Paint and Body Problem with 1985 GT T-Top outside mirrors

V

Vatchy

Member

Dec 9, 2006

10

1

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Sep 9, 2025

#1

• Sep 9, 2025

• #1

I have a 1985 GT with T-Tops that I bought new. The outside mirrors have three metal wires inside that control the position. One of these keeps breaking in both left and right mirrors. I'm the only one who drives it so the mirrors seldom get moved. Just get in the car and the mirror is pointing down. I've replaced them a couple of times with used mirrors but they don't seem to last very long. Anybody run into this problem and have a solution?

 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

5 Year Member

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#2

• Sep 9, 2025

• #2

Are you replacing the mirror with the adjuster cables attached?
I've messed around with a couple of them but don't remember specifics.

 

V

Vatchy

Member

Dec 9, 2006

10

1

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Sep 10, 2025

#3

• Sep 10, 2025

• #3

The adjuster cables are the three wires I mentioned. They are manual and the adjuster is just on the inside of the mirror.



I circled the wires I'm talking about in red. At the end of the wires (bottom of picture) is the adjuster that sticks out from the bottom forward part of the side window.



When one of thjose wires breaks then the mirror can no longer be positioned. I am wondering what I can replace the mirrors with.

 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Admin Dude

Jan 4, 1985

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Sep 10, 2025

#4

• Sep 10, 2025

• #4

So check this out because I am a little confused:


This is [listed] as a power mirror for 87-93. The images however, show it as the manual mirror:

Mustang Powered Side Mirror; Driver Side; Replacement Part (87-93 Mustang) - Free Shipping

FREE SHIPPING! Restore Road Visibility. With Sherman’s Mustang Powered Side Mirror, you restore road visibility while ensuring your vehicle stays road legal. A

www.americanmuscle.com

My question is this: Even if it doesn't fit our 79-86 Mustangs, I wonder if the adjustment mechanism can be swapped into our housing.

Crappy image but this is what they had:

 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Admin Dude

Jan 4, 1985

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#5

• Sep 10, 2025

• #5

Furthermore:


If the guts from the mirror in my last post can be swapped over, I wonder if the guts for the power version can be swapped over?

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/92340/10002/-1

Could make our own 4-position joystick or install one from an 87+.

 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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polk county florida

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#6

• Sep 10, 2025

• #6

I just saw a non-power mirror in a box I was dig'n through, I'll look for it again.
And yes, Noobz that is a pic of a non-power drivers mirror

 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

5 Year Member

Aug 25, 2016

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polk county florida

Sep 11, 2025

#7

• Sep 11, 2025

• #7

Ok, found a drivers side non power mirror, three screws, two behind the mirror inside the body, one at the top about 12 o'clock and one bottom left, one between the mounting studs on the side under that gasket, got some pics on the big screen but things went left this afternoon, got pics loaded but no time to post.
where does the cable keep breaking, same place both times or different

 

V

Vatchy

Member

Dec 9, 2006

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Sep 12, 2025

#8

• Sep 12, 2025

• #8

General karthief said:

where does the cable keep breaking, same place both times or different

Click to expand...

I haven't really kept track of which or where it breaks. Probably the same one because it always ends up pointing down at the door.

 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Admin Dude

Jan 4, 1985

42,989

21,176

234

Box behind Walmart

Sep 12, 2025

#9

• Sep 12, 2025

• #9

Vatchy said:

I haven't really kept track of which or where it breaks. Probably the same one because it always ends up pointing down at the door.

Click to expand...

Ball is in your court. Can't help you with that piece.

 

V

Vatchy

Member

Dec 9, 2006

10

1

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Sep 26, 2025

#10

• Sep 26, 2025

• #10

I just took the mirror apart and found the problem - the center pivot mount was broken off the mirror housing. I've got another housing so problem solved.

Thanks.

 

Reactions: General karthief