How to fix inside rear view mirror

This is a perfect instance in which a 3D printer comes in handy. Someone could scan a good part. Email the file to person in need. Run file through printer and voila! Soon...very soon.

 

3 more questions:

The edges of the mirrored film is flaking off. Has anyone...or does anyone recommend...replacing it with new 3M mirrored film?

Is the mirrored glass supposed to move around inside the mirror housing? I folded up some paper and placed it behind the mirrored glass. Just so that I can drive home tonight. And the mirrored glass is moving around inside the housing. Shouldn't it fit better? I'm pretty sure this is how it should be as I didn't find any deteriorated parts inside the housing when I opened it. Just checking.

I'm thinking there might be 2 kinds of X1/9 mirrors. My invoice states that this is for 1974-1988. Is this the case? Do I need a pre-1974 mirror?

 

You can see lots of internal assembly images here:

Dino 246 Restoration Blog: Wal-Mart does its part: The rear view mirror restoration

 

Thanks Rob. This image answers the moving around question.
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Wow... reviving an ancient thread here, but I have a new solution to this. I suspect many are going to have this issue because the original design had a 'flex hinge' between the switch you push, and the mirror carrier its self. After 40 plus years, both use, and aging plastic will make this break. It is just a matter of time. I too could find nothing to repair it, and NOS mirrors are insanely expensive... and likely to fail too just due to the age of the plastic.

So we need a Ferrari Vitaloni 308 328 512 F40 (I so wish) rear view mirror repair.

It is a fiddly job so get out your magnifying glass and your sewing gear!

You will need,
'Whipping twine'. Essentially very strong thread that sailors use to sew sails, and wrap rope ends. White Dacron. You will see it in the pix. Cannot be stretchy.
Super glue
Needle tweezers

Procedure:

1). Remove mirror from car. You can do this with a firm tug on the arm affixed to the windshield. It is a spring loaded snap socket so it will release, or your mount will come off the glass. If the latter happens, you will need to glue it back on later. See picture with the round mount post. This pushes into a spring cup. So not permanent.

2). Disassemble glass from mirror. Fingernails under the lip on the bottom edge, and then just pull it back. Off will come: The plastic bezel around the outside edge, the clear glass, the mirror in a thinner plastic frame, and a cardboard insert behind it all to keep things from rattling.

3) now you have the problem in plain view: The lever used to be part of the plastic thing riveted to the mirror. It has broken off.

4)The repair. Take your whipping twine and tie it to the lever shaft. Add about 4 turns and then do 'figure eights' around the bottom of the riveted part. Then do another 4 extra turns on the lever part. I went back up to the riveted part and tied it off. Do this on both sides of the lever. And note. The "hinge" is supposed to be on the bottom, farthest from you part of the riveted part so keep things in that alighnment as you sew.

5). Glue: I then soaked the bottom part only of the wraps on the lever with superglue. I also added some super glue to the knotted area on the main frame and singed the twine tips to avoid unraveling.

IMPORTANT: Do not get superglue on the part between the two plastic parts. This is the new hinge and needs to remain flexible. Also, you have to be careful to keep everything tight as you go.

Reassemble and snap into place.

Enjoy rattle free driving with a Day/Night switch that works! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Good one!

Anyone got an easy source for replacement glass? After 50 years, the silvering tends to flake.

 

Thanks!

As for the glass, I think your best bet is to take the one you have, take it out of the thin plastic frame, and go to any glass shop. They should be able to cut you a new one from sheets of mirror they have in stock using the original as a pattern. My guess is this might cost 50 or 100, but probably less than getting a horsie part - assuming it exists. I've never seen it. Wouldn't be a bad idea to ask the shop to make 10 or 20 as I'd guess they might make a batch for not much more than a single. You could then do a public service by selling them here for say 40 bucks. I'd pay that in a heartbeat just to avoid the hassle. May do that when I get some time in the winter.