70 side view mirror loose

[Bill L.]

The side view mirror will not pull up tight to the mounting bracket. It rattles when I close the door.

It is an original albeit a 1974 date but it is the correct GM mirror. R the Paragon repros up to passing judging standards?

The screw is very loose where it passes though the bracket that attaches to the door. I tapered screw might be nice. Kind looks like the hole is a little egg shaped too.

Any easy fix? I searched the archives but they generally addressed the mirror head being loose.

I thought I read something in the Driveline but could not find it.


Thanks, Bill

[Michael G.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

Bill, I remember seeing an article about this repair. I think it was in a past "Restorer" magazine. Not sure if the added tension will do much if the housing is "egged out". Paragon does advertise adding date code to the new mirrors but I too would like to hear from others as to the correctness of this unit before purchasing one. Good luck

[Jim S.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

I purchased a repo driver side mirror for my 75 a couple years ago. It had a tapered screw to tighten the mirror base to the plate on the door. It also was loose despite tightening the screw. I found that the threaded portion of the screw was too long and was bottoming out in the mounting plate. I ground off the end of the screw; the taper seated properly; and the mirror was tight to the base.

Jim

[Don W.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

my '69 has the larger '70 mirrors both driver and passenger; long story. Mine have the black rubbber inserts with the thredded fitting at far end which catches the screw end, pulls it up toward the screw head and expands the rubber for a tight fit. Same as the rear luggage rack inserts, only shorter. See the larger image here....Don

https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-35...or-kit-rh.aspx

https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-35...ation-kit.aspx

[Edward J.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

Bill. my 72 coupe went through flight judging without a hitch, It was a paragon mirror, I still have the original but the chrome has had it.Paragons mirror is exact from what I could see.

[Pat M.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

I also lost no points through multiple judgings for the Paragon mirror on my 70.

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

my '69 has the larger '70 mirrors both driver and passenger; long story. Mine have the black rubbber inserts with the thredded fitting at far end which catches the screw end, pulls it up toward the screw head and expands the rubber for a tight fit. Same as the rear luggage rack inserts, only shorter. See the larger image here....Don

https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-35...or-kit-rh.aspx

https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-35...ation-kit.aspx

Don,
To the best of my knowledge 1968 to 1974 outside rear view mirrors (left side) are all the same size. I hate to assUme, but are you telling us yours are the larger 1974 and up mirrors? or are you trying to tell us you think 1970 mirrors are configured differently than 1969?

[Don W.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

Terry,

Maybe I'm not correct The '69 had one smaller round drivers side mirror and no passenger side mirror. Correct? My '69 had painted sport mirrors on the driver and passenger side and drivers side was broken. Since I already had holes in both doors; I decided to replace both sides with the rectangular mirrors.

Don

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

Don,
No passenger side mirror was available for Corvette until 1973, and then it was a dealer installed (or owner installed as in my case) unit. When it became available in 1973 the head matched the size of the driver's side mirror, the smaller (pre 1974) size. I don't know when a passenger side mirror became available from the factory, but it was after 1973. Up until 1974 the available outside mirrors were the smaller head. I also do not know when the sport mirrors became available for Corvette. Some of the 1774 to 1982 guys can fill in those blanks in my knowledge.

[Don W.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

do you know what the judging guide says about having a passenger side mirror when it was not a factory option? It seems like a safety item such as the fire extingusher and battery cut off that should be allowed...Don

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

The judging guide says "minor deduction" as I remember. The judge is actually deducting for the holes in the fiberglass, even though they can't be seen.

My best memory is I lost one or two points for it. If one had the mirror with the larger head on a 1970-1972 -- thus giving a "date" deduction because of the incorrect configuration one might lose another point or so.

[Steven B.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

'Had a mirror with the same "loose" problem. I cut off part of a plastic wall screw anchor and inserted in the enlarged hole (it was already wallowed out, didn't have to enlarge) The mirrow screw tightened well in the base plate.

Steve

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 side view mirror loose

Mine is loose on the stalk. I will order new dated mirror assembly from Paragon.

I typically use JB weld to fill the hole and then redrill the correct size hole for.

I did this for the sill plates and it worked out fine.


Bill