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Inside Mirror Obstructs View?

T

TXAVy

SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2002
Messages
1,986
Location
McKinney, TX
Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone else has had or solved this problem. For me it seems that the inside rearview mirror is almost right at eye level and obstructs my view in that direction. I figure my options are to either move the power seat down toward the floor so I can see under it easier, or to move the mirror up.

I'm leaning away from option #1 because the further down you move the seat, the less you can see over the hood, over the tailgate, or when checking blind spots.

The good news on option #2 is that it looks like the mirror should be easy to move. The squarish plastic channel that covers up the wires going from the roof to the mirror looks to be a telescoping adjustable design. It appears all I would have to do is remove the mirror from the existing mounting plate which is attached to the glass, get a glass company to remove and reattach the mounting plate a little higher, then reinstall mirror and wire channel in reverse order.

Only thing I'd have to watch out for is making sure the mirror doesn't get so high that the overhead center console obstructs the view. Even if it does that partially though, it should still allow a little better view of what's behind the tailgate. Personally I'd rather see that area better and lose a little of the center top view than vice-versa.

Any thoughts, tips, concerns, or advice, especially from anyone who's done this before?
 
I think you can probably do it yourself, if you're up for it. :)

I believe there is a releasing agent for the glass to metal epoxy used on the mirror hanger. I'm not certain where (or if!) I saw it though.

A little heat might help if you're using elbow grease. The mirror in my old car just plain fell off on a hot day.

Auto parts places sell cheap little kits to reapply the metal hanger... It looks like two small tubes of crazy glue. Sets up pretty fast and works great.
 
No ideas - but will be watching this closely - that mirror is dangerous! (Although now I've got the "duck and weave" down pretty good!)
 
I wouldn't say my mirror is in my way but I wouldn't mind moving it up a little....may give a little better angle seeing out the back glass.
 
I believe (not 100% sure) that there is a way to "adjust" the main pillar angle for the mirror that will move it up or down. I remember when I first picked up my 2002, the dealer hopped in the passenger seat and said, "...here, let me fix this so you can see better..." and relocated the entire mirror upwards out of the way and it was much better. I will check and see, but you may want to look back there yourself. It is more of a major adjustment than just a tilt.

richs
 
I think I have this fixed! :)

After Richs comment above I went in and took a closer look at the mirror. Turns out that the arm that attaches the mirror to the plate on the window is actually hinged at BOTH ends, which allows you to move the entire mirror up, down, left, or right while still offering the same view out the back window.

I got my mirror moved up out of the way enough that it doesn't obstruct my view any more. And for rearward viewing, it now shows both the smallest sliver of the overhead console on the top, and the edge of the tailgate at the bottom. So I think for me there isn't a much better position I could put it in. Of course it will vary some by how tall you are.

Here's a couple pictures so you can see what I've done to adjust the mirror, maybe it will work for you too.

Here is the mirror in the original position, you can see how the attaching arm is angled down.
Mirror_Down_s.jpg


Here is the mirror in the raised position yet still showing the same view out the back window.
Mirror_Up_s.jpg
 
I hated that too... my 2000 Sonoma was the same way.

Had no idea it could do that... I know what I'll be doing the next time I hop in the AV!

Thanks for the research!

David
 
Glad you got it fixed. I'll have to look at mine and see if it is improveable.

Watch the heat suggestion above. It don't take much to crack that glass. Hair dryer may be OK, but don't know if it would be enouth heat.
 
lanman1 said:
Exactly how tall are you guys? ?I'm 6'2" and it's not in my way. ? ???
Click to expand...
Maybe you're tall enough that you're looking over the top of it? ???

I'm short, but I have the power seat raised up high. I find that the mirror is right at eye level. It's generally not a problem, except when I come up to a stop sign. If there is another car to my right, I can still see the wheels of the car, and sometimes the roof, but I can't see the other driver. I have to scrunch down or lean to the side in order to see the driver so we can make eye contact and not run into each other in the intersection.

