How To Fix Swinging Mirror, Caused By Broken Post (5 Viewers)

[hammerheadfistpunch]

So the other day I was cruising when I noticed that my DS mirror was swinging in the wind as I accelerated/braked. I searched on 'Mud and discovered that the post that allows the mirror to swing has two little plastic tabs that hold down a large spring. The spring puts pressure on the mirror, which forces it to stay in place. When the plastic tabs on the mirror post become brittle and break, the spring decompresses and the mirror housing is free to swivel.

I found several threads with ideas on how to fix this problem without purchasing a new mirror housing (~$300), and combined all of the great ideas I found into a simple and cheap solution (~$5). Here goes:

1) Remove the mirror glass, mirror motor, and finally the mirror housing. More detailed instructions for this procedure can be found here:

shakey sideview mirror FIX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/83177-shakey-sideview-mirror-fix.html

Broken Mirror and Glass Replacement For Idiots...Lots of Pics - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/378291-broken-mirror-glass-replacement-idiots-lots-pics.html
(Note: you don't have to remove the post, just the mirror housing)

One thing that I never saw mentioned in other threads is be careful for the three ball bearings that reside in the bottom of the metal "mirror frame". I didn't realize they were there until they all fell out when I removed the mirror and I had to sweep the garage floor to find them.

2) Go to hardware store of choice and purchase: 1x .25x3in. bolt, 2x fender washers (must be larger than the diameter of the spring), 1x .25in locking nut, and 2x .25 nuts. I bought more than I needed and ended up using the above hardware.


3) If only one plastic tab on the post is broken (as was the case with mine), file off or cut off the other tab so that when you tighten the bolt the fender washer won't sit crooked.


4) Feed the 3 wires that were disconnected from the mirror motor through the most rear hole (closest to tailgate) of the post housing. The wires must be rerouted due the fact the bolt/fender washers will be occupying the space inside the post.


5) With the mirror frame in place, run the bolt through the post with one fender washer at the bottom and one fender washer covering the top of the spring. Add locking nut and tighten with the two nuts. Tighten the fender washer down to the post then loosen just a tad so that the apparatus won't be rubbing up against the top of the post. Note: You can still add all of the other parts of the mirror after this step (you will need to room to tighten the nuts)




6) Put everything back together as you found it and reconnect the wires. If you are facing the glass of the mirror, from left to right the colors are Black, Red, Brown. Here is a picture of the BACK of the motor plate from another thread (This is for DS; order of wires is reversed for PS):


Note: Now would also be a perfect time to R&R your mirror hangers and bottom screw hole if you have a "shakey mirror problem" (most likely you will if the post broke). Refer to here: shakey sideview mirror FIX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/83177-shakey-sideview-mirror-fix.html

6-2)

Credits (and reference of all threads concerning this issue):
shakey sideview mirror FIX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/83177-shakey-sideview-mirror-fix.html
Broken Mirror and Glass Replacement For Idiots...Lots of Pics - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/378291-broken-mirror-glass-replacement-idiots-lots-pics.html
Loose Mirror Problem - Not Shaky mirror - - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/295383-loose-mirror-problem-not-shaky-mirror.html
swinging mirror fix; broken mirror post - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/456180-swinging-mirror-fix-broken-mirror-post.html
Driver's Side View Mirror HOUSING Loose - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/395744-drivers-side-view-mirror-housing-loose.html
Side view mirror bracket broke? (pics) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/368071-side-view-mirror-bracket-broke-pics.html
Broken Mirror Mounting Tab - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/72535-broken-mirror-mounting-tab.html

Thats a nice fix. I just ended up ordering some aftermarket ones from someone here and painted them to match. They look great, but aren't quite as nice as factory ones. I still have my old ones, maybe I'll try this.

 

[jet200]

Just wanted to say thank you @96beast for this post. Once again the community comes to the rescue with an easy and inexpensive fix!

 

[Reginherus]

I ran the wiring through the post and ran it through the spring since the second washer was going to be at the top.

View attachment 1171810

I then ran the wiring alone the fastener and made the wires point down like so.

View attachment 1171811


View attachment 1171812
Notice on the above pics that the washer, lock washer, and the two nuts have been set in place.

What's cool is that you only need slight pressure down on the spring. You'll notice that even a small amount of tension makes it work as it should.

Put everything back by reversing the steps. Pretty chill.

Btw. I was lucky in that my tabs on the mirror mount were still intact and not broken. This is usually the reason why most get the shaky mirror. I did notice some stress/strain hairline cracks so I added a very thin coat of crazy glue.

View attachment 1171817

Once again. Thanks Mud/OP for making this possible and nearly a $0 fix.

