Side Mirrors

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Apr 30, 2021 | 08:52 AM

broncobasher

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From: 13th Colony

Side Mirrors

1990 F150 with the standard 2 point mount chrome mirrors on an aluminum bracket. The drivers side mirror is a bit loose and tends to move from shutting the door or interstate driving. Has anyone found a way to tighten it up?

Thanks,

Broncobasher

Apr 30, 2021 | 09:54 AM

jas88

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2002

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From: Greater Austin, Texas

3-point mount? I need to see a pic. The only 3-point factory Ford mirrors that I am aware of were the "Western" mirrors in the 70s.

Apr 30, 2021 | 12:41 PM

broncobasher

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From: 13th Colony

Brain fart here. It is a 2 point mount, 2 screws at top and 2 at bottom with the mirror bolted on top of the bracket. Not sure what I was thinking.

Thanks,

Broncobasher

Apr 30, 2021 | 03:37 PM

My4Fordtrucks

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I’ve never had one too loose. Usually you cannot move them at all - the ball and socket is rusted so bad. I have used a little bit of Kroil or PB Blaster to loosen them up but I don’t know how you’d fix that problem.

Apr 30, 2021 | 03:51 PM

SFaulken

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Joined: Nov 2009

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Quote:

Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks

Generally, if I can, I take them apart, and then nickel plate the ***** in my janky homebrew electroplating setup. But usually you end up breaking things, trying to get those mirror heads apart.

Apr 30, 2021 | 04:16 PM

spurredon

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2004

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From: Upstate NY

If you just plan on breaking the glass and attack it that way they come apart a lot easier. lol

Apr 30, 2021 | 10:41 PM

broncobasher

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From: 13th Colony

Quote:

Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks

If only I could put it in the position I want and then force it to rust.

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May 1, 2021 | 11:55 AM

broncobasher

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From: 13th Colony

Quote:

Originally Posted by jas88

I've only had one of those do that over the years, and I just replaced it with one off of a parts truck. I would go to the pick-n-pull and find one that is sufficiently stiff and replace yours.

That may be what I do. Both of mine have dents on the backside. Had a friend that was buying a piece of property and it had an abandoned 85 F250 on the property. He was going to let me scavenge parts off it and the mirrors were on the list, but alas, the seller removed all of the vehicles before the sell date.

Broncobasher

May 2, 2021 | 03:34 AM

#10

billt460

Cross-Country

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 65

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From: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by broncobasher

I had the same issue with mine on the drivers side. There was no way to tighten up the ball and socket where it was loose. So I ended up using 5 minute epoxy on it. I mixed it up, coated the ball and socket, positioned it where I wanted it, climbed out the passenger side, and allowed it to set up. I worked surprisingly well. And it wasn't an issue because my wife and I keep everything adjusted similarly. And we were the only drivers. But after a year or so it started moving around again.

So I got sick of screwing with it, and went to Autozone and bought a new one that matched pretty well. It fit perfectly, and has been on the truck ever since. (At least 10 years, and is still nice and tight). I think it ran right around $20.00 at the time. I should have just replaced it right off the bat, instead of screwing around with it. You can probably get an exact matching replacement from a place like LMC Truck.

https://www.lmctruck.com/mirrors/door

May 2, 2021 | 05:17 AM

#11

My4Fordtrucks

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Joined: Jun 2015

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jas88

I would go to the pick-n-pull and find one that is sufficiently stiff and replace yours.

That is what I have done over the years to replace dented mirror heads or where the rivet in the bracket has broken. Used OEM mirrors are pretty cheap from the junkyard and better than the aftermarket replacements.

Aug 2, 2021 | 06:37 AM

#12

broncobasher

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From: 13th Colony

Found a fix for the loose mirror by accident. Decided to take the mirror off the bracket and see about doing some sort of glue option. When I tried to unscrew it with my impact driver, the screw turned in the bracket but didn't loosen, so the post the mirror was on turned also. By turning the post, it got tight. Guess the ball and socket was worn one way and by turning the ball a few degrees, it wasn't wore and tightened up. All is well now until I get tired of looking at the dents.

Maybe this solution will help someone else.

Thanks,

Broncobasher

Aug 2, 2021 | 05:41 PM

#13

Exwhyze

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From: SE WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by broncobasher

If only I could put it in the position I want and then force it to rust.

Muriatic acid (HCl) from the pool supply store will clean steel down to the atomic level and leave it in a prime state to oxidize

That being said I am glad you had some luck with your mirrors. Mine were doing the same thing so I switched to a different style off a '75 f100. Honestly wish I had kept searching and got the "camper special" west coast jr mirrors from the same era, but I got impatient.