They're for 1996 xl style. All black, swivel and manual. I bought new mirrors because the original's plastic body split apart while trying to fold it. They were getting harder to swivel, even with occasional wd40 or silicon lube. The new parts are even harder to turn. I could see the new body seams wanting to move and split. Silicone lube did nothing. I see 2 screws from the bottom. They are very tight but I can try to turn them, maybe with a drill at low torque. Will that loosen the swivel pivot? Thanks.

 

Took a chance and unscrewed those screws and they are for attaching the mirror body to the swivel plate. It sounds like 2 metal plates rubbing with center tube that's crimped shut. They were about $16 each (I think the name was action-crash?) and a bad construction quality. I imagine the swivel bases will corrode quickly on this. I will have to try $25 mirrors. Can anybody recommend better brand? Dorman is there but my experience with that brand is not good.

 

Try looking for better OEM parts in the junkyard or classifieds.

 

Agree with above, the only mirrors worth a damn are JY replacements. All the aftermarket mirrors are awful.

 

I have the same mirrors but in chrome. Mine never get turned in so they would require some persuasion to move, if they would move at all. I really don't think these mirrors are designed to be free moving like newer vehicles.

 

The photos & captions in this album show why they break:

(phone app link)


Start about halfway down the page for the hinge mechanism. Originals might be slightly looser due to being older & worn, but the aftermarket copies have the same flaws that Ford designed into them.

 

Thank you for the info. I couldn't look through all the links about the mirrors. One side mirror finally broke off free from the mount. Old plastic body was brittle enough. I could see that there are metal plates at the swivel point and saw one metal ball. Could be there were more. I remember well that the mirror turned fairly well. But the problem could be corrosion as well as plastic body becoming less of anchor points. The metal ball was still shiny. New side mirrors I bought, and returned, could be lacking the metal ball(s) and just turning on two metal plates with some kind of bends for resistance. Or the metal ***** are trapped too tight. I'm not sure what to do now. Buy more expensive mirrors and see what happens? I don't see junk yards having these mirrors that still have good life left, even if I could find a junk yard here in nj.

 

Why not?Put your location in your profile so it shows under your username.

 

For the side mirrror problem, looking through all that information you have - couldn't do it. Steve83, really appreciate your enthusiasm for the f150, but for the mirror, knowing it is far too gone, isn't it simple matter of replacing the whole part? Each mirror was about $15 and it looks like the new mirrors are low quality construction at that price. The factory mirrors could be folded fairly smoothly but not the new ones. Maybe they would fold better if they are installed and anchored? I don't know, but I could feel and hear the metals grinding trying to fold the mirror just outside the box. I ordered just driver side mirror this time from amazon (for easier return) at about double the price. Just 3-4 reviews but at least one said this brand folds well. It is Fit system 61010f. I'll report back on its quality.

 

The Fit System mirror from amazon swivels a lot better. I will be getting the passenger side as well. I will be lubricating them as well on a regular schedule.