Check your mirrors!!

A couple of weeks ago I made a careless mistake and hit my RH mirror (passenger side) with a case of wine (it's all Dave's fault!) and the mounting bracket broke! It broke at the main mounting point on the door. I yelled and cursed a lot for several minutes. Plan A was to find a used mirror. Plan B was to use JB Weld to repair mine. Plan C was to buy a new one. The RH mirror is Vitaloni 36753. I did a lot of internet searches and got a false lead that the mirror was on some late model Mustangs! I got quotes of $400 and $525 for new ones. Finally Plan A worked and I got a used piece for only $75. Seller included the next pivot piece and the SPRING which is not visible if you do not take it apart.

After investigating I realized that the mirror has a safety feature to pivot in both direction if struck by a dumb owner from front of back. Unfortunately, my pivot point was frozen and did not give. After cleaning up and painting the used piece, I check the pivot action on my old mirror and it took a lot of force to 'give'. I removed the spring, cleaned all and lubed the mating surfaces where pivot occurs. There is a "V" for the normal position. After doing this only a modest force would pivot the mirror in either direction. All is well with my RH mirror!

As a precaution I checked/serviced my LH mirror. It is easy. Pull back the bellow. Loosen the 8mm not for the spring. Spray in some light water-proof lubricant and re-tighten the bolt. Check that the mirror will pivot in both directions.

I suggest if you have not checked your mirror recently that you check it out and add a little lubricant. It might save you some yelling and cursing.
Ken