MX5Ireland

Was going to put this in the "What did you do in your MX5 Today" section under the heading of "I F**ked it up", but then thought it deserved it's own post.

Washed the car with the intention of giving it a layer of polish and wax as a bit of protection for the coming months. Got in to reverse into the garage, then remembered that the passenger mirror was slightly off - so thought this would be a good time to jump out and give it a minor adjustment (I'm guessing by this stage you have figured where this is going}. it was a tad tight, so I thought the slightest bit of pressure would be enough, and so as the said pressure was applied there ensued a loud bang.........









As above....FFS

A nuisance when it happens but you're not alone, it's the bolt that rotted away and most likely the spring isn't far behind.
This is on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/161221263662 it'll give you an idea of what's needed.

Just get the bolt.The spring will be fine.The black plastic rim around the glass has to be popped out gently but its not designed to be removed so will need bit glue to hold in when finished.I find gently prising the rim with stanley blade but around the top half only and then pop out the glass.Try not to remove rim all the way around so less glue needed.You will then see the bolt/nut set up inside the mirror head itself

Common enough issue Graham, at least you'll have the off-season to fix it......

Wudda been worse if the mirror detached itself while driving....

John

Thanks for the advice Robert - will try get a look at it this week (I was put off yesterday when I looked at the casing and couldn't see how to get the trim off.... but that makes sense now - it's not meant to come off!).

And very true John - at least I have the mirror (Just felt such a fool having pulled the mirror of the car!).

soooooo...... the dismantling went surprisingly OK (so far).

carefully scored round the rim with a Stanley blade and teased it off before VERY CAREFULLY popping the glass out. Accompanied by the bolt and spring.




Then removed the stalk from the door, and could see the problem. And Pops, thanks for the link, that seems indeed to be the bit I need to replace.




BUT........ What do I do with this!!!! How in the name of bejaysus do I remove the broken bolt!!!??? Any ideas greatly welcomed (I have it soaking in WD40 as I type).




Finally, I presume there should be a gasket for the foot of the stalk? There wasn't (and when I checked the drivers mirror, there ain't one there either).




Thanks,

Graham.

Well done stripping it, WD and gentle persuasion should get the bolt out. There should be a seal between mirror and door, you can make them from old rubber tube and as the spring looks ok I'm sure you'll find a suitable bolt in your treasure trove

This xcp stuff is supposed to be good , pretty sure I saw it in B&Q
https://xcp-protection.com/

SUCCESS!!!!!!
Soaked this part overnight, and the following day was able to prize out the domed middle part.



Unfortunately, the bolt running through this piece WOULD NOT shift. I tried cutting round the inner rim to loosen the washer so I could lift it out (hopefully with bolt attached) - but no luck. Tried to press it out... nothing happened. Tried to hammer it out, during which it shattered! This, of course, released the bolt, and it was no wonder it wouldn't come out - not only was it rusted solidly in place, but it is flared, making it harder to draw through the domed part.




This domed part doesn't appear to be available to buy as a single item, so having it all fall apart meant either try get a second hand mirror or try McGiver it, soooooo.. as suggested Pops, I searched through my tin of nuts and bolts and found some suitable bits to use. I put a soft rubber washer (smeared in silicone grease) between the base of the mirror case and the arm connecting it to the door. Where to domed part was I put in a soft rubber grommet (silicone grease again), then a washer, a spring washer and followed this with two small nuts. And surprisingly it all held together (and had a fair degree of movement). Back in with the glass, superglued the black rim back on, and job almost done.




Finally, as there was no gasket between the mirror and car door I took an old bicycle tube, drew round the base of the mirror arm and cut. It mightn't be the neatest, but when the cover is clicked on it's all covered up.





And hey-presto - It looks like a car again!



Hopefully it'll last. And should it fall off at some stage, then I'll get a replacement (which I thought I was going to have to do anyway).

Feeling pleased :- )

nice job!

Well done, time and patience well spent

I had to do the same job at one time.. trust me the superglue won't hold. (Ask me how I knoaw) Get some of that gorilla glue in there and she will hold.

Thanks lads.... and good heads up on the super glue Ray. Sooooooo, go on, how do you know?? :- )

Well done !

Thanks John.... sometimes it's the little things that make one's day :- )