TVR S mirror swap mx-5, special fixings leave door card on!
Discussion
Hi - My original mirrors were looking unhappy, discoloured lenses and tired looking plastic. I decideed to watch mirrors as i drove around for a week or two and decided on mx5 mk1, although audi TT also looked promising.
The big challenge was removing the ball sockets from the doors. Unlike many others here I found i had no retaining screws but just lots of fibre glass behind the sockets, which refused to budge.
So after much searching for solutions I ended up with the grinder out and chopped the sticky-out sections of the sockets off.
My next challenge was to find a way of fixing the mx5 mirrors without removing the door cards and yes it can be done!
Familiar with the building trades I recalled a special fixing typically used for hanging heavy stuff off skinned doors or plasterboard.
So off to screwfix and pack was bought;
You just drill two 12mm holes and they push in and crimp up with a special tool. Less than £15 including the tool and loads of spares for hanging shelves!
final job looks like this
well chuffed...
The big challenge was removing the ball sockets from the doors. Unlike many others here I found i had no retaining screws but just lots of fibre glass behind the sockets, which refused to budge.
So after much searching for solutions I ended up with the grinder out and chopped the sticky-out sections of the sockets off.
My next challenge was to find a way of fixing the mx5 mirrors without removing the door cards and yes it can be done!
Familiar with the building trades I recalled a special fixing typically used for hanging heavy stuff off skinned doors or plasterboard.
So off to screwfix and pack was bought;
You just drill two 12mm holes and they push in and crimp up with a special tool. Less than £15 including the tool and loads of spares for hanging shelves!
final job looks like this
well chuffed...
agreed. However, I think with this method, its the large flat area (like a washer but fixed) on top of the door and the lower section is pressing against the inner door skin, which is extra thick as its still holding the remnants of the 'socket' support in place. So hopefully this is far enough from the surface to avoid any issues.
As you say, time will tell.
Its funny, i can actually see whats behind me now.....but whatever it is still seems to get smaller and smaller ...he he
As you say, time will tell.
Its funny, i can actually see whats behind me now.....but whatever it is still seems to get smaller and smaller ...he he
mikel003003 said:
went online to order the tool but it seems to be out of stock curses!
You can buy them on lots of websites. I have this one:http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=144797
Its more expensive but I use it everyday. When searching avoid the ones which are plastic bodied (black to look metal). Even with casual use they are rubbish. I am sure you will find loads of them on Ebay etc and cheaper than the one above.
On the photos of the two shown by Philpot, the ratchet type (bottom photo) will work better in any application except for the smallest of fixings.
I agree with the point above about distributing the stress, and the fixings come in various lengths so you can have more surface area at the back. Just watch that you dont order the type which has a very long straight section:
Top Gear TVR said:
agreed. However, I think with this method, its the large flat area (like a washer but fixed) on top of the door and the lower section is pressing against the inner door skin, which is extra thick as its still holding the remnants of the 'socket' support in place. So hopefully this is far enough from the surface to avoid any issues.
As you say, time will tell.
Its funny, i can actually see whats behind me now.....but whatever it is still seems to get smaller and smaller ...he he
Hi Top Gear, so it's almost a year since the mirror swap, how has it worked, have you had any cracking or other problems with this "mod"? Would love to know as I'm planning the same thing on my S2 too!As you say, time will tell.
Its funny, i can actually see whats behind me now.....but whatever it is still seems to get smaller and smaller ...he he
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