Side view mirror removal

[autobonrun]

Since I’m the only driver of my 79 SC and seldom adjust the mirrors, I’ve lived with them not working. With some spare time now I decided to finally fix them. I can hear the motors click but the motor is not adjusting them.

So I have the mirror off (see photos), but can’t figure how to get the metal frame out. The motor is behind it. Threads and videos talk about rotating a ring but I don’t see a ring. Any help would be appreciated.

[autobonrun]

Or does the replacement motor come with this entire rubber assembly? That would be much easier.

[dlagerstrom]

Just took a look at mine from my 82. They are off and I don't plan to put them back on. Available if you like.

I sure don't see a way to take this further apart.

Good luck.

[autobonrun]

Originally Posted by dlagerstrom

Just took a look at mine from my 82. They are off and I don't plan to put them back on. Available if you like.

I sure don't see a way to take this further apart.

Good luck.

Thanks for the option. Sent you a PM. Is your connector the same as below?

[autobonrun]

Just for conclusion and to satisfy the engineer in me I decided to take apart the mirror. The only access to the motor assembly is to drill out the four rivets. Once that is done you can see the white motor assembly with a black frame on top. It is this frame that moves. The design is ingenious. A cable comes up from the motor assembly and wraps around the frame moving it in the desired direction. The spring in the corner keeps constant tension on the cable by expanding and contracting. There are 3 screws that hold this entire assembly in place so theoretically this entire assembly could be replaced. However I don’t see where it is sold separately and you would still have to replace the riveted metal frame. I’m going to just replace the entire inner and outer assembly. Porsche should have used screws instead of rivets but they didn’t. If I were going to fix this, I would glue some thin nuts over the rivet holes and use screws. At this point at least I understand the design. Maybe I’ll tear into the motor assembly another time. For the moment I’m just sourcing an entire assembly.

[GAJon]

Originally Posted by autobonrun

Just for conclusion and to satisfy the engineer in me I decided to take apart the mirror. The only access to the motor assembly is to drill out the four rivets. Once that is done you can see the white motor assembly with a black frame on top.

Like many things on these cars, the mirrors aren't so straight forward over the years. I just replaced the glass in mine and was also trying to figure this out.

These are the older version of the powered flag mirror. Flat plate like yours. These are basically NLA unless you pick up a second hand pair from somewhere. To answer your main question, yes these are sold and serviced as a unit. You're not really supposed to take them apart. The mirror is basically the housing, the motor/rubber assembly, and the glass in terms of components.

Old Style Flat Plate Mirror

These are the newer style 911/944 mirrors that use a circular locking ring to attach the mirror to the motor assembly. These can be used on older cars, just double check the wire connections to the switch. I think you have to make some minor changes.

Newer Style Circle Plate Mirror

There is also a third, even newer, style of the locking ring mirror that uses a PCB for polarity switching instead of the door switch. These would not be compatible with your car using the factory switch.

On top of all of that, if you wanted to go to manual mirrors, the door panel mounting holes have to be modified to accept this. Welding and painting required unless you make a fancy base plate.

[autobonrun]

Originally Posted by GAJon

Like many things on these cars, the mirrors aren't so straight forward over the years. I just replaced the glass in mine and was also trying to figure this out.

These are the older version of the powered flag mirror. Flat plate like yours. These are basically NLA unless you pick up a second hand pair from somewhere. To answer your main question, yes these are sold and serviced as a unit. You're not really supposed to take them apart. The mirror is basically the housing, the motor/rubber assembly, and the glass in terms of components.

Old Style Flat Plate Mirror

These are the newer style 911/944 mirrors that use a circular locking ring to attach the mirror to the motor assembly. These can be used on older cars, just double check the wire connections to the switch. I think you have to make some minor changes.

Newer Style Circle Plate Mirror

There is also a third, even newer, style of the locking ring mirror that uses a PCB for polarity switching instead of the door switch. These would not be compatible with your car using the factory switch.

On top of all of that, if you wanted to go to manual mirrors, the door panel mounting holes have to be modified to accept this. Welding and painting required unless you make a fancy base plate.

Absolutely correct. Over the production cycle, the design changed. The good news, at least for the flat plate design is that the mirror glass can easily be changed. The mirror itself is just held in place by three push plugs and the mirror itself can be replaced independently. One of my push plugs was broken and I used a trimmed sheet rock anchor as a replacement.

[jgurnari]

not sure if we have the same mirror but if so ...how did you get the mirror base off the car? Did you somehow separate the connector at the mirror?..Cut the wires or feed the wire all the way through the car?
https://imgur.com/a/iZV3JhW

[autobonrun]

Originally Posted by jgurnari

not sure if we have the same mirror but if so ...how did you get the mirror base off the car? Did you somehow separate the connector at the mirror?..Cut the wires or feed the wire all the way through the car?
https://imgur.com/a/iZV3JhW

Well there’s a hex screw in the base that allows it to be removed. However it doesn’t have to be removed to remove the internals. After mirror is removed, remove the screws that hold the motor assembly in place. My photos show a plug that connects to the wiring coming through the base. Tape that wiring in place so it doesn’t slide back inside one it’s unplugged. At least this is what I recall; it’s been a little time since I removed it.