, 81 Rabbit LS D 2D, 83 Rabbit D 2D, 84 Jetta TD GL, 85 Jetta D, 68 Z28 RS 302, 91 Passat 16v

Tcash · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 2:09 pm Post subject: Mirror Bracket

Thank YOu

tristessa · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:56 pm Post subject:

archemitis · Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:37 am Post subject:

Damn, thats a huge difference. Horror story parts threads like these make me very glad I have a rusty 78 parts bus.

1967250s · Samba Member Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 2137

What about getting a thread cutter/ tap for that? Might have to paint the threads though. The arm from the new one won't fit in the old mount? Any way to shim or sleeve the old mount? Lots of bushings available at HDepot and Lowes.

djway3474 · Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 4:18 pm Post subject:

Has anyone seen an aftermarket mirror with the long threads? I am in need of a pair myself.

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352

Vince Waldon · Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 9:29 pm Post subject:

Agreed... I'm on my third set of aftermarket... still looking for a winner. Sad

Besides the thread problem documented above the aftermarket mirrors I've tried (a) don't have a proper shim-style locking mechanism on the arm pivot point, so they keep loosening by themselves and (b) have a sloppy joint behind the glass that soon works loose.

Other than that they work great. Rolling Eyes

_________________
Vince Waldon Edmonton Alberta CANADA
1970 baywindow

ivwshane · Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 9:35 pm Post subject:

As I mentioned already I got the $40 busdepot mirror and while the bolt doesn't have long threads and the collar has threads all the way to the top, so far the rest of the mirror is nice. It has held its position so far and I like that I can do minor adjustments of the mirror (tilt, swivel, etc) without having to mess with the arm itself.

I'm trying to buy OEM bolts and collars but getting responses from some sellers is a pita!
_________________
77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab


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