Installing sideview mirror

[mikehos2004]

When I got home from work today a great surprise was waiting for me: the original style sideview mirror for my 78 Z that I ordered. I went out, took off the Wal-Mart one that the PO put on, then found there is more to it than I thought to get it on there. It looks like I need to get behind the door panel to secure the backing plate. Is this right? If anyone has experience with this it would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure this is an extremely basic thing, but I'm new to working on my car, and I'm definitely getting better. Thanks to this forum I've changed my oil sending unit and fixed my non-working heater. Awesome.

Thanks!

Mike

[DatsunZsRule]

Yeah, The door panel will have to come off. It was a long time ago when I last did my side view mirror. I got the style mirrors like the 78 Black Pearl Z's came with. Wasn't easy finding those Back when I bought my Z, the head of the mirror was gone on the pass. side. Previous owner told me it went sailing off when he was doing about 70 MPH getting on the highway :eek:

Best of luck.

Edited November 8, 2008 by DatsunZsRule

[mikehos2004]

Thanks for the reply Jard. I'l get out there today and try to get the door panel off without breaking it.

I also like those Black Pearl mirrors. And your Z looks great, you should ad some pics of it. I love the blue.

Mike

[240znz]

Heh Mike,

Just take your time when removing the door panel. The old particle board is prone to becoming soft over time and you could end up losing a few clips through the board. Use a putty knife and slip it between the panel and the door, twist and gently pull up on the knife to pop the clips out.

You will need to peel back the plastic to get at the door cavity. Make sure you seal it back up well.

Good luck.

[kinfish]

It is very difficult for one person to hold the mirror in place, put backing plate in position and then try to start the lockwasher and nut.

Big, muscular, non-flexible arms and hands will not work.

I just reinstalled the mirror but removed the glass to improve access to the area.

[DatsunZsRule]

Thanks for the compliments Mike.

Yeah, as others said, they are fragile being 30+ yrs. old. I used my Snap-On small Non-marring prybar to pop mine out

Of course it doesn't have to be Snap-On Just showing what I used.

Amen to that Ron. Another set of hands will make it much much easier. I did it alone and it wasn't easy. Very frustrating

[blue 72]

My Z came with some droopy aftermarket mirrors, and I had to weld the extra holes shut and pound that area of the door straight again. The original side mirror I snagged from a '71 in a junkyard was easy to put on after that. Hold it in the left hand and fish the nut that holds it on from the inside with the right hand.

[hls30.com]

Thanks for the compliments Mike.

Yeah, as others said, they are fragile being 30+ yrs. old. I used my Snap-On small Non-marring prybar to pop mine out

Of course it doesn't have to be Snap-On Just showing what I used.

Amen to that Ron. Another set of hands will make it much much easier. I did it alone and it wasn't easy. Very frustrating

Not that Snap-On doesn't have great tools, but Harbor freight has a set on sale for $7.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95432

And a $20 metal set as well:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=99739

Will

Edited November 9, 2008 by hls30.com

[sblake01]

I've got those. I have a lot of tools from Harbor Freight. Tools like that from them are fine. You just have to be careful when buy any type of heavy duty use or precision type tools from them because, quite frankly, the do sell a lot of stuff that is outright junk. (IMO)

[mikehos2004]

Thanks for all the help guys. I have a buddy coming over after work tomorrow to help. Seems like having a second person is good advice.