1960 rearview mirror

[Joe M.]

Ever since I replaced my dash pad, my rearview mirror has been wobbly and every time I hit a bump it shakes from side to side. I was concerned that if I tightened the holddown nuts too tight it would wrinkle the dash pad and make it look bad. Is a wobbly mirror the best it gets?

[Valeria H.]

Re: 1960 rearview mirror

The mirror on my '60 is tightened down and does not wobble but the dash pad comes up short in a spot or two. The tightness of the mirror may have caused this. I'm looking for an answer to your question too.
Valeria

[Howard M.]

Re: 1960 rearview mirror

Hi: I installed a shim (plastic; the thickness of the foam) under the pad for the mirror base to rest on. You can then tighten the base screws so the mirror doesn't shake and the pad is not deformed. It's a little extra work, but worth it.

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 rearview mirror

Can the shim be inserted after the pad is glued in place?

[Howard M.]

Re: 1960 rearview mirror

Hi Joe:
You can get to the mirror area after removing the speaker grill. Slip the shim under the pad (hopefully the pad was not glued down around the grill). The shim should be the same shape as the mirror base and predrilled for the mounting holes. You might have to carve away some of the foam(hacksaw blade) from the vinyl so that everything is level.

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 rearview mirror

I believe I glued it down, but maybe I can be careful enough to remove some foam, perhaps with a plastic fork or knife to make room for the shim. What makes good shim material?

[Howard M.]

Re: 1960 rearview mirror

Hi Joe: I used a scrap piece of acrylic plastic that was leftover from making side windows for the hardtop. If you can't find a single thickness, you can always glue 2 pieces together. Remember that the dash panel has a raised area under the mirror base so that the total shim thickness has to include that to make things level. It's really a cut and try situation.