Side Mirror Vibration?

[KP Texan]

Let me start by saying that I picked up my pre-owned '06 4Runner this weekend and it seems to be the most solid SUV I've ever driven. I pretty much love everything about it, other than one 12V outlet in front!

One thing I noticed is that my driver side mirror has an annoying vibration while driving. It's an annoying in the sense that the image in the mirror is constantly moving, making it a bit more difficult to see. Is there a way to tighten up this mirror assembly so that it doesn't do this? I'm not quite sure if its the glass or the whole housing and my passenger side mirror doesn't seem to do it as bad (which may be due to the distance that I sit from the mirror).

Thanks so much for the help,

Wes

 

[smokey7722]

Let me start by saying that I picked up my pre-owned '06 4Runner this weekend and it seems to be the most solid SUV I've ever driven. I pretty much love everything about it, other than one 12V outlet in front!

One thing I noticed is that my driver side mirror has an annoying vibration while driving. It's an annoying in the sense that the image in the mirror is constantly moving, making it a bit more difficult to see. Is there a way to tighten up this mirror assembly so that it doesn't do this? I'm not quite sure if its the glass or the whole housing and my passenger side mirror doesn't seem to do it as bad (which may be due to the distance that I sit from the mirror).

Thanks so much for the help,

Wes

I'd guess your passenger mirror is doing it almost as much as your driver mirror but due to distance you don't notice. Mine both do it too. Its not a HUGE amount of movement but even a millimeter in both directions is a lot when you are driving and need that image its reflecting to be stable. I've checked mine multiple times and its nice and tight though.

 

[KP Texan]

Well I went for a drive with the window open and held the mirror. It's actually the whole mirror housing that is vibrating and not just the glass. What keeps this housing tight on its mount (where it pivots)?

Thanks,

Wes

 

[KP Texan]

Anyone have an answer to this? I was checking this out and the driver mirror is noticeably more loose than the passenger side. Is there any way to tighten the mirror at its folding pivot point?

Thanks so much,

Wes

 

[eskimochaos]

Anyone have an answer to this? I was checking this out and the driver mirror is noticeably more loose than the passenger side. Is there any way to tighten the mirror at its folding pivot point?

Thanks so much,

Wes

I have noticed the same thing; however, it only occurs when there is a crosswind or just windy conditions in general. I have driven 100 w/ no wind and the mirrors havent moved.

I also notice that its only in the driver side as well.

 

[KP Texan]

With mine it happens no matter what the wind is like.

Thanks,

Wes

 

[KP Texan]

So judging by the lack of information on tightening up the mirror, that may not be a user serviceable component. The FSM I downloaded only shows how to remove and install the mirror so that may be the case or I simply don't have the complete FSM. If that's the case, looks like I may have to purchase a new side mirror to fix it. Anyone know how much a new side mirror costs and do they come painted?

Thanks so much,

Wes

 

[KB084RUNNER]

Mine do it too but only when the wind is behind you.

 

[RickC]

My Sequioa used to do that. I found two number two phillips screws at the bottom of the mirror housing and I tighted these up and the problem was fixed. It returned again after 6 months though, but I found the screws loose again. I then bought lock washers from the hardware store and removed the screws one at a time, added the lock washer, tightened them back up, never a problem again. I am not sure if the 4runner works the same way, but stand on your head and look up at the bottom of the mirror housing and see if there are screws.

BTW, mine only did this on the driver side. I never had any trouble with the passenger side. I figured it was because the driver door was used more and closing it caused the screws to work loose over time.

 

[KP Texan]

Was there a cap or anything covering the screws? I don't remember screws being there (I may not have looked close enough) but I'll take a look when I get home from work.

Thanks so much,

Wes

 

[RickC]

No there is no cover over them, but they were recessed. But like I said, mine was a Sequoia and they may be made different.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

so, after detailing my rig tonight, I noticed the passenger mirror assembly is loose...drivers side is tight...has anyone come up with a way to tighten these? I have already spun the mirror in and out and cannot see a screw or adjustment...please advise.

 

[Jetfixr]

mirror vibe

I had a mirror vibrating and found that the mirror was actually broken, nothing to tighten up. Sucks $300 for a new Toyota one. Good luck.
Jet

 

[4runner_2006]

damn it!! I have the same issue on both by mirrors, 2006 with 66k on it.. annoying as hell

 

[djj1973]

Same exact problem here as KP Texan. I looked closely and do not see any screws. Something has to be loose somewhere. Anybody with any other ideas ?

DJJ

 

[R.Kipling]

If you're talking about the whole outside mirror assembly being loose, I've had the same problem. The securing bolts are on the inside of the door frame behind the black wing cover. It's the same cover that trims out the small in-door radio speaker, if you have one. If not, it's the cover at the lower forward corner of the window where it meets the door trim panel.

The small black triangle shaped cover just pops out when you pull it out and down from the top. The two 10mm bolts can then be tightened and the cover replaced. It's one of the most simple fixes I've experienced with my 4Runner.

I hope this helps.

Kip

 

[4Runner8]

mine did it too. even with a new driver mirror cause i ripped it off not paying attention (oops) it was a factory replacement toyota product, and even the new one rattled, seemed more then passenger and it was brand new.... maybe distance like stated on first page. i think you just gotta live with it

 

[CXS]

Kip's right, very easy to remove. On my '05 Limited the mirrors are help on by 3 10mm nuts. You have to pull the door panel out a bit to get a wrench in but all you have to pop is one fastener. Just give a small tug and the fastener pops right out.

I'm experimenting with 4" round mirrors in place of the huge stock mirrors. I find the stock too big and interfere with fprward visibility. Not a big deal on the pavement but they really suck on the rocks.

 

[jrich523]

I have the same problem with my driver side. its just a problem with the glass/motor... if i press on the driver side glass there is a good amount of play with little effort.. on the passenger side i can press it pretty hard without it budging much... i moved the mirror in all directions to see if i can see if there could be something loose but there is a rubber boot from the back of the mirror to the motor so i assume its a problem with the motor or something within that boot. not sure i want to brave ripping it off yet... its used and i just got this car (ps, first post, hi )

since i just got this i was thinking about having the dealer take care of it, not so sure i can convince them to fix it though.

 

[CAD_GA1390]

hey! mine does this too, but thats because of bumping the 12" in the back :biggrin2: hope you find the problem, id look for screws on the bottom as well, or pivot the mirror, cause they often get hit by people in parking lots and such, making them seem loose.