loose side view mirrors

[Ole Nasty]

Both my mirrors on my 2005 XLT are loose and fold in after a couple of miles of driving. Is there somewhere to make an adjustment or tighten it somewhere? I took off the backshell and didn't see anything.

It's not the actual glass, it's the whole unit where it pivots off the door, that is loose. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ELVATO]

Hmm, not sure on that one, since the "tightening" mechanism seems to be within the housing. You could try tightening the torx bit that's visible when you fold the mirror in.

Could also try sticking something in there, to hold the mirror in place. Maybe a couple layers of electrical tape, to build up the thickness and hopefully prevent it from sliding.

 

[Ole Nasty]

I tried the Torx screw but it's as tight as it gets. If I can't find another solution I may try the sticking something in there as a shim.

 

[ELVATO]

It's weird that both are loose.

Mine will fold in, as well as towards the engine, but they will "catch" in the center. Seems the mechanism is inside the mirror. Did they both loosen up at the same time?

I have a video somewhere (it should be a youtube link) on how to take the mirror off. You might be able to do that and peer inside and see if something else is loose in there.

EDIT:
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEIh76Slfhw

If you pause at 00:32, you see see a spring. I would think that tightening this spring would help apply some pressure to stop it from rotating?

 

[Ole Nasty]

Thanks for the vid man! I'll have to check that out. It is weird that they both got loose at the same time.

 

[jjkblay]

Gently see if you can get the mirror panel to pop off of the pivot assembly behind the glass. Be careful as the plastic clips becomes brittle over time. Once inside the case there is a bolt with a spring that you maybe able to tighten up and return the mirror to normal operation.

 

[dtd07]

1. Position the exterior mirror glass in a
downward position to obtain a gap at the edge
of the mirror.

2. WARNING: Place a shop towel.
between the exterior mirror glass and the
hand to avoid personal injury in the instance
Disengage the mirror glass.
• Insert a flat-blade screwdriver between the mirror glass tabs and the mounting plate,
and rotate to separate the locking tabs from the mounting plate.
• Carefully pull the top edge of the glass
away from the exterior mirror housing.


3. If equipped, disconnect the heated mirror
electrical connectors and remove the glass.


4. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
• Rotate the exterior mirror glass in all directions after the installation to make sure
all clips are completely attached.
Disengage the mirror glass.
• If equipped with power folding mirrors, they must be synchronized.