Mirror removal help-any thoughts?

[ho70]

Want to install my original below eyeline mirrors. Previous owner installed sport mirrors, but used bolts instead of screws. I can not get a socket, nut driver or what ever to loosen the nuts. Pliers behind won't work either. I have grind down a socket but still too thick. Thinking chisel slot in for screw driver or drill head off. Any thoughts?

[Killer Bee]

1/4" drive thin wall 6pt for best engagement but a 12pt should get in there a little easier, naturally thinner..

if not, keep grinding 'til it fits.. this is your best option..

I have several home made tools in my box.. if you don't want to break up a set, buy a cheaper husky or craftsman to grind..

spray some penetrant on the nut plate inside to help loosen them up..

also nice if you can save the sport mirror for someone else in need..

grinding a slot in the head for a screwdriver may prove to be very challenging in that recess..

as a professional mechanic for about 30 years, I can tell you, save the fastener as is and get the best fitting tool you have on it..

once you start cutting fasteners, you begin to lose what grip you had and may regret it later..

good luck!

this little gem is an 1 1/16" deep impact but all I had available at the time to replace a geyser oil pressure sender on my 5.3 where it popped..

kept grinding until it cleared the obstruction on the intake/block or whatever it was.. and dropped right on..

[lwh]

You could possible drill and use an easy out. Should work, the handy little tools have saved me more than once.

Best of Luck

[FRCvette]

Try a multi purpose screw driver that you can pull the tip out of. The housings are usually pretty thin and are 6 point.

[Andy4639]

Take the door panel off and back it out with vise grips until you can get a socket on the bolt head. If there is enough sticking through.

[Jcfcamaro]

I'm with Andy, go on the inside of door panel and take it out that way. You might need an extra person to keep the nut from spinning but I bet a pair of needle nose pliers will do the job to hold it.

[Killer Bee]

the OE are machine thread and the one aftermarket set I tried was screw thread..

all three screws thread into a single plate, screw tails would be tough to bite in the narrow access of the door shell..

and once the threads tails are boogered up, they're going to be even more difficult to back out of the nut plate..

the recessed heads in the mirror base makes this more challenging, however attacking the fastener there would still be my preference..

the fastest solution with the least moves, highest probability of success, and least amount of collateral damage = cut a socket to fit..

if it was installed with a socket, it can be removed with a socket.. just don't forget to spray the the threads inside the door..

have to remove the door panel and trim to access door shell openings to retrieve nut plate and position new one either way..

good luck!

[bill3rail]

Keep grinding that socket until it fits!

[shoveldug]

Center punch the bolt and drill the head off. If you have a set of left hand drills even better the bolts may back out.

[ho70]

OK- tried the plier\vis grips didn't work. Ground a 6 point and finally got them out. Thanks
Here are pics of both mirrors in case anyone is on the fence as to which to have.

[ho70]

From behind

[Killer Bee]

good job! I loves a happy ending! I'm partial to truck mirrors on trucks myself..

only tried to replace a broken sport mirror to save holes until I decide on which ones..

so here's a later model set I set up to see how it looked on my 71 K20, zip tied it to the broken sport arm..

still putting parts together to complete a full set of D29 in 71 and 72 [shorter arms] to make a final decision..

the first runner up set will go to the 72 K1500 behind it, last place keep for spares or offer to someone here..

your truck looks great, good luck!