Excurison towing mirrors
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Excurison towing mirrors
I recently bought a low-mileage 2000 Excursion. Except for the ever-popular ball joints it's mechanically very sound, but a couple of the creature-comfort items need some attention.
The vehicle is equipped with towing mirrors. The passenger side mirror is missing the straps that connect the mirror glass to the motor. The motor works in all directions, but without the straps the glass just hangs there lifelessly.
Are the connecting straps replaceable? If so where do I get them and what do I need to do to install them?
Or do I just need to replace the entire mirror assembly?
Thanks,
Kent
The vehicle is equipped with towing mirrors. The passenger side mirror is missing the straps that connect the mirror glass to the motor. The motor works in all directions, but without the straps the glass just hangs there lifelessly.
Are the connecting straps replaceable? If so where do I get them and what do I need to do to install them?
Or do I just need to replace the entire mirror assembly?
Thanks,
Kent
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 347
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From: Texas
I'm not sure what you mean by "straps". The mirror glass (at least the heated ones) is "glued" to a plastic backplate/surround that has a circular collar on the back. That collar has small ball sockets to which two small linear gears attach (one for each direction of travel). Those gears then connect to matching gears on the motors which are mounted in a matching collar on the mirror housing that connects to the mounting arms. The motors are at 90 degress from each other and the mirror pivots on a "third" arm that is mounted diagonally across the morror.
I wish I had taken pictures when I had some apart. The mirror assemblies are not designed to be "repaired" (at least not very easily).
Can you provide a description of the "straps" in question???
D
I wish I had taken pictures when I had some apart. The mirror assemblies are not designed to be "repaired" (at least not very easily).
Can you provide a description of the "straps" in question???
D
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Hi D,
I'm "flying blind" here. A friend is a Ford mechanic and diagnosed the issue for me. When he described it I pictured a setup similar to the "passive restraint" seat belt where the motor drives a nylon strap/belt.
Since, as you say, these aren't meant to be repaired, perhaps I should just bite the bullet and replace the entire assembly.
Thanks,
Kent
I'm "flying blind" here. A friend is a Ford mechanic and diagnosed the issue for me. When he described it I pictured a setup similar to the "passive restraint" seat belt where the motor drives a nylon strap/belt.
Since, as you say, these aren't meant to be repaired, perhaps I should just bite the bullet and replace the entire assembly.
Thanks,
Kent
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 3
From: Texas
There are no "flexable" parts in the Mirror assemblies. Of course everything is "plastic". I'd suggest you check one of the "re-cycle" centers(what we used to call junk yards) for a possible wrecked vehicle. Even if the mirror glass is smashed, you can salvage parts for the motroized portion.
It will also give you an idea of how they go together. With the glass off, you can see into the guts and tell how it all works.
From the way you describe the symptoms, I suspect that one or both of the linear gears (they are only about 1 in long) have popped out of the ball socket or have jumped "track" with the matching gear on the motor.
If you can separate you mirror glass from the plastic backing (maybe some heat and/or glue softener) then you will be able to determine the problem.
I'd try that before going out and buying a whole new mirror. What's to lose????
D
It will also give you an idea of how they go together. With the glass off, you can see into the guts and tell how it all works.
From the way you describe the symptoms, I suspect that one or both of the linear gears (they are only about 1 in long) have popped out of the ball socket or have jumped "track" with the matching gear on the motor.
If you can separate you mirror glass from the plastic backing (maybe some heat and/or glue softener) then you will be able to determine the problem.
I'd try that before going out and buying a whole new mirror. What's to lose????
D
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Hi D,
My guess is that this mirror has been replaced or repaired before. There's paint missing from the "telescoping" arms that connect the mirror in places that shouldn't occur without some kind of help.
Instead of patching somebody else's patch, I'm leaning toward just replacing it. There aren't a lot of these kinds of mirrors in the local "pick and pull" lots and OEM equivalents are advertised all over the 'net for $120 - $140.
Thanks for the education!
Kent
My guess is that this mirror has been replaced or repaired before. There's paint missing from the "telescoping" arms that connect the mirror in places that shouldn't occur without some kind of help.
Instead of patching somebody else's patch, I'm leaning toward just replacing it. There aren't a lot of these kinds of mirrors in the local "pick and pull" lots and OEM equivalents are advertised all over the 'net for $120 - $140.
Thanks for the education!
Kent
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