Mirror instulation

[Alex 240Z]

I am trying to instal a new stock drivers side mirror on my 71 240Z. Got old mirror out and used the six inch extension with the swivel and a 12mm socket. now the installation has been a little rought for me. I heard a clunk and the old metal piece that goes inside the door feel out but the mirror came with a new one but to get the metal piece and the nut inside the door panel has been a problem and tricks or any easy way to do this ?????? Just basicly need help reinstalling the new stock mirror !!!!!!

[TomoHawk]

Next time use a dab of silicone to stick the (backing plate?) to the door before putting the nuts through. The only thing I can suggest to retrieve your part is a stick with a magnet on it or one of those long things with the little fingers that grab.

[Alfadog]

Do you have a child? They have small hands!

[TomoHawk]

Yeah, from what you see on those 'real-life' TV shows, you can see that kids can get their hands in the darndest of places! OL

[Alex 240Z]

I will give it a try Thursday !!! Small fingers would help and the magnet is a idea and the silicone too !!!! I will try them all !!!

[Bambikiller240]

I assume that you are trying this installation with the window rolled up? Right?

[Alex 240Z]

I have tried it both ways and with the window down I seem to get better access !!!! Do you know something I am missing ??????

[Bambikiller240]

Probably not. It's been a few years since I removed/reinstalled my mirrors, but I don't remember having much problem reaching things. I may have had the window fully or partially up, but I'm 99.9% positive that it wasn't all the way down.

(A small magnet is a handy thing to keep stuck to the inside of your tool box)

[EScanlon]

Tomohawk's idea of some silicone to hold the base plate is probably the best idea.

Unfortunately, installing mirrors is a 3 handed operation. One to hold the mirror in place, and the other two to get the plate and the nut onto the screws.

The last couple of times that I installed the mirrors, I held the nut between my pinky and ring finger and used thumb, index and middle to get everything aligned then very carefully, while holding the plate with my middle finger, switched the nut to my thumb and index and then got it started. That's the tricky part, once you get the nut on you can tighten finger tight and then insert your socket wrench. The only time that this gets easier is when the window is OUT of the door and you don't have to keep raising and lowering the window.

Enrique

[TomoHawk]

That's why I suggested using some silicone glue to (glue) the plate in place. Then you only need two hands to do the rest. Comes from experience.

[Alex 240Z]

Sounds like fun !!!! Yeah when I started this project I gave myself two hours to do it before it got dark !!! Just a simple mirror installation right !!!! I know the first day I must have dropped the nut and the plate a hundred times before quitting and my wife the third hand gave up after 20 minutes !!!

[Alex 240Z]

Got the mirror installed today !!! Used the adhesive silicone to hold the metal piece inside the door panel but I put string down each hole and the tied it to the two holes in the metal piece and then pulled up the string and the metal piece was almost lined up and the wedged my fingers and alingned the metal piece and firmly pulled on string and let adhseive seal and then cut string. Put mirror on out side used swivel and 6 inch extension 12mm socket with with some white lithum grease to hold nut in socket and after many tries finally got the nut started and finally ratcheted the screw tight !!! I took me a while but able to do it myself !!!!!! I Appreciate the help and took a little of everyones ideas thanks and its good to have a stable mirror !!