Date:         Mon, 25 Aug 2003 04:58:49 -0400
Reply-To:     vanagon@BILL-COLLINS.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Collins <vanagon@BILL-COLLINS.NET>
Subject:      Re: 84 passenger mirror replacement - Bus Depot
Comments: To: gull@GULL.US
In-Reply-To:  <20030824172745.T32930@gull.us>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

> Has anyone replaced their passenger mirror with the one they sell at
> Bus Depot?  Just wondering about the quality.  Looking for one that
> will stay put so I won't have to keep tightening...


I bought a driver's side mirror from Bus Depot and it worked fine once I
tightened it.  After 4+ years, it needs tightening again. but that seems
typical of Vanagon mirrors. (Ron informed me that he has since switched to
a better supplier, so the new ones should be even better)

If you REALLY want a mirror that won't loosen, drill into the top of the
mirror mounting, drill and tap a hole in the metal stud that goes into the
mounting ball, and hold the whole thing together with a screw.  The PO of
my van did this to the passenger side, and it is NEVER blown around by the
wind (and I even have an extra wide angle mirror strapped to it)

(The problem with these mirrors is that the stud for the adjusting ball is
molded into the plastic mirror housing.  It's a hex shape, so it doesn't
rotate, but it pulls out of the plastic a bit every time you tighten it.
Eventually, the stud pulls out too much and the mirror goes bouncing along
the road)

Bill