Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
- jonyem
- Getting Hooked!
- Location: Sequim, Washington
- Status: Offline
Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
Both of my side mirrors are showing their age. The passenger side broke off at the pivot point. The part(s) connecting it to the arm are still rattling around inside.
Would it be possible to put it back together? Or should I just replace it?
As you can see the seal is crumbling away:
If it's at all possible I'd like to pop the glass out, replace it with new, and put in a new seal. Where would I find the seal? I recall seeing this done at some point, but recall where I saw it.
Also, not sure, but should there be a washer or something else to keep the mirror from drooping down as it unscrews itself?
Would it be possible to put it back together? Or should I just replace it?
As you can see the seal is crumbling away:
If it's at all possible I'd like to pop the glass out, replace it with new, and put in a new seal. Where would I find the seal? I recall seeing this done at some point, but recall where I saw it.
Also, not sure, but should there be a washer or something else to keep the mirror from drooping down as it unscrews itself?
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.
- airkooledchris
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Eureka, California
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh, or Replace?
My passenger side mirror isn't currently pointed anywhere useful, unfortunately. they just flop over at the first strong breeze.
I can however answer that last question. There used to be a plastic washer here. You can make your own out of a lid from a coffee can or peanuts/etc though. Mostly that's just to keep it from digging into the paint on your door.
I can never see over my dog sitting in the passenger seat to see out of that mirror anyway, so I haven't done anything about it. I will eventually though because it's ugly as sin (PO painted it black over the chrome, and it's pealing )
Not sure that I have ever seen replacement seals for these mirrors unfortunately.
I can however answer that last question. There used to be a plastic washer here. You can make your own out of a lid from a coffee can or peanuts/etc though. Mostly that's just to keep it from digging into the paint on your door.
I can never see over my dog sitting in the passenger seat to see out of that mirror anyway, so I haven't done anything about it. I will eventually though because it's ugly as sin (PO painted it black over the chrome, and it's pealing )
Not sure that I have ever seen replacement seals for these mirrors unfortunately.
1979 California Transporter
- ruckman101
- Lord God King Bwana
- Location: Up next to a volcano.
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
I've been told the gasket from a garden hose works as a washer.
neal
neal
The slipper has no teeth.
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
I said that. I hereby rescind it. The stupid hose washer is too mushy and the mirror creeps.ruckman101 wrote:I've been told the gasket from a garden hose works as a washer.
neal
Whoever said that washer is just to prevent scratching the paint? It prevents evil water incursion and seems to serve as a vibration damper.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- Randy in Maine
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
I got my mirror washers at the Depot....
Part number 211857543
I bought the stainless mirrors from OE VDub. So far so good.
Part number 211857543
I bought the stainless mirrors from OE VDub. So far so good.
79 VW Bus
- jonyem
- Getting Hooked!
- Location: Sequim, Washington
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
What kind of washer is that? Bus Depot has such an in depth description.Randy in Maine wrote:I got my mirror washers at the Depot....
Part number 211857543
I bought the stainless mirrors from OE VDub. So far so good.
I found a thread on Samba where they put mirrors back together using some tubing to act as the seal. That's my leading choice at the moment.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... irror+seal
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.
- dtrumbo
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Mill Creek, WA
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
Something to consider... these mirrors are absolutely wonderful and reasonably priced.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/Detai ... 1857513fww
Perhaps much more cost-effective than trying to restore your old ones.
As for the washer, I found translucent-white nylon washers in the plumbing department at my local Ace Hardware that work perfectly.
A little blue Locktite on the threads of the passenger-side mirror keeps it from unscrewing itself in the wind.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/Detai ... 1857513fww
Perhaps much more cost-effective than trying to restore your old ones.
As for the washer, I found translucent-white nylon washers in the plumbing department at my local Ace Hardware that work perfectly.
A little blue Locktite on the threads of the passenger-side mirror keeps it from unscrewing itself in the wind.
- Dick
1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.
... as it turns out, it was the coil!
1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.
... as it turns out, it was the coil!
- jonyem
- Getting Hooked!
