All the while being careful not to overtighten...

As a general rule of thumb, clean, clean, clean. Make it CLEAN first. I
would think a light coating of oil might not be bad for the metal..

Also, I like the idea someone on the list had about using a cutter to
score lines in the ball-socket surface(s), giving you a surface with
friction.

Brad

Aaron Reams wrote:

>>(Unless there's something to adjust from the underside of the mount, which
>>
>seems very >unlikely.)
>
>Quite the contrary, you need to take the mirror off and tighten the bolt
>underneath of the bracket.
>
>Aaron
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Jim Rohrer [mailto:jim_rohrer@YAHOO.COM]
>Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 5:19 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Side mirrors blow in
>
>
>I just bought an 86 GL camper a few weeks ago and when I hit around 65 mph
>(yes, top speed downhill) or drive into a headwind the side mirrors fold in,
>on both the drivers and the passengers side.  Not good.  There doesn't seem
>to be any kind of tightness adjustment or locknut to hold the mirror in
>position on the ball joint between the mount and the mirror.  Just the ball
>and gasket, right?  (Unless there's something to adjust from the underside
>of the mount, which seems very unlikely.)
>
>I'm thinking I may just need to replace the gaskets, so am wondering if this
>is a common maintenance task for the age of Vanagon.  Also, right before I
>purchased it the previous owner had the exterior detailed.  I'm thinking the
>gasket may have received an ArmorAll treatment that has lubricated what
>ain't supposed to be slippery.  Maybe a mild soap solution will take care of
>it.  I'm going to give that a shot tonight without even removing the mounts.
>If that doesn't solve it, it doesn't look to be much work to just yank 'em
>off and see what I can see, but any input from experience would be
>appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jim
>1986 GL Camper
>