The first day I had my truck I didn't like how low the mirror was and moved it up. I wish it was higher, but then the overhead console is blocking the view. I found the best compromise to be the view that TXAVy describes:

TXAVy said:
I got my mirror moved up out of the way enough that it doesn't obstruct my view any more. And for rearward viewing, it now shows both the smallest sliver of the overhead console on the top, and the edge of the tailgate at the bottom. So I think for me there isn't a much better position I could put it in.
Click to expand...

mmdavidw: your avatar text says you can't post without needing to edit it, but you didn't edit your last post here! What's the story? ;) >:D

-- SS
 
I haven't looked at many RVMs lately, but I've never seen one that didn't pivot on both ends. The problem I have is with the LARGE blind spot created by the OSRVM and the A-pillar where it attaches. You can lose whole cars there. And that's right where I'm trying to look when turning left onto a street or into a drive. :8:
 
ShapeShifter said:
mmdavidw: your avatar text says you can't post without needing to edit it, but you didn't edit your last post here! What's the story? ;) >:D

-- SS
Click to expand...

I figured if I pointed it out, then it would stop it from happening... seems to have worked so far. :)

David
 
TXAVy :

Yep, you found it...I checked mine over the weekend, but didn't get a chance to pull out the digital camera. Great pix. Glad it helped.

richs
 
Exactly how tall are you guys? I'm 6'2" and it's not in my way.
Click to expand...
I'm 5'10", but apparently my mirror was positioned as far as it would go down and I keep my seat pretty high so it was right in my line of sight to the right pretty much like SS described above. I keep my seat pretty high because it helps with seeing the most ground over the hood and tailgate too.

I haven't looked at many RVMs lately, but I've never seen one that didn't pivot on both ends. The problem I have is with the LARGE blind spot created by the OSRVM and the A-pillar where it attaches. You can lose whole cars there. And that's right where I'm trying to look when turning left onto a street or into a drive. :8:
Click to expand...
If you're turning left onto a street, why would there be a car in your blind spot on the left? Aren't you already in the left lane?

I've got both of my OSRVM (OutSide RearView Mirrors) adjusted so that they each show just a sliver of the back corner of the truck. With them in that position I've found that my blind spots are easily viewable out of the back seat passenger windows when I turn my head. Any cars that are back further and hiding behind the sail panel show up in the mirrors just fine.

Oh wait... you're not talking about the regular blind spot, but cars that are covered by the mirror itself? That's strange, I can't imagine how that could obstruct that much of your vision out the front sides. Maybe you're lifted 6" or more? Heh. :)
 
TXAVy said:
Oh wait... you're not talking about the regular blind spot, but cars that are covered by the mirror itself? That's strange, I can't imagine how that could obstruct that much of your vision out the front sides. Maybe you're lifted 6" or more? Heh. :)
Click to expand...
I've seen it too. Cars are hidden partly by the mirror, but mostly by the A pillar. It can be a problem at an intersection, but I see it mostly when the road takes a sweeping left turn: oncoming cars can be completely hidden by the A pillar for several seconds at a time. Kind of startling when you don't think there is anything there, and suddenly see a car "appear" on the road close to you.

The other problem I have is a block from my house. The road I take merges with another road at a 45 degree angle. While I'm at the stop sign, looking back over my right shoulder, oncoming traffic is hidden by the passenger head rest and the thick B pillar. I really have to bob and weave with my head to see traffic.

Near work, I've got the same kind of 45 degree intersection, but on the other side. I need to look backwards over my left shoulder to look for traffic. There's no visiblity problems there, but the first few times I did it with the new truck, I kept getting startled by what appeared to be a vehicle right next to my left rear fender. A second look showed there was nothing there, I was just seeing the grey bulk of the sail panel out of the corner of my eye. :2:

-- SS
 
I agree on the problem posed by the A pillar, especially with the added width created by the vent-shade. I once got a real dirty look from a pedestrian who was apparently walking at the same rate I was turning left across a crosswalk. He was simply blocked out for a good many steps. I guesse he thought I saw him and just continued into the crosswalk. Hope he a tree hugger anyway.
 
There definitely seems to be an A Pillar induced blind spot. I've noticed it several times when driving the AV.

Can't recall noticing this when driving other cars.
 
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