- Location: Sequim, Washington
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
I have those in my wish list, which keeps growing.
I just may do that.
I just may do that.
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.
- grandfatherjim
- Addicted!
- Location: near Ottawa Canada
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
Thought I'd like stainless mirrors, so asked WW if the whole thing is SS, and they responded:
The mirror head is 304 stainless, and the arm is diecast/chomre plated (as original).
Regards,
Ron
The mirror head is 304 stainless, and the arm is diecast/chomre plated (as original).
Regards,
Ron
- jonyem
- Getting Hooked!
- Location: Sequim, Washington
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
Thanks for that bit of info.grandfatherjim wrote:Thought I'd like stainless mirrors, so asked WW if the whole thing is SS, and they responded:
The mirror head is 304 stainless, and the arm is diecast/chomre plated (as original).
Regards,
Ron
All I need to do now is place the order.
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.
- Oregon72
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Sherwood, Oregon
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
I thought I remember somebody saying the plastic spacer disk that comes on the top/bottom of stacks of blank CD or DVD media works well as a washer for side mirrors. Might need a little trimming/resizing.
I could be wrong on this so don't kill me.
I could be wrong on this so don't kill me.
-'72 Westy-
- jonyem
- Getting Hooked!
- Location: Sequim, Washington
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
After I read that I hunted some down in my cd/DVD spindles and all the washers I have are foam. That just seems like it'd be begging for rust. I swear they were a harder plastic not long ago.Oregon72 wrote:I thought I remember somebody saying the plastic spacer disk that comes on the top/bottom of stacks of blank CD or DVD media works well as a washer for side mirrors. Might need a little trimming/resizing.
I could be wrong on this so don't kill me.
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.
- bretski
- Ellipsis-Meister
- Location: out of hibernation...for now
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
That was me. Worked great, no leaks or vibration.Oregon72 wrote:I thought I remember somebody saying the plastic spacer disk that comes on the top/bottom of stacks of blank CD or DVD media works well as a washer for side mirrors. Might need a little trimming/resizing.
I could be wrong on this so don't kill me.
I will say this, though. The "OEM Hagus" mirrors sold by Bus Depot are absolute CRAP! Disintegrated beading, and horrible pock-mark staining behind the mirror glass. I'm ashamed to have them hanging on my bus. If I get a chance, I will post a couple pictures to illustrate...
My next set will be the Wolfsburg West stainless.
1978 Deluxe Westfalia - "Klaus"
"transcripts are overrated. hardware store receipts: those are useful." --skin daddio
"transcripts are overrated. hardware store receipts: those are useful." --skin daddio
- grandfatherjim
- Addicted!
- Location: near Ottawa Canada
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
A couple of years ago I got a set from CIP1. The nut on BOTH mirrors was threaded at an angle, meaning, as you rotated it, it wobbled. So if I were to try to mount them on the bus I couldn't cinch up the nut, and it would certainly have seriously gouged the paint if I tried.
They wouldn't take them back, as I had waited too long (over the winter I think). "30 days, sorry." " But they are DEFECTIVE". "Sorry."
So, I wouldn't get them there. To be fair, I have had other items from there that were defective and when they discovered the entire lot was bad, I was credited.
Caveat emptor.
They wouldn't take them back, as I had waited too long (over the winter I think). "30 days, sorry." " But they are DEFECTIVE". "Sorry."
So, I wouldn't get them there. To be fair, I have had other items from there that were defective and when they discovered the entire lot was bad, I was credited.
Caveat emptor.
- jonyem
- Getting Hooked!
- Location: Sequim, Washington
- Status: Offline
Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?
Ordered new ones from Wolfsburg West a couple days ago, should be able to put them on this coming week. I'll hang on to the old ones incase I do decide to refurb them.
Strongly considered ordering this:
https://shop.westcoastmetric.com/viewPr ... ID=211-000
Anyone had experience with this particular piece?
Strongly considered ordering this:
https://shop.westcoastmetric.com/viewPr ... ID=211-000
Anyone had experience with this particular piece?
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.