Just about every time I close the driver door on my '69, the mirror shifts out of alignment. The mirror seems fairly tight on the ball, and adjusts smoothly, but won't stay put more than 2-3 door closures. Is there any way to tighten it, or maybe "super-glue" it on the ball once it's set where it should be? It is the original mirror assembly, and I'd rather not change it out for a reproduction. All ideas appreciated.

Just thinking out loud here........
Adjust it perfectly for you. Take it off the car and silver solder it. I worry about too much heat ....... But the solder wouldn't show. I've done this kind of thing before but never on a mirror or a real nice car. I put the portion of the piece I didn't want to get overheated in a shallow dish of water to keep it cool.
The problem I see with super glue is a lot of them are water soluable and it won't last. Thin mixed 2 part epoxy may do it. Tiny bead around the ball. If the mirror moves (hit it accidentally or after some slams) it may break the bond. Epoxy tends to be brittle.
Lot of help I am, huh?
Wait for some others to chime in. You'll get it eventually.
Good luck to you.
Randy

Just about every time I close the driver door on my '69, the mirror shifts out of alignment. The mirror seems fairly tight on the ball, and adjusts smoothly, but won't stay put more than 2-3 door closures. Is there any way to tighten it, or maybe "super-glue" it on the ball once it's set where it should be? It is the original mirror assembly, and I'd rather not change it out for a reproduction. All ideas appreciated.

Just keep dimpling the edges of the ball with a center punch. If you do it right the dimples will be hidden inside the mirror's ball socket.

Just thinking out loud here........
Adjust it perfectly for you. Take it off the car and silver solder it. I worry about too much heat ....... But the solder wouldn't show. I've done this kind of thing before but never on a mirror or a real nice car. I put the portion of the piece I didn't want to get overheated in a shallow dish of water to keep it cool.
The problem I see with super glue is a lot of them are water soluable and it won't last. Thin mixed 2 part epoxy may do it. Tiny bead around the ball. If the mirror moves (hit it accidentally or after some slams) it may break the bond. Epoxy tends to be brittle.
Lot of help I am, huh?
Wait for some others to chime in. You'll get it eventually.
Good luck to you.
Randy

I've tried the super glue/epoxy route on my passenger side mirror and Trophyman is spot-on. Due to the brittleness and an occasional bump, it doesn't hold long. I hope someone comes up with a singularly brilliant solution for the problem.

Just keep dimpling the edges of the ball with a center punch. If you do it right the dimples will be hidden inside the mirror's ball socket.

:yes: Yeah...I've done that before...works fine. Use a spring loaded, automatic center punch.

With you on this. Mine seem to give up at about 100MPH. Definitely coming down from a 115-117 mph run, I'd look over to see where the guy in the other lane is before making the turn at the end of the track, mirror is always pointing out into no-where.

Thanks to all for their ideas. Apparently, I'm not the only one with this dilemma. I think I will try the center punch suggestion. Will report back the results. As an afterthought, anyone think the ball would be too hard to centerpunch?

As an afterthought, anyone think the ball would be too hard to centerpunch?

Nope...punches easily.
Just move the mirror head to it's extreme travel limit in numerous directions while center punching the exposed perimeter of the ball.
You are effectively knurling the portion of the ball that resides in the mirror head socket.
The mirror on my '70 withstood speeds of 136+ mph. ;)

Nope...punches easily.
Just move the mirror head to it's extreme travel limit in numerous directions while center punching the exposed perimeter of the ball.
You are effectively knurling the portion of the ball that resides in the mirror head socket.

Thanks Bill, that was what I was trying to say.:D

I did use the spring loaded center punch to do it the way Bill stated to do, and it worked great for me. No more loose mirror.

I also tried the Loctite and it held good until the first time the mirrow was moved.

This seams to be a problem with just the repro mirrors, as I have never had this problem with a factory GM mirror.

BTW my mirrow was bought from OPGI

Update:
Removed the mirror from the door. Adjusted the ball on the mirror to it's limit and spring punched, readjusted the ball about 120 degress and punched again, and adjusted another 120 degrees and punched. Had 3 punch marks about every 1/3 way around the ball. Mirror is now nice and tight as new. :hurray:
Thanks to all for the advice.

:thumbsup:

My 66 mirror wont stay in place either so I need to do something like this as well. However, its getting pitted on the base and im considering replacing it.

Why, would you have to take it off? Could'nt you punch the ball from the top?

worked like a charm....this is great advise.....Thanks.....

I have a 1980 el camino with the joystick in the door. when I move the mirror with my hand instead of using the joystick, it will move everytime I close the door. If I use the joystick, it doesn';t move. hope that helps.

Just wanted to thank the posters who recommended using a spring loaded center punch to stop my stock mirror from moving out of position every time I slammed the door. Worked like a charm. The automatic center punch cost me 30 bucks, but what a great tool. I don't know how I got along without one to this point.