I did almost the same fix before reading this post. Was coming on here to post my fix. I used a 5/16"x 3" carriage bolt. Good idea on the double nut, if mine comes apart (nut backs off) I will redo that way or with a nylon lock nut. Mine came out like this.

Then I had the shaky problem too ... Solve Function is awesome...

My lower post on the mirror was almost gone. I used the reinforcement hoop from SF as a mold and recast the post out of epoxy then drilled it for the lower set screw.

So the other day I was cruising when I noticed that my DS mirror was swinging in the wind as I accelerated/braked. I searched on 'Mud and discovered that the post that allows the mirror to swing has two little plastic tabs that hold down a large spring. The spring puts pressure on the mirror, which forces it to stay in place. When the plastic tabs on the mirror post become brittle and break, the spring decompresses and the mirror housing is free to swivel.

I found several threads with ideas on how to fix this problem without purchasing a new mirror housing (~$300), and combined all of the great ideas I found into a simple and cheap solution (~$5). Here goes:

1) Remove the mirror glass, mirror motor, and finally the mirror housing. More detailed instructions for this procedure can be found here:

shakey sideview mirror FIX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/83177-shakey-sideview-mirror-fix.html

Broken Mirror and Glass Replacement For Idiots...Lots of Pics - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/378291-broken-mirror-glass-replacement-idiots-lots-pics.html
(Note: you don't have to remove the post, just the mirror housing)

One thing that I never saw mentioned in other threads is be careful for the three ball bearings that reside in the bottom of the metal "mirror frame". I didn't realize they were there until they all fell out when I removed the mirror and I had to sweep the garage floor to find them.

2) Go to hardware store of choice and purchase: 1x .25x3in. bolt, 2x fender washers (must be larger than the diameter of the spring), 1x .25in locking nut, and 2x .25 nuts. I bought more than I needed and ended up using the above hardware.


3) If only one plastic tab on the post is broken (as was the case with mine), file off or cut off the other tab so that when you tighten the bolt the fender washer won't sit crooked.


4) Feed the 3 wires that were disconnected from the mirror motor through the most rear hole (closest to tailgate) of the post housing. The wires must be rerouted due the fact the bolt/fender washers will be occupying the space inside the post.


5) With the mirror frame in place, run the bolt through the post with one fender washer at the bottom and one fender washer covering the top of the spring. Add locking nut and tighten with the two nuts. Tighten the fender washer down to the post then loosen just a tad so that the apparatus won't be rubbing up against the top of the post. Note: You can still add all of the other parts of the mirror after this step (you will need to room to tighten the nuts)




6) Put everything back together as you found it and reconnect the wires. If you are facing the glass of the mirror, from left to right the colors are Black, Red, Brown. Here is a picture of the BACK of the motor plate from another thread (This is for DS; order of wires is reversed for PS):


Note: Now would also be a perfect time to R&R your mirror hangers and bottom screw hole if you have a "shakey mirror problem" (most likely you will if the post broke). Refer to here: shakey sideview mirror FIX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/83177-shakey-sideview-mirror-fix.html

6-2)

Credits (and reference of all threads concerning this issue):
shakey sideview mirror FIX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/83177-shakey-sideview-mirror-fix.html
Broken Mirror and Glass Replacement For Idiots...Lots of Pics - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/378291-broken-mirror-glass-replacement-idiots-lots-pics.html
Loose Mirror Problem - Not Shaky mirror - - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/295383-loose-mirror-problem-not-shaky-mirror.html
swinging mirror fix; broken mirror post - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/456180-swinging-mirror-fix-broken-mirror-post.html
Driver's Side View Mirror HOUSING Loose - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/395744-drivers-side-view-mirror-housing-loose.html
Side view mirror bracket broke? (pics) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/368071-side-view-mirror-bracket-broke-pics.html
Broken Mirror Mounting Tab - https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/72535-broken-mirror-mounting-tab.html

 

[Reginherus]

Thats a nice fix. I just ended up ordering some aftermarket ones from someone here and painted them to match. They look great, but aren't quite as nice as factory ones. I still have my old ones, maybe I'll try this.

Where did you find aftermarket?

 

[96beast]

FYI, this fix is still going strong 12 years later. Maybe I should take some fresh pictures...

 

[dirtsock]

I did something similar today before having seen this thread. Ended up hollowing out a 2.5" bolt to run the wire through and used nut on top to hold the spring in place.

 

[Potholesandwich]

Such an excellent and easy and quick fix. Managed it with fasteners I already had in the garage. Thank you @96beast !

 

[Joaquin jimenez]

Hello there I found a better solution and still can run the wires easily, instead of screw and nut , I use the screw similar to the one of a roof lamp , but buy a longer screw and cut it to the right size , I am attaching a picture of the screw and nuts , you can figure out for sure how to replace the proposed screw and nut with this one !!!