Perminent fix for Droopy Mirror in the 2nd Gen Legacy

[twistedsymphony]

I bought a 99 Legacy Wagon last fall, I love the car but one of the things that always bothered me was how the rear-view mirror droops/falls out of adjustment whenever I hit a bump. It wasn't so bad over the winter but now that summer is here I have to adjust it up just about every-time I use the thing.

Having owned several 240SXs I noticed that the S14 chassis (1995-1998) uses a very similar size and shape mirror as the 2nd gen Legacy so I'd thought about seeing if it would fit:



As you can see they both use a similar length arm with a similar shaped mirror and a similar 3-bolt mounting flange. The Legacy mirror is black but the gray color of the 240SX mirror doesn't matter because the headliner in the legacy is gray anyway.


What's not the same about the mirrors the adjustment joint:

As you can see the 240SX mirror has the adjustment joint on the top of the mirror which means that any bumps or vibrations will have little effect on the adjustment. The legacy's joint is on the back so everytime you hit a bump the weight of the mirror torques the joint downward... it's a pretty annoying design flaw.

Having owned 3 separate S14s I never had any problems with the mirror falling out of adjustment, nor have I ever heard of it being a problem with other owners.

I thought I might have to adjust the mounting holes or something to make it work but amazing the bolt holes on the S14 mirror's mounting flange line up perfectly in the Subaru for a 100% bolt on replacement. I used the plastic cover from the S14 mirror since the mounting flanges are shaped slightly different but it looks right at home in the Subaru, and no more droopy mirror!





I happened to have a spare mirror from an old parts car. S14s aren't nearly as common as Legacies but I would think you could find mirrors at scrap yards pretty cheap or find someone on zilvia or nicoclub doing a part-out.

EDIT: Looking around it seems like the 93-97 Altima, the 90-94 Sentra, the 95-99 Maxima, and the 90-96 300ZX all used what looks like a similar mirror. Nissan uses a similar "parts-bin" approach to cars as Subaru does so I wouldn't be surprised if they're the same exact mirror as the 240SX... and unliked the S14 the Altima parts are dirt cheap and plentiful.

[chrish8r]

Since putting a subwoofer in my car, the saggy mirror has become quite a pain.( even listening at normal volumes). I might have to look into some pull yards to check out altima mirrors. Thanks!

[ctbrighton]

Um...is tightening the bolt that holds it tight not an option?

[twistedsymphony]

Um...is tightening the bolt that holds it tight not an option?

if I had a dollar for every time I tightened that stupid screw and had it start drooping again soon after (even with loctite) I could have bought a brand new mirror from Subaru by now

[Alphius]

If you take that screw out of the Legacy mirror that holds the mirror to the arm you will find a metal tension disc behind it. Usually the issue can be resolved by flipping that tension disc around and bolting the mirror back up. I've fixed 3-4 of these cars that way so far.

[twistedsymphony]

If you take that screw out of the Legacy mirror that holds the mirror to the arm you will find a metal tension disc behind it. Usually the issue can be resolved by flipping that tension disc around and bolting the mirror back up. I've fixed 3-4 of these cars that way so far.

good to know... maybe I'll do that to my old mirror and keep it as a spare.

[Muse]

This has been plaguing me for a year or so now... thank you!

[grayguy]

I just took mine off, they are annoying and I hate the blind spot they create.

[Muse]

Tried that, and it drove me batshit. had to adjust my wing mirrors to see behind me, and that caused different blind spots.
This is the article that changed how I adjust my mirrors.

[grayguy]

I drive dumptruck/ semi, so I am used to only side mirrors

[Muse]

Yeah, but those mirrors cover more than car mirrors.

[grayguy]

Meh, it hasn't been in issue in the leggy for 3 years

[misbahurc]

I was wondering, did you need/use this piece?
http://www.courtesyparts.com/96317-rubb ... 31811.html
It goes on where that little peg is behind the S14 mirror's arm.
This video says it for reducing vibrations:

[twistedsymphony]

I was wondering, did you need/use this piece?
http://www.courtesyparts.com/96317-rubb ... 31811.html
It goes on where that little peg is behind the S14 mirror's arm.
This video says it for reducing vibrations:

no, I don't even run one on my S14. it's like a little rubber tube, I think it's supposed to help reduce vibrations in the mirror but it doesn't seem to make any difference in my experience.

[meepers]

FYI on this, moving up to the Infinity auto dim mirror bolts up the same and its a simple 2 wire hookup