I had the left, passenger side, outside mirror break and the swivel next to the door. Called ValVec and they want way TOOOO much for a new one. $537 and that is only 1 not both!!!!
So in looking at it, seems that the pot metal casting could be welded via this special rod and hand torch. Bought some of this at the San Antonio Rodeo exhibitor. Have not tried it yet but looks like might be possible. ValVec says NO SERVICABLE PARTS and spring has 450 PSI thrust against the washer that pushes down over the end of the pot metal that broke.
So my question is (1) has anyone repaired one of these mirrors?
(2) does anyone know of one off a salvage unit?
I ended up buying what was supposed to be a used one from Quality Parts on line...well, they shipped me a short little mirror for an E-450 Van....not a 102" wide MH. They did not want to take it back...said they shipped what I had asked for. NOT TRUE...I shipped it back and waiting for arrival and refund!
RUBY 2, 04' Born Free 24RB
37 CKSLS Cameo by Carriage
'08 Ford F450 Crew Cab 4x4 Dually 6.4Diesel
4.88 Gears AT, SCTLivewire
B&W Companion hitch
I'm a BSG'er!! Only 3 RULES:
Have a "B", Had a "B", or Want a "B"!!
Had the same thing happen with the passenger side mirror on our Minnie. I bought the new one from Ryder Fleet Products.
If you decide to buy a new mirror, don't throw out the old one before you install the new. My new mirror didn't come with the wiring connector and I had to use the connector from the old one and solder the wires to the connector. I took pictures showing how I got the door trim panel off and connected the wires, so if you want to see them, send me a PM.
I doubt that you can fix the old mirror pivot. That's a heavy duty spring they have in there.
What is the model number of the mirror, is it electric or manual? How about a picture of it. I have a pair of manual Vel-Vac mirrors i took off my Winni when i upgraded to electric.
Electric and heated, plus split with lower manual. Want to keep each side the same so will look for electric, heated and split mirror. I will keep the old mirror as the head with mirrors in it are good. Just not sure how you change only the mirror head. However, that is not my problem now. I have the door panel off and thank you for the pic. offer.
I will try the weld job...but not hoping too much on it. Seems funny they make that part out of pot metal. It sure could be made of steel but realize it would never wear out!!!! LOL
You might check with RV selvage yards to locate one. It's amazing how many parts these places have and everything is computerized so a part can be located quickly. We found some parts at an auto selvage yard for an older Toyota car that was stripped several years ago at a storage facility. One of the parts was a side mirror. There are several large RV selvage yards, too.
The Midwest would probably be the best place to find Born Free parts. I'd probably have a heck of a time finding part out here for mine.
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
6.8L Ford V-10 Engine, E450 Chassis
2002 Honda CR-V toad
Roadmaster Sterling A/T towbar
VIP braking system
Eddyline Merlin kayak
I have spent hours and hours on the Internet searching and searching every place I can think of. That is where I ended up with Quality Parts which in the end shipped a completely different part and then tried to tell me I ORDERED the WRONG PART as they do NO AFTERMARKET mirrors and the one shipped would fit my Ford. It would but you would not see anything from it except the bugs on the enlarged part of the MH behindthe cutaway section. I had it wrong in my earlier post it is a 96" wide unit. Not 102". That seems to be the MOST Expensive one! Only a 13" arm c to c.
YES, that is ME...I got the mirror fixed. Cost a total of $80!!!
I took the mirror off the MH and then took the "shaft" off, has 4 cap screws, then took that part to a body shop with lathe and he was able to tool the spool and then fitted it down through the now drilled out center. Spot welded it to the bottom and now I had a new shaft and cut groove for the "spring" retainer to be pushed down over and lock the spring in place. Took a speedy bolt and put down the center of the shaft and put a nut on the lower side. There is an opening where the wire comes out of that is able to be use. Then put a large dia. pipe, short piece, over the spring retainer and then with the ready bolt or speedy bolt put on a nut that was turned tight till the pipe pushed the spring retainer down and it snapped into the groove.
SO...it IS possible to fix the mirrors!!!!! Why they do not sell that spindle is, well, they do not have to and they make more selling mirrors. It is SO simple to compress the spring and set the spring retainer. That is what the company said could not be done!
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YES, that is ME...I got the mirror fixed. Cost a total of $80!!!
