How can I bend a peep mirror arm without breaking it?

[shew01]

I bought a set of these, but they don’t adjust far enough to see traffic for me.

How can I bend the peep mirror arm to allow easier viewing without breaking it?


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[Sunny the Model A]

I bought a set of these, but they don’t adjust far enough to see traffic for me.

How can I bend the peep mirror arm to allow easier viewing without breaking it?


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if aren't worried about looks so much you can heat it up with a torch then bend it, then you can paint it with chrome paint if need be.

 

[mleder]

You will not be able to make any appreciable bend. The item is made out of zinc die cast (pot metal) it will break. Maybe try to shim the mounting so you create an angle , alternative go to an auto parts store and get a stick on fish eye mirror and place it on top of the existing mirror

 

[JayJay]

If you are careful, you can get the travel you need by bending the sheet metal of the mirror back to allow the stem to travel farther. Don't try to bend the arm, it will likely break!

As an alternative, consider hinge pin mirrors. I like them much better than the door clamp mirror you show.

 

[shew01]

If you are careful, you can get the travel you need by bending the sheet metal of the mirror back to allow the stem to travel farther. Don't try to bend the arm, it will likely break!

As an alternative, consider hinge pin mirrors. I like them much better than the door clamp mirror you show.

Thanks for the suggestion. The previous owner had a hinge pin mirror to go with the car, and he aborted putting it in because he didn’t want it mess up the nice paint job.

The restoration was done in the sixties, and fhat hinge pin is likely going to be a demon to remove.


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[ronn]

just buy a diff mirror that works..............

 

[Y-Blockhead]

Those peep mirrors are not any easier on the paint. I think a hinge mirror is your best option.
Heating and bending is a really bad idea.

 

[Sunny the Model A]

agreed, just take the clamp mirror to the next swap meet. the hinge pin mirrors work well. i put a bug eye mirror from a go kart on the hinge pin mirror bracket. works great and no one is the wiser. since i have a truck the black mirror and black bracket matches and looks normal.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

I installed chrome plated Model A Truck mirror (5" diameter) heads on my hinge pin mirrors (from United Pacific) on my Town Sedan. It is amazing what a difference 1" makes.

 

[JayJay]

I installed a 4” stick on fisheye truck mirror (from the river store) on my right mirror, it makes a tremendous difference.

 

[CarlG]

I've got 6" Convex mirrors on hinge pin arms on both sides of my '31 CCPU. Couldn't ask for anything better.

 

[ModelA29]

File the side that contacts the door on an angle until it gets to where you want it.

 

[JayJay]

Thanks for the suggestion. The previous owner had a hinge pin mirror to go with the car, and he aborted putting it in because he didn’t want it mess up the nice paint job.

The restoration was done in the sixties, and fhat hinge pin is likely going to be a demon to remove.


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Shew - with the right tool (https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/searchm.htm?type=merged&sterm=&searcht=hinge+pin+tool) getting the pin out isn't difficult. I have one of these for standard Model A hinges, and I made a set of modified jaws for the larger Slant Window hinge pins.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

Thing is, over time, the pin gets ridges worn in it (similar to my sketch) that catch when pressing it out. Last ones I did I used a small air hammer to sorta "jiggle" it out. Worked great.

 

[Russ B]

Getting a mirror to provide a good rear view can be difficult on a model A, particularly for the right side. For my cabriolet, I ended up making custom mirror arms to solve the viewing problem. It may be an extreme response, but it worked as needed. The wood masters were used to cast new brass arms which were further shaped, fitted, polished and plated. The mirrors available on the market often work on the driver’s side, but not on the passenger side.

 

[katy]

Using a coupling nut to extend the mounting stud on the back of the mirror works.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

Getting a mirror to provide a good rear view can be difficult on a model A, particularly for the right side. For my cabriolet, I ended up making custom mirror arms to solve the viewing problem. It may be an extreme response, but it worked as needed. The wood masters were used to cast new brass arms which were further shaped, fitted, polished and plated. The mirrors available on the market often work on the driver’s side, but not on the passenger side.

Russ, I remember when you shared that with us. Your mirror arms came out real nice!

 

[Bick in New Zealand]

I used those mirrors on my coupe, and was not particularly happy, as they vibrated and moved, and the view was not that great. I ended up buying these, and using the heads on the original arms. I now have great vision on both sides. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1152322392...AlzPV9vsXUDlHvAdmzk42/aQY=|tkp:Bk9SR77j-sisZQ

 

[Bob Bidonde]

Instead of bending the pot metal arm, add a parabolic mirror onto it. I did this to both side mirrors and it works very well to eliminate blind spots.

 

[JRrev]

Don't think that is a peep mirror which usually attaches to a drip rail and is also useless. I'm using clamp-on mirrors from a street rod parts vendor with arms curved more to be able to see.