Sport Mirror Adjuster

Discussion in 'Interior City' started by Red Skylark, Jan 20, 2020.

  1. Red Skylark

    Red Skylark Well-Known Member

    I just recently added sport mirrors to my 71 Skylark. I was not familiar that the inside trim piece that goes around the adjuster is different on the sport mirror then on the chrome mirrors. I tried using my old trim piece and the barrel of the adjuster is to large to fit in the hole. Is there a difference?
     
  2. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Are you talking about the rectangular metal trim piece that goes on the interior door panel?
    And the rectangular sheet metal piece that goes on the inside of the trim panel that attaches to the trim panel?
    They were the same on my 1972 when I added Sport mirrors from original Chrome metal.
    Did you get the little "U" shaped wire spring retainer?
    http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/HowToInstallSportMirrors.htm This link gives good examples...
     
  3. Red Skylark

    Red Skylark Well-Known Member

    Yes, rectangular trim piece on the outside of the panel. I also installed the inside retainer piece as well. But the adjuster is to big to sit in the round part.
     
  4. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Are they CORRECT sport mirrors? You can look inside behind the mirror lens and see the part number if it doesn't have too much paint; just roll your window down.
    And is the little "knot' on the 'ball" going into the trim panel?
    I didn't have trouble with the modified base gasket install of Camaro mirrors, nor the correct casting number sport mirrors...
    http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/SportMirrors.htm

    Load up a picture of your mirror "ball" if you can.
     
  5. Red Skylark

    Red Skylark Well-Known Member

    Yes, they are the correct sport mirrors. I checked the part numbers. Is it possible the wrong mirror assembly is in the housing?
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2020
  6. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    That same mirror assembly is used on quite a lot of different sport mirrors. You would have to disassemble the mirror to get at the part number on the back of the mirror; I don't think you want to do that, as your mirrors were PROBABLY painted as an assembly with the car, right?
    Do you have a caliper to measure the outside diameter of the 'ball' that the three cables are attached at the adjuster?
    Also, on topic, did you install the brace behind the sheet metal on the passenger door? All cars have the driver side mirror, so its brace was installed welded on the assembly of the door. If you didn't, the metal will fatigue and bend. The factory cars had it installed with a rivet to hold it on the assembly line. (That was one of the ways that you could tell a genuine GSX,.)
     
  7. Red Skylark

    Red Skylark Well-Known Member

    I haven't installed the passenger side yet. I knew about the brace tho, one of the reasons I haven't done it yet. The other I am nervous about drilling holes into my new paint or doing it correctly.
    Here are some pics
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Red Skylark

    Red Skylark Well-Known Member

    Pic of the adjuster ball.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. Red Skylark

    Red Skylark Well-Known Member

    The mirror number says 10-DMI-0
     
  10. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    Looks like October of 70
     
  11. Duane

    Duane Member

    The housing piece that fits into the chrome escutcheon is missing on the control wire assembly.

    I have seen guys put them back on and use a small screwed hose clamp to hold them in place. There is a small notch in the housing that aligns to the notch in the escutcheon. Just make sure you "clock" the housing correctly on the wire control assembly. Otherwise when you move the lever to the left it will not move the mirror in the same direction.

    Someone here probably has a broken mirror with that piece on it and can send it to you.
    Duane
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2020
  12. Duane

    Duane Member

    If you look at this pic you will see what is missing.
    Duane



    Bluemirror3.jpg
     
  13. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    OOOOH! That is what is wrong... The 'barrel' that the adjuster pivot mounts is BROKEN! By the way, an 11/16" will NOT go over the barrel,; a 3/4"will be loose; an 18 MM will fit snugly at some areas and comfy on other areas.
    Good luck on THAT fix... I checked the fit on quite a few mirrors (GS, Cutlass, Camaro...), and all were the same.

    And funny thing is this: 10 DMI 0 is correct date code for most 1971 cars! (October 1970)
     
  14. Duane

    Duane Member

    The "Fix" I have seen, is by using a small aftermarket worm-screw heater hose clamp. You put the 3 legs into the lower unit, then clamp it together. It works like a charm, and goes inside the door where no one can see it. On the repairs I have seen, the guys usually cut off the extra band and them wrap it in electrical tape.
    Duane
     
  15. Red Skylark

    Red Skylark Well-Known Member

    So whats my best option?
     
  16. Duane

    Duane Member

    "So whats my best option?"

    I typed it above.
    Either that of get an entire mirror assembly out of another Sport Mirror and install it in your painted housing.

    However, and this is very important, if you use another mirror assembly you need to make sure it is the correct sized unit. GM made Sport Mirrors that visually look the same but the mirror and upper housing parts are longer from side to side. What this means is if you try to install the "longer" mirror in the correct "smaller" housing it will not fit.
    Duane
     
  17. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Hey, Red Skylark, what is your location? Hint: update your profile. You might be next door to a good source of information and assistance, and not know it.

    Try compressing the ball into the barrel, and see if it can be removed. (I have a broken on the other end mirror that I'll try as well.) If successful, You can have the barrel for the cost of shipping alone. Don't know if this will even work, but the factory had to do it SOMEHOW...
     
  18. Red Skylark

    Red Skylark Well-Known Member

    Ok, updated my profile. I am located in Sumter South Carolina
     
  19. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    GOOD !!! I'm in Bennettsville, SC, and can come by to fix your mirror!!! If you have a vice, a 1/4"drive socket set with 9/32" socket, 1/4" socket, a small flat screwdriver in good condition, and a hobby knife. (If you have a vice, I can bring everything else.)
    I was able to get the "barrel" off my broken sport mirror, and can fix yours!

    See, If I had known that you were in Sumter, this issue would have been gone LONG ago...
    I'm retired, so my time is available...And I am CHEAP (Gas money)
    You will have to take your mirror off, obviously...
     
  20. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Funny thing that it becomes ME being the person to be the person of assistance and information...
     

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