I tried about a million things.  If you tighten the bolt too far it will
break. If you do it just right the wind won't blow it, but you can't adjust
it either.  I finally disassembled the mirror as per instructions below and
removed the plastic washer and reassembled it with a layer of liquid nails
in its place.  They work great, you can adjust them and I've been using them
this way for years.

Craig

85 WWW
86 Syncro

----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas J. LaLanne" <lalanne@IX.NETCOM.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2002 6:05 PM
Subject: Mirror fixes

> To anyone with loose mirrors (probably almost everyone at one time or
> another):
>
> When I bought my vanagon last summer, its mirrors were awful.  Most of
> the time, I got a beautiful view of the ground next to the car.  I found
> several tips from the archives on correcting the problem.  I first tried
> tightening the nut, but that didn't work.  I next tried the plastic
> washer fix, and it worked so well that I decided to save the methods,
> and send them to friends. The following are different levels of mirror
> repairs that all of us will undoubtedly need from time to time.
>
> Simple fix
>
> Take the mirror off (two screws at the base).  Look up into the base -
> you'll see a nut, stud and spring arrangement. You can tighten the
> nut--- and this will hopefully cure the floppiness. Approach this
> gently, with lots of WD-40 if it looks at all corroded. The stud is just
> stuck in the plastic and can pull out or simply shear off.
>
> Better fix
>
> 1.  Remove mirror.
> 2.  Clean oxidized contact surfaces.
> 3.  Disassemble the nut/spring assembly, making note of where things go.
>
> 4.  Insert a washer cut from thin polyethylene (a plastic milk carton is
> ideal) on either side of the spring (I used a dime for the exterior
> pattern, and punched the hole out with a paper hole punch).
> 5.  Tighten the nut and reassemble.
>
> This works well to keep the mirror in position yet allows it to be
> positioned without the fear of ripping it out by its roots.  The washer
> will wear out in a couple of years, but it is easily and, certainly,
> cheaply replaced.
>
> The big whammy (if the stud is loose)
>
> You will need:
> tube of JB Weld
> vise
> Vise Grips
> bench grinder (wear safety goggles/gloves)
>
> 1.  Remove mirror from door.
> 2.  Disassemble the nut/spring assembly.
> 3.  Place the arm of the mirror in a vise so that you can pull on the
> stud extending from the swivel part and it won't slip. Pad it the mirror
> with old socks, and do not tighten the vise too tight or you might crack
> the plastic exterior.
> 4.  With a vise grip, grasp the smooth part of the shaft & clamp down
> firmly.
> 5.  Pull the stud. Pull some more. Pull hard enough to pull it out.
> 6.  When stud is removed, look at the way the bolt emerges from the
> socket. Remember it.
> 7.  Use the grinder to remove material from the surfaces of each of the
> six sides and end to make room for JB Weld to fuse the metal stud and
> the white cast metal of the mirror support arm.  Remove ~ .5-1 mm from
> each surface.
> 8.  Periodically test fit the stud to fit loosely in the previous home
> of the mirror support arm. You want enough room to spread some JB weld
> in there, and to get good contact between the two.
> 9.  Mix JB Weld.
> 10.  Spread some JB Weld into the hole. Use a toothpick to get good
> coverage on the surfaces down in there. Spread some JB Weld onto the
> surface of the stud. Not too much, just coat all surfaces.
> 11.  Insert stud so that it resembles it's position before you removed
> it.
> 12.  Clean around area of socket to ensure smooth surface contact
> between the ball and the socket.
> 13.  Loosely assemble to look for clearances. Fix any problems.
> Disassemble for curing.
> 14.  Position the mirror for curing so that the stud protruding from the
> arm now points straight up or position a clamp to hold it in place
> during curing.
> 15.  After about a day or so reassemble and enjoy a tight mirror.
>
> Happy views to the rear.
>
> Tom LaLanne
> '86 Westy Weekender
>