Abstract: A mounting apparatus comprises a grommet for snap-on attachment to an aperture in an exterior vehicle body panel, a base pad to be placed on the panel and adapted to engage the grommet in such a manner to prevent the grommet from being rotated about its axis relative to the base pad, and a self-tapping screw for insertion into the grommet. By means of the apparatus, an outside rear view mirror assembly is mounted on the panel through work entirely done from the outside of the panel without damaging the paint coating of the panel around the aperture.

Abstract: A rear view mirror arrangement including a mirror housing mounted on the vehicle side door with face to face contact. The mirror housing is retained in a position laterally protruding from the vehicle side door by spring force provided by a spring positioned between the mirror housing and the vehicle side door. The spring force permits the mirror housing to temporarily displace from the vehicle side door in response to an impact applied to the mirror housing in order to absorb the impact. The mirror arrangement has a mirror angle adjustment lever capable of adjusting the mirror angle in both vertical and horizontal directions. The mirror angle adjustment lever is releasably connected to the mirror permitting the displacement of the mirror housing with respect to the vehicle side door when the impact is received by the mirror housing.

Abstract: A steering column covering shell structure for use with a steering column of a steerable vehicle has a two-piece construction composed of lower and upper shell members which are disconnectably coupled together. By preference, one of the lower and upper shell members has a stress raising wall portion secured to the steering column directly or through the casing of a combination switch assembly mounted on the steering column and enclosed within the shell structure.