Screw This!?

Hello TW! This is from the large side mirror(electric)on my ‘04 PreRunner. Does this screw do anything other than rust and look bad? What is its function?

 

Im sure its in there for some reason...take it to the hardware store and match up a stainless one

 

Probably ensures the two sides of the plastic don't separate over time from vibration

 

Its primary design is to rust and leave a brown shit trail down your mirror and door, my third generation 4runner did the same thing.

Try to clean it up as best as you can and spray it with some rust resistant paint.

 

No function. Toyota had extras, so they figured they'd put one there just to rust.

 

Thats the Post Of The Day right there...

 

I try to be positive, I really do...is it Friday already?

 

Why did you pull it out?

 

That’s what she…

nevermind.

 

Nobody Everybody loves a gratuitous screw.

 

Thanks for everyone’s input! Is anyone else obsessed with replacing old OEM screws and nuts/bolts with new OEM ones like me? I have found many on EBay and used TPD website to cross reference part #’s and find the right one at a fraction of the price. I just can’t find this one. Tried the wire brush and black oxide concentrate(didn’t work for me), found an exact looking one at the local hardware in black oxide but the thread pattern didn’t match, maybe look for a stainless one and paint it flat black or just paint this one and call it a day.

 

Screws on both mirrors were rusted and unsightly, been trying to find new ones but no luck. Cleaned and treated them already but I just want to know what they actually do. Anybody…

 

Fixed it! Now I don’t have to see the ugly screw heads and it makes for a cleaner look. BECAUSE THATS HOW I LIKE IT!

 

2003 FSM just shows the unit and how it attaches to the door. I took one apart once but can't recall. If I had to guess, it's going to go into the back of the electric mechanism mount inside the mirror housing and is intended to hold the outer plastic.

 

Thanks for the knowledge, knew they did something just didn’t want to look at em anymore.