floppy mirrors fixes
worn out side view mirrors
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worn out side view mirrors
My 89 Bronco II has the ball and socket style sideviews (not the wide ones for towing.) Over time these have worn and now air pressure on the front of the mirrors while driving forces them back towards the windows at speeds above 50 mph.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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theres a little rubber bushing inside that keeps em from flopping.... most dont have the dang thing anymore. I just went to a junkyard and looked around all the ford stuff until i found a non floppy mirror. The part the bolts to your door looks a lot like the ones off vans and f 150s n stuff but it is slightly different, that was my mistake. Anyway the mirror itselft is a quick swap from junkyard bracket to your existing bracket so dont sweat it. Oh by the way, i got two mirrors and it cost me $15 so dont worry about that either.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 763
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From: home
quick fix on mirrors
Use some black electrical tape stretched tipe after it is in the location you want it in. Pull the tape tight around the joint. My BII was done like that when i got it. Doesn't look to bad as the joint is black & all blends in. 
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Cameron, OK
If the mirror screws down into the frame on the door... I think the ball and socket shaft is threaded for like a 3/8" stud... then you can remove the whole mirror assembly from the frame and buy a replacement black or chrome at most wal-marts. I found them for my Bronco, they use a plastic back housing instead of the stainless or painted metal like the originals, but for the $$$ they were great. I think they were $12 a piece or somewhere close to that. You said "Not" the wide ones for towing, I'm not sure if these are the ones you have though because my B2 was an 85, and the mirrors are nearly identical to the ones on my full size bronco... so they may be a "Tow" mirror. The thing doesn't even have a bumper equipped for a ball or a reciever so I never thought of them as Tow mirrors, but I think I do remember seeing some small car like mirrors on the later model B2's.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Mid-Atlantic
You have what were referred to as the "Paddle" style mirrors. All I have to say is don't even bother to replace them. I've owned three different vehicles with this style mirror and they all did this. If you want to replace them just look online. They're about 35$ each. Just do a search for "Ford Bronco II mirror" and you should come up with several options. OR I would suggest going to a salvage yard and find a vehicle with the "towing" style mirrors. The top mounting holes are EXACTLY the same as your paddle mirrors. You will have to drill the lower two holes and use a fender washer to back up your nuts. Make sure to get the bolts and pads from the vehicle they come off of as they are no longer available from ford. I did this conversion on mine and it cost me the same as a pair of replacement mirrors online. Good luck 
One Ton
One Ton
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Mid-Atlantic
Looks like they have several good options for alternate salvage mirrors as well. Looks like the idea of repairing the mirrors would be a good permanant fix with little cost for parts. I still like having a larger mirror though.
One Ton
One Ton
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Junior User
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Walmart has the replacement mirrors. I needed one and just happened to find them in Walmart. It's a direct replacement. No need to replace the arm bracket and mirror.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 53
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From: Auburn, WA
I fixed mine ;)
Well, I read the "floppymirror.html" site and it has great advice. but I just opened mine up and looked inside. there are two bands of metal that hold the ball inplace. These bands of metal lose their tension over time and then they flop around right? Right! Well my fix was to put in a small stainless finishing nail in between the bands of metal CAREFULLY by using a small chisel to spread them apart just enough to pound in the nail. with the nail in between them the tension is "restored". well anyways it worked. I also even put some grease on the ball so it moved smooth and not to (stiff) so to speak LOL. good luck!
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 99
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From: Bay Area, West Coast
Floppy "Sport" Mirrors
It seems I saw those mirrors, as well as taillights and other nearly exact OEM style replacement parts at a local Auto Zone parts dealer, just last year. Has anyone checked there? They weren't all that expensive either, as I recall.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
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From: Bixby, OK
about the tailight i have a little question on those, on mine the clear for the reverse lights seems to be a little dirty looking inside, i want this to be clear, is it oxidized plastic or what can i do to make this clear, i want to put in blue reverse lights just because i get bored with mine, what can i do to make them clear?
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, West Coast
In some cases, dirt can gradually collect on the inside of the clear lense, by getting in through poor seals, either around the snap-in bulb holder or a leak around the seam between the red and clear lenses. The light will look brownish then. If it looks more greyish, moisture has gotten in and remained over a long period of time, partially blackening the alumininum paint on the reflector.
Dirt can be pretty much blown out off the clear lense using pressurized air through the bulb holder's mounting hole. The lens will have to be dismounted from the fender to do this. A small (1/2" or smaller) fine bristled paint brush can be used to loosen stubborn accumulations. A penlight sized flashlight will help in checking the progress.
Surface dulling of the lens assembly can be cleared up by gentle patient use of Polishing Compound. Rubbing Compound is too coarse.
Dirt can be pretty much blown out off the clear lense using pressurized air through the bulb holder's mounting hole. The lens will have to be dismounted from the fender to do this. A small (1/2" or smaller) fine bristled paint brush can be used to loosen stubborn accumulations. A penlight sized flashlight will help in checking the progress.
Surface dulling of the lens assembly can be cleared up by gentle patient use of Polishing Compound. Rubbing Compound is too coarse.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
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From: Bixby, OK
i know all about the rubbing compound its great stuff, i've completely redone the finish of my BII with the rubbing compound and i did the front lenses too, by the way anybody know where i can get diamond cut clear headlights? i've found them for 82-88 BII's and rangers and i wish those fit but they dont, anyways just wondering
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 133
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From: Nanticoke, PA
Originally Posted by bozo
My 89 Bronco II has the ball and socket style sideviews (not the wide ones for towing.) Over time these have worn and now air pressure on the front of the mirrors while driving forces them back towards the windows at speeds above 50 mph.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
