Driver side mirror loose-adjustment?

Hey,
I noticed my driver side mirror on my 2007 Tacoma is kind of wobbly. I looked under it and saw a exposed screw in a recessed hole, but it doesn't want to tighten. There is a little cover near there that looks like it pops off, but I don't want to break it if it isn't meant to open.

Does anyone know if that is how I get to the adjustment screw, or perhaps know why it would wobble? I am saying the actual mirror housing is moving loosely, not the glass inside. My passenger side mirror is tight.

Thanks,
Michael S.

 

IIRC, there is a small cover on the inside of the door. Pop it off and tighten the nuts.

 

Depends on what's wobbling. If the base is wobbling, that part that actually attaches to the truck, then follow skytower's suggestion and tighten those bolts. The plastic piece on the inside of the door just pulls off. Make sure you pull the plastic clips out also, install them onto the plastic trim piece before pressing back into the door (it'll make sense when you see it). If you just press the trim piece back in place with the plastic clips still in the door, the clips just get pressed into the door and you have to fish them out.

If the base is solid and it's just the mirror housing wobbling on the base, there are 3 bolts that hold the mirror to the base. There are the 2 that are exposed, and there is another under that plastic flap. Use a flathead screwdriver to pop the plastic cap off and you'll see another bolt underneath.

 

Yep, it is loose where the mirror attaches to the body mount. I will try to fix this weekend. I can't imagine how it came loose on its own???
Cheers.

 

Same thing happened to my truck. It's a 2011 with less than 10k miles. Driver mirror loose. Need to tighten torx screws on outside bottom of mirror. 1 is exposed, 2 are hidden under the plastic cover. I've tightened before and heads kinda got rounded out. Need to tighten again and I'm afraid screws will strip. Can't buy screws separate from entire housing. Junk!

 

Bump!
Yeah, shit happens. Sounds like you used the wrong size torx wrench the first time, doh!

Anybody know what size wrench that is? I tightened mine a couple of years ago and now it’s loose again. I moved since and can’t find my torx wrench set. Called Toyota and the “kid” was clueless on what size torx wrench to use. I’m about to buy another set of torx wrenches but would rather just buy two if anybody happens to know the “two” size wrenches it takes. The screws under the plastic cap are different size than the one on the outside of the cap.

 

Well, if anybody runs across this issue, the Torx bolt size wrench is T20. I was wrong in my above post, all bolts are the same size. Even a T20 was a little loose so be very careful not to strip the head of the bolt. I asked a parts store if I could borrow their store use Torx wrench set, they obliged. Sure beats buying another set when I know I have a set somewhere I can’t find after a recent move.

 

I have a 98 tacoma and the passenger mirror came off.. (my fault ) I opened the panel to reattch it and noticed 1 10mm bolt head, and 2 phillips head screws that were used to hold mirror in place. I tried to tighten but could only get 1 of them to snug down. anyone know what the bolt size is supposed to be? also wondering if i could use some locktight or silicon to help the screws/bolts to get a better hold ? thanks!

 

Just fixed mine on 05 with 250k on the clock. Carefully pop off the little cover under the mirror. There are 2 screws/bolts inside. On mine both the screws closest to the truck were tight, but both the outside screws were about a half turn loose. Both are torn T25's on mine.

 

Yes, I did this periodically over a years time. Every month became every week and then totally done, stripped. I took the mirror off with intentions of an easy fix, which there isn’t. Took the mirror to Toyota and talked to a couple of the mechanics. They said once it’s at that point there is no fixing it. A new mirror is in order. Now another problem. Toyota stopped selling painted mirrors after so many years. Only black could be had. There are companies that sell painted ones if you send them a good mirror. I ordered a black drivers side powered mirror but it showed up as a passenger side. It was packaged wrong. At that point I had my dealer search the country again and I was lucky that they found a Toyota dealer in AZ had one was a special order return drivers side painted in white. My Toyota dealer snatched it up for me and gave me a discount. I then had my buddy who owns a body shop paint it silver.

This all went down a year or so ago. I now noticed my passenger side mirror has loosened up. I’m sure it will be the same scenario of tightening it on occasion until it’s toast as well. Maybe this one I’ll try the Loctite thread trick.

 

[QUOTE="This all went down a year or so ago. I now noticed my passenger side mirror has loosened up. I’m sure it will be the same scenario of tightening it on occasion until it’s toast as well. Maybe this one I’ll try the Loctite thread trick.[/QUOTE]
Well this is my first time in 17 years, if they loosen up again I'll replace them and locktite em in like you suggest.

 

Yes, that little door opens, and has a screw inside that needs to be tightened to keep the mirro from moving. I have an 08 and have needed to tighten it a few times over the years. Just be careful opening that little door so you don't scratch the paint. I don't recall the size of the Torx screw, but think it's a T20, or something close to that.

 

Well after dealing with my drivers side mirror [read my above lengthy post] now my passenger side mirror is starting to loosen up. I’ve had one tightening so far. If it becomes loose again I’m going down the Locktite thread locker gopher hole before it ends up stripped like my drivers side one did. Full mirror replacement and repaint with that deal. And trust me you don’t want it to get to that point. There’s no fix after that other than a full mirror replacement. Toyotas worse design were these mirrors. There’s no taking the mirror apart snd fixing it from the inside, it’s trash at that point.

 

Just fixed mine!!! No way gona buy new mirrors unless I had to you knida have to buy 2 years of fade wont match. I stuffed Mighty Putty in the 2 holes under the cover cap then screwed the bolts back good as new doesnt wobble anymore.

My 2005 recalled tighten the driver side maybe 3x. This time it finally stripped. I didnt take the mirror apart from inside A pilar. Just the 1 bolt showing and 2 under the cap. When I removed those I could lift up the mirror and you will see another screw that holds metal plate (this screw was half way lose). I took that screw out and plate came down you will see how the 2 screws under the cap are attached. They are attached to plastic so eventually over time it will loosen/strip. Ive manually folded in the mirror and bumped to garage so that could cuz it. Anyway, filled these holes with some plastic epoxy/glue and screw back on quickly. Let dry it should harden I had some might putty left over from projects years ago hopefully this stuff hardens and locks the bolt in.

 

Keep me updated on here on how that works for your. My passenger side mirror may need it some day.
And by the way a good painter can match a faded paint job. My 2006 believe it or not doesn’t show much if any fade. My buddy painted my new drivers side mirror and it matches perfectly.

 

I tightened both mirrors twice with a T20 in the last 4 years. Not anymore. My mechanic also said I have to replace them. They are available at Amazon. But my mechanic thinks I should get them from Toyota.com. Any thoughts?

 

Have you tried taking the screws out and using Loctite on them? That might save you a bunch of money.

 

Thank you! I will try that before I replace them.

 

If you plan to replace your mirror with “K source” brand, think again. I recently replaced my K source brand mirror from etrailer. It did not fit well and is giving me whistling sound when I drive. My mechanic says next time always go with Toyota brand. Currently I am dealing with K source company. They do give 90-day warranty.

Don’t know what they are going to do. Another Tacoma customer from Walmart is experiencing the same.