Driver Side Mirror Stuck

[RogerMilne]

I have read the owners manual and I don't think I'm missing any steps, but can someone tell me if this mirror is seized or am I missing a step.

I have attached 2 pics of the mirror, and from the manual I should be able to move the arm left or right by loosening the bolt on the bottom. Then I can make more adjustments of the mirror head when I loosen 2 allen set screws in the head attachment.

But no matter how much I try the arm is not budging. I've let it soak with PB Blaster for days and still nothing. I can remove the bottom bolt completely and the arm is not moving.

Did I miss something? or is it just seized from years of not moving??

Thanks

[Carl Boger]

 I have a similar looking mirror and once I loosen the bottom bolt several turns I can turn the arm to a different position.

I believe that the arm has a toothed socket that it fits in so it kind of locks it self into that position one tooth at a time, so you may need to tap up on the arm to dislodge it from its current position to rotate it to the nest one.

Hopefully this will make since to you.

[Bill Lampkin]

Call the mfg velvac, they will help you out

[Joel Ashley]

A few years ago I had to drill out a frozen Allen screw that was keeping the mast from turning.  It took days of patience, PB Blaster, an etching tool’s vibrations, and drilling care to get the rusted-in screw out.

I’m not sure from your photos if it’s the same Velvacs since I can’t see such screw covers, but they otherwise look the same as mine, or very similar.  If they’re the same, did you remove the plugs and try backing the Allen’s away from the shaft?  The original plugs have slots but care must be taken with a screwdriver.  I ended up at Ace Hardware getting pop-in (not screw-in) hole plugs as replacements, after repairing the frozen Allen situation.  The replacement plugs aren’t rustproof over time, but don’t cost much, so I got backups.

Joel

[RogerMilne]

I have a similar looking mirror and once I loosen the bottom bolt several turns I can turn the arm to a different position.

I believe that the arm has a toothed socket that it fits in so it kind of locks it self into that position one tooth at a time, so you may need to tap up on the arm to dislodge it from its current position to rotate it to the nest one.

Hopefully this will make since to you.

I didn't try and push up, only rotating the arm. I'll give that a try thanks!!

[RogerMilne]

A few years ago I had to drill out a frozen Allen screw that was keeping the mast from turning.  It took days of patience, PB Blaster, an etching tool’s vibrations, and drilling care to get the rusted-in screw out.

I’m not sure from your photos if it’s the same Velvacs since I can’t see such screw covers, but they otherwise look the same as mine, or very similar.  If they’re the same, did you remove the plugs and try backing the Allen’s away from the shaft?  The original plugs have slots but care must be taken with a screwdriver.  I ended up at Ace Hardware getting pop-in (not screw-in) hole plugs as replacements, after repairing the frozen Allen situation.  The replacement plugs aren’t rustproof over time, but don’t cost much, so I got backups.

Joel

Good to know. I haven't seen any screws to remove the cover around the arm mount at the body. So I'll have to investigate whether or not the cover is removable.

[Joel Ashley]

It’s possible yours isn’t designed the same.  Any Allen screw port covers would be obvious, as is seen in my images.  Tap pix to enlarge;  the ports/covers are on either side of the name, “Velvac”.  The covers simply unscrew a bit via their driver slots.  The Allen screws inside lock the arm in position… especially if they corrode in place .

You might check Velvac’s site for further info, or as Bill alludes to, call for advice, or to find your specific model’s configuration.

Joel