Drivers side mirror become loose.

I’ve got a 2006 Tacoma that suddenly after all these years has a lose drivers side mirror. I tightened the two screws under the plastic cap on the bottom side of the mirror but it becomes lose again within two weeks. I’m tempted to use lock tight on the threads. Any better solution out there besides buying a new truck?

 

why wouldn't you use locktite? i would

 

That's what I plan on doing. Just throwing this out there to see if this has happened to others and what they did to fix it. Sure is weird I’ve had this 2006 truck since new and now all of a sudden the mirror loosens up and continues to loosen up only weeks after tightening.

 

I’m in the same boat with my ‘06. I’ve just learned to live with it. I’m open to suggestions too.

 

Loc-tite or get some small flat washers with a nylon locking nut.. Those whiz- lock nuts work great but once they start to wear or can't bite into the metal anymore because it's been chewed up from the nut going on and off, they won't work as well.

 

Strange that once it initially became lose 16 years into its life it continually comes lose a week later after being tightened. If this is my only complaint with this model truck after 187K. I guess I can live with it.

 

That’s how I’m leaning. I haven’t had any problems that aren’t wear items. When it comes down to it, a couple minutes every couple weeks isn’t so bad. I may try harder to fix it if it really begins to bug me.

 

Ahh…screw it! I’m gonna run with the threadlocker tip. I’ll let you know how the blue loctite works.

 

Use vibra-tite works better on hardware going into plastic and is removable.

$28 Vibra-TITE VC-3 Threadmate, 30 ml Bottle with Brush Cap Applicator,Red,213

https://www.amazon.com/Vibra-TITE-T...t=&hvlocphy=1021048&hvtargid=pla-312770605137

 

Yikes! Great tip but $28 a bottle.

 

Goes a pretty long way, great for classic motorcycle carb set screws, it turns gummy rather than drying out and getting brittle like lock tite and won't effect plastics like the solvents in lock tite can.

 

I had a similar issue and ended up having to replace the mirror. The issue was due to one of the torx screws being stripped out.

Couldn’t take the mirror flopping forward and backwards while driving and braking.

 

Do you remember how much a new mirror cost? If not I’ll check with Toyota.
And do they come body color keyed? I’ve got the Sport package.

 

$750 ea IIRC or something equally ridiculous when I had to replace mine from trail damage, went with aftermarket ones for $150/pair but not colored or blinkers.

 

$118 and then had to get the cover color matched. They all come grey now if you have to match. If your cover is still fine and clear coat isn’t shot then you could find a cheaper one and just swap out the covers.

 

If you decided to take it apart this video is the one I followed.

https://youtu.be/hAqjBpJSryk

 

This is interesting stuff. Very popular in the firearms community. Tiny sample came with optics for sons rifle.
Unlike loc tite you apply and use while wet with this stuff you coat the threads and let dry before assembling.
Forms sort of a rubbery coating that supposedly isolates the fastener from vibration and thus loosening. And once applied it can be left as is indefinitely.

This might resolve the issue of reducing torque when using loctite since VC3 isnt a liquid or lubricant when used???

https://www.vibra-tite.com/vc-3-threadmate-overview-video/

seems pricey but looks like a bottle last a long time.

Have to add it may not be appropriate for any engine/transmission fasteners since its temp range only goes as high as 165F