Loose Mirror .........help!

[gilroy]

My Drivers side mirror is very loose. Where the mirror attaches to the car body. The hex bolt is all the way tight. Yet the mirror feels like it could fall off the car. Please help

Thanks Chris Gilroy

[Rot 911]

Would help if we knew what year car you had. But I am guessing you have flag mirrors. The hex bolt has a threaded "L" shape piece that rides back and forth on the hex bolt. It has either broken or is not mating with the edge of the door cut out. Turn the hex bolt counterclockwise until you can remove the mirror and find out what is wrong.

[gilroy]

Kurt V. Thanks. The car is an 1985 911. I just took off the Flag mirrors
and attempting to install 993 mirrors. an other suggestions are appreciated. Thanks Chris gilroy@jps.net

[WERK I]

Chris,
There should be a base anchor plate that provides a more secure foundation for the mirror. If the anchor plate is not secured to the door skin, it would most likely drop to the bottom of the inner door area. The anchor allows the mirror L-clamp secure without stressing the sheetmetal of the door skin.

[gilroy]

werk-1 Thanks. I didn't feel any kind of support through the hole which the L-clamp goes through. What does the anchor plate look like? Can you see it? How is it attached to the door skin?

Thanks

Chris

[rick conrath]

The L clamp on the flag mirror relies upon the integrity of the opening in the door to hold the mirror securely in place. As you tighten the bracket...it wedges itself in the opening to form a tight fit. Once you do this a few times, you will find that the edge of the opening becomes worn at the point where the "L" bracket wedges itself against the miror opening in the door. I guess you could shim the opening to reduce the opening size for a tighter fit if this is what you are experiencing.
Rick
'78 930

[WERK I]

The factory recommends riveting the base plate to the door skin. The rivets are hidden from plain view because they are in an area behind the base of the mirror. Seeing it is a bit difficult because it is in an area obstructed by the inner door panel and window mechanism. You should be able to view it by looking down the holes in the door skin. You could put your finger in the hole and feel two distinct layers of metal, one the door skin and the other the base anchor. It is quite possible that this mirror was installed by a previous owner, in which they neglected to install the base plate. This would explain why the mirror became loose. The door skin sheetmetal streches very easily with any type of force. The shape of the anchor is about 3"x5" and is curved the the shape of the door skin in that location. It is also zinc coated for rust prevention.

[WERK I]

Here is a parts diagram of the base anchor(reinforcement). Item number 12.

[gilroy]

Thanks guys. I will go check to see is there is a reinforcment plate.
I don't think there is on my door, which my explain the problem.

Thanks Chris