68 Stock mirror Install "HELP"

[54blackhornet]

Thanks to the people on this site I found the small backer plate needed to reinstall the passenger side mirror on my 68 GMC. Got a set of SS screws and new rubber gasket from Brothers and tried to put it on yesterday ? Boy what a PiTA job that is ? What is the trick to getting a screw in the backer, while at the same time holding the mirror arm, gasket and screw ? And I forgot using your other arm to go up inside the door to hold the backer in place ? How the hell did some guy do this at the factory all day long ? ........
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[MSHax]

Luckily I did mine at the same time I did my upgrade to power windows so everything was out anyway. Still ended up with the cuts across my arm from reaching inside the door. I'm going to a different style mirror, so I was thinking this time I'll just get a fat metal screw and screw it in with some lock-tight.

Hopefully someone answers that has a better option than the dreaded sticking your arm in the door method I used.

[SwitchHappyAutoLLC]

It is a little bit easier if you have 1 of your buddies hold morror while your hand is in the door but vent window being removed helps out it is only 5 screws

[54blackhornet]

I tried doing it with the wife ? That did not work at all and I am 6'4 with long arms ?
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[Mister-B]

I've done something similar before, but I managed to keep the backing plate in place by doing a juggling act of keeping a screw in place and a long screw driver through one hole, while I one by one replaced them and put the new mirror in place. The whole time I kept thinking what a giant paint it would be if that bracket fell down inside. Where you're replacing a missing mirror after the fact, that's what you're dealing with. I'd try using some JB Weld on the inside of the bracket (making sure it's lined up) to stick it to the inside of the door while you get the mirror screwed in.
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[54blackhornet]

I will keep at it till I get one started, the other ones will be easy! Another time when Houdini would help ........
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[c10boob]

Fishing line + wife. It took a few tries but it works!

[jim ellis]

What I did was put some strip caulk(dumb dumb)on mirror plate before putting in inside. Beging careful it will hold plate in place so mirror can be replaced.It worked for me anyway









Jim Ellis
69 c-10

[54blackhornet]

Thanks to all who added a tip, it is a dumb question I know ? But you go and try it, it's a small, but time consuming little thing that gets thrown your way as you put it back together,.....l
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[71K20chevy]

The only way I could do it was a second person. Duct tape kind of worked, until I tried to thread the screw in. (Why isn't the plate threaded too?!?!)