2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Cipa tow mirrors and Vibration

[MrFixit]

Anyone have the Cipa extendable tow mirrors and a bug deflector. I noticed recently that on the freeway, my mirror surfaces vibrate pretty good. It is sometimes hard to see out of them. I saw some TSB's out there about original mirrors and bug delfector problems, so aero dynamics might be lending a hand to my problem. I called Cipa about it (before I found out the deflector problem) and they said they had an assembly problem and the mirror might not be in its notch. They gave me a tool to pop the mirror out and reset it. I don't want to try it yet for fear of breaking the glass, but I am looking for similar truck configurations to see if this problem exists elsewhere. The mirrors worked great when new (1 year ago) and I got the deflector after Christmas and shortly after noticed the problem. The deflector is mounted w/ doluble sided tape so I don't want to yank it off yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated



Thanks

Ramon

 

[dsather]

Cipa vibrations

I have the Cipa mirrors installed on my 99. Put them on about a month ago. No bug deflector. I'm not real happy. The driver side is pretty good but the right vibrates much more than the left. The mounts on the doors are solid. Can't say anything about your bug deflector but the 2 sides on my truck are not even close to the same so there may be a problem with their assembly. Good luck. I'm sure I'll be calling them as well.



Dennis

 

[MrFixit]

Thanks Dennis,

I agree, the mounts are very solid. The black housing seems to stay still, just the mirror surface is shakey. The angle on the passenger side is not quite right. I still have to tilt my had back a little to see aroung the trailer when I tow. I am almost ready to take my factory flip up tow mirrors and buy the 03 electric mirror and do the conversion. I could see real good with the factory flip ups, but they were manual for my '01.

 

[drag racer]

CIPA Mirrors

I had a 3 piece bug deflector on my truck before I installed the CIPAs, so I can't comment on their effect on mirror vibration.



My observations so far are: the mounts are solid, I know I tightened them to the recommended torque (almost afraid I was going to snap off the studs). My right mirror vibrates quite a bit. The left mirror hardly ever vibrates. It seems to me that the degree of vibration I see on the right side is influenced by prevailing wind direction and speed, direction of the truck relative to the wind, vehicle speed, and road surface. I have occasionally had instances when the right mirror does not vibrate at all, but most of the time it does. I'm not sure if there was an assembly problem with mine or not. Overall, I think the mirrors are pretty cool, both functionally and aesthetically, and a big improvement over stock.

 

[FDziurda]

Cipa Mirrors

I have had a set of these mirrors on my truck for almost 2 years and really like them. I have had similar experiences with "Drag Racer". When the wind is not blowing, I seldom notice much movement. When the wind is blowing, it depends on how hard and from which direction, as to which mirror vibrates and how bad it shakes. I am still quite pleased with them over the OEM mirrors.



Frank Dz

 

[johnrv4]

Bug deflector here

I have them along with the factory three piece bug deflector, and I haven't really noticed any problems with mine in the last year that I've had them installed. I wish the detent for the passenger mirror was back a little farther, or the mirror would adjust in a little more. It's fine for me, but my wife complains if she drives the truck that she can't see down the right side with the seat adjusted forward and the mirror adjusted in all the way.

 

[1dslram]

I have had mine on about 1 1/2 months now and just got back to LA area from Vegas and I have had no vibration at all. I tightened the mirrors beyond the recommended torque because it was my belief that it wasn't enough. I removed my bug deflector about a month before installing the mirrors so I can't be of any help there.

Bruce

 

[CCCRAM]

Originally posted by MrFixit

... I called Cipa about it (before I found out the deflector problem) and they said they had an assembly problem and the mirror might not be in its notch...

Ramon,

I had the same thing happen to me. I bought the Lucerix mirror which is the same type, virtually identical to the CIPA. I had a lot of vibratio, so much that the mirror would rattle till it hit bottom. I solved it by returning it to Lucerix, who gave me a credit. Then I bought the Powervision Mirrors (www.powervisionmirrors.com). Wow this mirror is great. Not only does it not vibrate, but the power extension feature, combined with heated and powered adjustment, its a great deal at the same price. Plus it will bend in either direction if you need to get into tight places.



My recommendation is to purchase Powervision!

 

[redram]

I would hope the aftermarker Powervision mirrors would not vibrate with a 20:1 or 25:1 difference in price.



I have a set of the Cipa's for $20 if anyone wants them. Used once. Ended up putting on a set of the Mopar transformer Tow Mirrors that I picked up used for a bill and a half.



email me if anyone wants a set of Cipa's for $20.

 

[MrFixit]

Thanks

Thanks for all the input guys. As most have said, it depends on direction of wind. I can take a toll road one way for a bout 20 min, and notice the vibration on one mirror only. The the same road back and notice the vibration on the other mirror. I might tinker with the CIPA tool and pop the mirror off and see what is up with the mounting mechanism. If I find anything out, I will post.



Bruce... I think we sat at the same table for the TDR banquet. We spoke and I used to work in Downey. Great trip huh?



Take care guys



Ramon

 

[pcarlson]

Ramon,



I bought the Lucerix mirror. Same manufacturer as the CIPA's. Funny thing is that Automirror Source who I bought the mirrors from no longer sell them due to quality control issues.



Mine viberate since new. I had returned the first right side mirror because the detent was in the wrong place and I could not adjust the mirror to see out of it. That was one of the factory quality issues that they weld the detent stop in the wrong spot.

The vibration is another issue.



I guess there is alot of warranty issues for these mirrors.

 

[MrFixit]

Trailerlife recommended

I bought these because of the write-up in Trailerlife. I wish they would have tested them a little longer. Looks like we get to do the longer term testing.

 

[DavidC]

Trailer Life also thought the new Ford diesel was the truck to own, especially if you were pulling heavy loads .



Dave

 

[MrFixit]

Not totally fooled

Well At least I just got fooled by the mirrors!

 

[DSutton]

Try to get a set of the 2000-2001 recall mirrors from a friend @ Dodge. They are easily fixed, lots cheaper than Powervision, much bigger than powervision, extend further than powervision, do not vibrate like Cipa or the scuba type.



I have had a set on my truck for about 4 months now and cannot believe the improvement. Plus it updates the look of the truck also.



(If ya can't tell, I love em)

 

[MrFixit]

Which ones

Not sure which ones you are talking about. The only Dodge mirror I know for the 2001 was the manual flip up tow mirror, which I have a set also but did not like the manual feature. I hear you can convert them with the 2003 flip up power mirror by changing the mounts.

 

[1dslram]

Ramon:

This is the link to Power Vision http://www.powervisionmirrors.com/

I rejected these because of the size of the nirror being too small. But I have heard only good things about them. Have you contacted where you got the mirrors? If you would be interested I could make a extra support for the inside to go over the supplied plate to tighetn the mirrors up and try to cut vibration and if it would work I could supply these to others with the problem.

PM me if interested and we could try that out.

Bruce

 

[Racechaser]

CIPA's rule!

I installed them last week on my '96 2500 and used them this weekend. I was impressed a how little they moved compared to the factory chrome mirror's. They were back-ordered when I ordered them, due to a change in manufacturing. My friend that is a tech a the local dealer, commented on the quality. Oh yeah, no bug-guard here. I'd remove that over the mirrors, talk about something that doesn't work!!!!!!