(credit to u/axrevolutionai for suggesting I make a full post for this)
This is a big one, for multiple reasons.
I am disabled, and live with my mother and stepfather, paying rent from my Social Security disability checks. To their perpetual credit, the house is paid off and they say I'll always have a home here. I am forever grateful for that. Anyway...
My stepfather needed triple (which became quadruple) bypass surgery. He was driven to the hospital early this morning, before sunrise.
However, as my mother was driving him, she turned too soon, and got two tires over the edge of the driveway. They had to call a tow truck, which had to call another to help. And because they couldn't afford it, I had to pay for them, well over $300 worth that I can't afford right now either.
Then it got worse. On the way there, they passed some homeless guy, who got so angry at them for whatever reason that he threw his flashlight at their car, and not only caused serious scratches on the door, but the back panel of a side mirror got completely dislodged, exposing the wiring. Normally Dad would go to a junkyard for a replacement part, but he's currently in the hospital, per above.
I'd share photos, but I don't want to risk self-doxxing.
On top of all this, while the surgery did go very well (thank God), he is currently intubated on a fucking VENTILATOR, for reasons I do not understand. He is expected to be in the hospital for five to seven days. I'll be visiting him once he wakes up.
We don't know what we're going to do. Can GME please fucking go TO THE MOON! already?! That's my only backup plan, and I bought in (over ten shares) because I was desperate and I trust YOU guys! Hell, even if I sold right now, it wouldn't be instantaneous--Computershare would snail-mail me a physical check, and having never done this before, I don't know if the taxes on that income would be deducted for me, or I'd have to make note of this on my 1040 or 1099 later.
Is it possible to duct-tape the back of the mirror in case we have to go somewhere when it rains? We have the car under a carport right now, so there's that. Normally Dad would order and attach the new one, but, well...
Oh, and the car's not insured. Insurance was cancelled a month or two ago because we can't fucking afford anything right now. Because of all of Dad's testing and preparation for this surgery.
Oh, and the warranty on the car has expired because it's about four years old.
God, I'm so frustrated right now. I feel powerless. Please pray for my family's well-being.
Mods, I apologize for the rant. Delete this if you must. But I don't know where else to turn.
(Update: He is OFF the ventilator!)
A decent duct tape will hold through several rains especially if you clean off the surfaces before sticking it, but can you be more specific? Is the mirror glass itself damaged, or is the entire mirror + encasing hanging down? If so you could secure it back onto the car with an L bracket and some duct screws. (Or just send the screws through the remainder of the part that attached the mirror encasing in the first place, if it's still there and you get long enough screws)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-8-x-1-2-in-External-Hex-Flange-Hex-Head-Self-Piercing-Screw-1-lb-Box-320-Piece-116098/205142870
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Building-Hardware/N-5yc1vZaqzs/Ntk-elasticplus/Ntt-l+bracket
depending on the angles of the mirror encasing you will need to find the appropriate bracket and likely bend it accordingly before attaching. It won't be pretty but it should hold. You can patch the holes made in the car with bondo later.
If the encasing is still attached to the car and just cracked open yeah, just cover that with duct tape and replace as needed. No big deal there. If the mirror glass itself is broken, not much you can do beyond getting a new one. If the mirror glass is detached and won't stay at proper angle, you could wedge something in between the edge of it to hold it in place.
prayers sent for everything else fren 🙏↗️ In Jesus' name.
The mirror glass is undamaged, thank God. The mirror is still perfectly usable for the moment.
But the back panel, the part that faces away from the driver, is completely gone.
I saw that I can get an entirely new mirror for this car model for about 50 bucks, but I don't need a whole new mirror, just the back panel.
Before using duct tape, find the electrical wires / connectors and wrap those with electrical tape. Don’t be sparing with the tape, this will block off any water / short circuit issues.
Next, bung the electrical conduit with some oiled rag, this will stop water making its way into the car body.
You would be surprised how unsealed these mirrors are.
IMPORTANT: to avoid potential civil service parasite “fines” for have a faulty mirror, avoid duct tape. Get a small replacement mirror in an auto parts store (cut a paper template) and use heavy duty carpet tape to stick that into the mirror housing.
Duct tape is like a magnet to cops, who are just itching to give you a ticket. Avoid it if possible, use electrical tape as close to the car colour as possible.