Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

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jonyem
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Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by jonyem » Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:17 pm

Both of my side mirrors are showing their age. The passenger side broke off at the pivot point. The part(s) connecting it to the arm are still rattling around inside.
Image
Would it be possible to put it back together? Or should I just replace it?

As you can see the seal is crumbling away:
Image
If it's at all possible I'd like to pop the glass out, replace it with new, and put in a new seal. Where would I find the seal? I recall seeing this done at some point, but recall where I saw it.

Also, not sure, but should there be a washer or something else to keep the mirror from drooping down as it unscrews itself?
Image
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.

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airkooledchris
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh, or Replace?

Post by airkooledchris » Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:53 pm

My passenger side mirror isn't currently pointed anywhere useful, unfortunately. they just flop over at the first strong breeze.

I can however answer that last question. There used to be a plastic washer here. You can make your own out of a lid from a coffee can or peanuts/etc though. Mostly that's just to keep it from digging into the paint on your door.

I can never see over my dog sitting in the passenger seat to see out of that mirror anyway, so I haven't done anything about it. I will eventually though because it's ugly as sin (PO painted it black over the chrome, and it's pealing )

Not sure that I have ever seen replacement seals for these mirrors unfortunately.
1979 California Transporter

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ruckman101
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by ruckman101 » Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:54 pm

I've been told the gasket from a garden hose works as a washer.


neal
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Amskeptic
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by Amskeptic » Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:54 am

ruckman101 wrote:I've been told the gasket from a garden hose works as a washer.


neal
I said that. I hereby rescind it. The stupid hose washer is too mushy and the mirror creeps.

Whoever said that washer is just to prevent scratching the paint? It prevents evil water incursion and seems to serve as a vibration damper.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
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Randy in Maine
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by Randy in Maine » Sat Mar 03, 2012 5:33 am

I got my mirror washers at the Depot....

Part number 211857543

I bought the stainless mirrors from OE VDub. So far so good.
79 VW Bus

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jonyem
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by jonyem » Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:50 pm

Randy in Maine wrote:I got my mirror washers at the Depot....

Part number 211857543

I bought the stainless mirrors from OE VDub. So far so good.
What kind of washer is that? Bus Depot has such an in depth description.

I found a thread on Samba where they put mirrors back together using some tubing to act as the seal. That's my leading choice at the moment.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... irror+seal
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.

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dtrumbo
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by dtrumbo » Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:02 pm

Something to consider... these mirrors are absolutely wonderful and reasonably priced.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/Detai ... 1857513fww

Perhaps much more cost-effective than trying to restore your old ones.

As for the washer, I found translucent-white nylon washers in the plumbing department at my local Ace Hardware that work perfectly.

A little blue Locktite on the threads of the passenger-side mirror keeps it from unscrewing itself in the wind.
- Dick

1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.

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jonyem
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by jonyem » Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:37 pm

I have those in my wish list, which keeps growing.
I just may do that.
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.

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grandfatherjim
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by grandfatherjim » Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:34 pm

Thought I'd like stainless mirrors, so asked WW if the whole thing is SS, and they responded:

The mirror head is 304 stainless, and the arm is diecast/chomre plated (as original).
Regards,
Ron

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jonyem
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by jonyem » Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:29 pm

grandfatherjim wrote:Thought I'd like stainless mirrors, so asked WW if the whole thing is SS, and they responded:

The mirror head is 304 stainless, and the arm is diecast/chomre plated (as original).
Regards,
Ron
Thanks for that bit of info.
All I need to do now is place the order.
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.

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Oregon72
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by Oregon72 » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:44 pm

I thought I remember somebody saying the plastic spacer disk that comes on the top/bottom of stacks of blank CD or DVD media works well as a washer for side mirrors. Might need a little trimming/resizing.

I could be wrong on this so don't kill me.
-'72 Westy-

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jonyem
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by jonyem » Sat Mar 10, 2012 12:40 am

Oregon72 wrote:I thought I remember somebody saying the plastic spacer disk that comes on the top/bottom of stacks of blank CD or DVD media works well as a washer for side mirrors. Might need a little trimming/resizing.

I could be wrong on this so don't kill me.
After I read that I hunted some down in my cd/DVD spindles and all the washers I have are foam. That just seems like it'd be begging for rust. I swear they were a harder plastic not long ago.
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.

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bretski
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by bretski » Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:17 am

Oregon72 wrote:I thought I remember somebody saying the plastic spacer disk that comes on the top/bottom of stacks of blank CD or DVD media works well as a washer for side mirrors. Might need a little trimming/resizing.

I could be wrong on this so don't kill me.
That was me. Worked great, no leaks or vibration.

I will say this, though. The "OEM Hagus" mirrors sold by Bus Depot are absolute CRAP! Disintegrated beading, and horrible pock-mark staining behind the mirror glass. I'm ashamed to have them hanging on my bus. If I get a chance, I will post a couple pictures to illustrate...

My next set will be the Wolfsburg West stainless.
1978 Deluxe Westfalia - "Klaus"

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grandfatherjim
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by grandfatherjim » Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:21 am

A couple of years ago I got a set from CIP1. The nut on BOTH mirrors was threaded at an angle, meaning, as you rotated it, it wobbled. So if I were to try to mount them on the bus I couldn't cinch up the nut, and it would certainly have seriously gouged the paint if I tried.
They wouldn't take them back, as I had waited too long (over the winter I think). "30 days, sorry." " But they are DEFECTIVE". "Sorry."
So, I wouldn't get them there. To be fair, I have had other items from there that were defective and when they discovered the entire lot was bad, I was credited.
Caveat emptor.

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jonyem
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Re: Side Mirrors. Refresh or Replace?

Post by jonyem » Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:59 pm

Ordered new ones from Wolfsburg West a couple days ago, should be able to put them on this coming week. I'll hang on to the old ones incase I do decide to refurb them.

Strongly considered ordering this:
https://shop.westcoastmetric.com/viewPr ... ID=211-000
Anyone had experience with this particular piece?
Late 1973 ASI/Riviera conversion.

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