Ijust received new door mirrors from Mid America. Thought it would be a 10 minute job. The original mirrors can be put on in 5 minutes. The new mirror (made in Taiwan, should have been my first clue) will not go on. I have tryed putting in the allen screw off the car, no problem. On the car I cannot get it to thread or even go in enough to grab the thread. I have tried using the new hardware and the original hardware. No luck. The original mirrors will go back obn in no time flat. Any one have any experience with this?
Reid '72 T-top

Call Mid-America, or send them back. You can find originals, and if not NOS, get used re-chromed. I don't know about that Tiawan metal. Can you get your original pieces re-chromed? If it is a $100 apiece, it is worth it. Can you re-tap or use a longer screw ?

I Called Mid America and got a return authorization, no questions asked. Told them the problem and they took care of me. I then called a friend of mine who is a Chevy parts manager and ordered them through GM Restoration. The price was actually the same as what I paid at Mid America, when you included the shipping. We'll see how it goes with these.........
Stay tuned,
Reid '72 T-top

VNCRUISER said: I Called Mid America and got a return authorization, no questions asked. Told them the problem and they took care of me. I then called a friend of mine who is a Chevy parts manager and ordered them through GM Restoration. The price was actually the same as what I paid at Mid America, when you included the shipping. We'll see how it goes with these......... Stay tuned, Reid '72 T-top

I will be eager to hear how this went. I've heard the GM mirrors are also "imported" I was quoted a lot of money (150-200) bucks to re-chrome my original mirror, and I would need to remove the glass first. They said it would be high because of pitting.

Rechroming is one thing, but can you buy a rebuild kit to replace the little ball-do-hickey-thing that the top part of mirror sits and turns on??

With a lot of patience and a little finesse you can grind off the rivets holding the pressure plate against the ball, then drill and tap for small socket heat cap screws. I'm still trying to figure out a way to make a tool to remove the ball from the mirror post.

Since you returned the mirrors and have ordered from GM Restoration this might be irrelevent. I recently installed a pair of the large head replacement side rear view mirrors on my 72. I experienced the same issue due to a mis-alignment in the mounting holes that sandwich the tab on the mounting base. I needed to gently file (small rat-tail file)the hole where the allen head bolt sets in order to get it to align and tighten. About 3 minutes per side, once i figured out what the issue was. Mirrors now feel tight and have improved my view of things that I have passed, once I solve my brake issues.

NJ BB Ken





|UPDATED|7/29/2004 9:20:13 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I bought my replacement mirrors from Paragon and got the correct date code on the glass. I bought their quality ones.

To "tighten up" the head, position it as want and apply three or four drops of a thin super glue. The mirror can be repositioned later be it will require some effort.

Roger

Just got a call today that my mirrors are in but since I have to work this weekend I won't be able to pick them up for a week! I'll post what I find once I attempt to install them.
Also, Ken, did you have to file the upper part or lower part the the entire opening on the door mount bracket.
Don't touch that dial!!!!
Reid '72 T-top

OK! I got the GM Restoration mirrors today and they went right on just like the originals. No muss no fuss.
The cost was only $7.00 more than the mirrors from Mid America.
A Happy Camper
Reid '72 T-top