NA side mirrors

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:54 pm

It's been a while since I posted, mostly because I've been overseas. (And, Howard, I haven't forgotten.)

Anyway, one of my side mirrors on my BRG NA just dropped off. I went to look at the other side mirror to see how it was mounted, and it came off in
my hand. Both mounting bolts seem to have totally rusted through.

I'm unsure as to whether I can (easily) take the mirror assemblies
apart and attach new mounting brackets, or whether I would be better
served getting whole new mirrors. Can anyone advise as to what would be
the most hassle-free option?

Cheers

Lawrence

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:13 pm

you can fix them by fitting new stainless steel bolts...you have to remove the glass from the mirror and the base part from the door..not too hard to do, but getting the glass out is the tricky bit...Do you still have the spring???

MN · Post by MN » Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:10 pm

I had exactly the same thing happen and when passing through Hamilton dropped into MX5Mart to get another one but Ross said just carefully break out the plastic surrounding the mirror lense and put a new bolt in. Which I did. The surround came away quite easily but did require a bit of subtle force (if there can be such a thing) to brake the plastic welds. I got a new bolt (stainless or something) and mounted the mirror on the door bracket and tightened it all up then put the mirror back in then glued back the plastic surround (superglued so hopefully it doesn't happen again cos I don't think it will come out next time). It took all of about 5 minutes!

poison · Post by **poison** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:12 pm

Ross kindly told me the same and it worked fine, my car had been repainted so it was hard to see the join. So if yours is the same, the whole front surround of the glass will prise out with some care using a knife. I just used normal bolts ane they will last another 15 years. But...DO NOT add grease as a rust inhibitor, as no matter how scarily tight you do the bolt the mirror will always move

and then you have to start again. The trim glues back in quite easily.

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:04 am

awesome. Cheers.

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:28 am

supplementary question:

Yup ... black surrounds successfully removed from mirrors and, crikey, there's a lot of rust action going on in there. Looks like I need two new bolts, and two new springs. So ...

Anyone know what bolt/spring I buy? I am getting increasingly tired of the gormless teens who staff my local Repco and Placemakers, and the even more gormless boyracers who staff my local SuperCheap. A part number could save me a a fair bit of time if anyone knows it.

Cheers

Bazza · Post by **Bazza** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:15 am

I have fixed both mine and one for my daughter but I managed to use the existing bolts and springs. I had to repeat the drama on mine because they loosened off again. I am sure that Ross at MX5mart has the bits you need, perhaps an email...?

poison · Post by **poison** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:33 pm

I used the same springs, although rusty, I gave them a wire brush and painted them with rust kill, there's still a few years of life in them. New bolts though.

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:22 pm

My springs look like they need replacing. Guess it's time to give Ross a call.

One last question. Once I've got all the bits'n'bobs sorted out, do I put the mirror assembly back together, glue the mirror frame back on and then attach everything from the bottom, or do I reassemble everything on the car from inside the mirror, and glue the mirror on last? (And is Superglue OK for the frame?)

Cheers for all the advice

Lawrence

Bazza · Post by **Bazza** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:19 pm

Reassemble and re-glue it back together on your bench then bolt it back onto the car. I found it helps to get the mirror angle as correct as possible before putting it back on as the least fiddling about the better. There is a fine line between getting it tight enough on the spring so that it stays at the right angle and/or too loose.

I used a more rubbery type of glue, and just as well as I had to re-do the job to re-tension it. At least the excess glue peeled away. Your superglue would probably work ok but make any further repairs difficult.

Good luck

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:18 pm

yeah, I wondered about the glue ... obviously, it needs to be strong so you don't lose your mirrors on the motorway, but not so strong as to make it impossible to get them apart again in the future.

poison · Post by **poison** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:45 pm

I used super glue, and of course like all glues it will barely hold anything together that needs to be held together, but will never ever let go if you put it together wrong L.

The only thing with super glue is it only works if the surfaces are very clean and close fitting, so any slight gaps and it won’t work. Also it’s runny as hell and gets everywhere if you put the slightest bit too much, much like silicone really, and both a b*stard to get off your hands.

Bazza · Post by **Bazza** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:56 pm

...............and be very careful what you scratch....

NA side mirrors

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