Date:         Tue, 30 Sep 2003 18:23:46 +0100
Reply-To:     Tony Polson <tp@WHSMITHNET.CO.UK>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tony Polson <tp@WHSMITHNET.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: Tightening Door Mirrors?
Comments: To: don spence <dspence@OANET.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Don Spence wrote:
>
> Only problem encountered was the drivers side mirror
folded back under
> wind pressure. (100 kph plus the gusts) and now won't
maintain position.
>
> How do you adjust the tension on these things?


Hi Don,

First remove the mirror assembly from the door by removing
the two Philips screws holding the mirror bracket.  Make
sure you use a large Philips screwdriver as these screws can
often be difficult to remove and you need to avoid damaging
the screw heads.

Inside the mirror bracket is a coil spring and nut.  The nut
needs to be tightened to stiffen up the tension.

If you tighten the nut too much, it will split the mirror
arm socket where it locates over the ball in the mirror
bracket.  This is particularly easy to do if you are using
the aftermarket Taiwan-made components; the German OEM
mirrors are somewhat sturdier.  So tighten it just a little,
maybe just half a turn, then refit the mirror bracket to see
if you've tightened it enough.  If not, remove the bracket
again and tighten a little more.  It's a pain in the a**,
but little by little is the best approach.

Finally, tighten the mirror bracket fixing screws using the
same large Philips screwdriver.  My own preference is to use
a copper-based anti-seize grease on the screws to prevent
future problems when removing.

Good luck!

Tony