[Ohiospider1975]

Does anyone know how to remove the rear view mirror stalk (mine has the electrical map lights) so I can tighten the screws behind it which hold it to the windshield frame? Mine is a mat black color and the screws are loose, so it hangs. I cannot figure how to twist it or turn it so it pops off from a grey insert that holds it against the windshield framing. I am writing concerning the stalk of the mirror, not the mirror which swivels on the stalk. Somehow this must come off, so the screw heads can be reached and tightened. Then I imagine it is fitted back on the grey backing plate.

 

[Davy13]

Ya just gotta grab it and it will break off like a leg 'o turkey.

It takes a bit of a leap of faith, but grab it as though you are reaching into the car from the top, so that your fingers are under the stalk, and firmly 'break' it upwards, using the top of the windshield as the 'fulcrum.' This is how it works on my S2 (I have the light in mine). When it comes loose, it will be with enough force for you to think that it literally broke off, but have no fear. It simply snaps back into place, as well. It seems barbaric, but that is how it works... With the lights, a pair of needle nose pliars will allow you to 'unplug' the wires... I would take this time to disassemble the mirror, and wipe clean the mirror, glass, etc. They really clean up nicely.

 

[Farace]

When you go to snap it back in place, don't just try to press it onto the snap, which could flex and crack the windshield (the PO of my car did just that). Have the top open, and squeeze the mount back into place from both sides.

 

[Ohiospider1975]

Davy13 & Farce,
You were both very descriptively accurate and the stalk snapped off the circular mount correctly using your method (upward pull like a turkey leg). Yes it is a leap of faith. Screws holding mirror to windshield frame are accessed underneath and easily tightened. I greased the circular mount stubb before attempting reattachment. We will see as summer sun heats the stalk whether I get any seepage of grease. I didn't want to break the windshield reattaching the mirror.

 

[Davy13]

I'm no doctor, but I always felt the mirror removal/replacement was probably similar to popping in someone's dislocated shoulder. Either it works without a hitch, or it really, really fouls things up. Glad it worked OK for you, though...

 

[Ohiospider1975]

I was very very concerned since the driver side screw was about 1/4 inch loose and I was thinking I would create the moment around the screw back and windshield mount, twisting the screw through the sheet metal. But, it went just like you stated. I am taking it off again so I can photograph how it looks. I will post the photo here for future mirror-venturers.

 

[Ohiospider1975]

See photo of mirror disassembled

 

[podio]

Me 2

Thanks for this info, the rearview mirror was driving me crazy, and I could not find the way to remove, after this article I fixed it in 20 minutes. Thanks Davy13

 

[6alfas]

My wires were cut as well. Were bullet connectors used to plug into the back of the mirror? Anyone have a picture? Lucas type or something else?

 

[Tom Frasca]

hmmmm...

 

[divotandtralee]

FWIW.. the mirror is designed (almost all cars of the era) that way as a safety feature. If you really are afraid of messing with it and breaking something drive on down to your local windshield guy and slip him a couple scratch tickets to take it off and put it on. They all are attached in the same manner.

 

[6alfas]

FWIW.. the mirror is designed (almost all cars of the era) that way as a safety feature. If you really are afraid of messing with it and breaking something drive on down to your local windshield guy and slip him a couple scratch tickets to take it off and put it on. They all are attached in the same manner.

I have no problem taking it off, just need to know what the connectors look like before I put it back on.

 

[Mario Romagnoli]

My wires were cut as well.

Were bullet connectors used to plug into the back of the mirror? Anyone have a picture? Lucas type or something else?

I used uninsulated butt connectors to plug into the mirror: crimp each cut wires into one end of a butt connector, and leave the other end of each connector free - it is the right diameter to plug into the mirror "jacks".

 

[spiderserie4]

I have no problem taking it off, just need to know what the connectors look like before I put it back on.

like the mirror above, in post #7, I'd say, so bullet connectors.

 

[divotandtralee]

I have no problem taking it off, just need to know what the connectors look like before I put it back on.

Anything that "new" were probably spade connections... Lucas wiring was long gone from Alfa after the Giuliettas. All the light connections on my '73 are spade... even the Carello and Altissimo.