Leaving broken mirror bases...

[Dominic TVRetto]

I have been informed that my mirrors are floppy because both the bases are broken.

If I leave them, are they likely to break off or something similarly catastrophic, or is it just a case that they flop about and are a bit annoying (but will hold securely)..?

Need to decide whether to stump up the cash to repair them, or if they can be left a while...


Thanks,


Dom

[QBee]

Dominic TVRetto said:

I have been informed that my mirrors are floppy because both the bases are broken.

If I leave them, are they likely to break off or something similarly catastrophic, or is it just a case that they flop about and are a bit annoying (but will hold securely)..?

Need to decide whether to stump up the cash to repair them, or if they can be left a while...


Thanks,


Dom

IF they are floppy because the casting has broken, then they may eventually flop down onto the door, dangling by the wires. It generally breaks where the casting attaches to the "mushroom" stalk that is inside the casing between mirror and door. Tha castings are available from Racetech for £60 each, the mushrooms for about a tenner.
http://www.racetechdirect.co.uk/m0102f-tvr-car-par...
You can mend the castings instead sometimes.
They can also be floppy if the centre screw has come loose, but if they have never been touched by human hand (or mechanic's hand), then the broken casting scenario is the more likely, IMHO.

Several options for you:

1. Take the mirrors off the car, make sure what the fault(s) is/are, then order the bits and repair them. Irritating job, as you also have to remove the plugs from the 7 wires, and how it comes apart is a complete mystery the first time you attempt it. It's not that difficult, just fiddly, and if the big screw thread where they fix on to the car is stuck solid, they can be a pain to remove.

2. Take the mirrors off and fit second-hand mirrors. They are off a Citroen CX, so don't come up often. However, the same mirrors are used on several other cars of the period, and there is a list somewhere. May require a re-spray too.

2. Take the mirrors off and fit VW Corrado mirrors. Ditto re re-spray, and you will need to adapt the wiring and mounting.

[Dominic TVRetto]

Hi Anthony,

They're floppy in the sense that there is a little play in each one - not that they are rocking back and forth and falling out etc...

It sounds like they get worse then, to the point where they will do as you describe - is that correct, or might they just remain as-is, with a little play in..?

Thanks,


Dom

[QBee]

It's one of those things where you can only tell by taking them apart. However, if they seem secure then they will probably be fine. It's also possible that the grub screw at the base has come loose - forgot to mention that one.

Mine are probably a lot wobblier than yours. I took them apart, replaced the broken bits, but appear not to have tightened the awkwardly placed central screw enough, despite tightening it as far as I could. Very irritating.

What you can do is pop the glass out and see what you can see of the insides. The glass is located by a sliding catch, which you can reach with an electrical size screwdriver blade. It is central, just below the bottom of the glass, and you slide it to the left to release the glass

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There is also a plastic washer between the stalk and the housing. If this is missing or worn then they wobble a bit.

[mk1fan]

Its only going to get worse so investigate it and either fix or replace with Corrado mirrors. It maybe just a simple fix at the moment. If left it could be ruined.

[bobfather]

ads said:

There is also a plastic washer between the stalk and the housing. If this is missing or worn then they wobble a bit.

I lived with a floppy mirror for 6 years before finding out it was simply this washer that had split and fallen out. Simple to repair

[ChimpOnGas]

mk1fan said:

Its only going to get worse so investigate it and either fix or replace with Corrado mirrors. It maybe just a simple fix at the moment. If left it could be ruined.

Lets face it the Citroen mirrors used by TVR on the Chims and Griffs are utter shyte.

I've mended mine a couple of times now and can hand on heart say they are stronger now than when they were new.

Does that mean they are no longer shyte?

No, they are still shyte, TVR knew this which is why they replaced them with the Corrado mirrors which are errr.... less shyte

I've gone Mk3 faired headlights because the earlier headlights are shyte, I have better more supportive XJS seats to go in because the originals are shyte, I plan to fit Corrado mirrors because the Citroen ones are shyte.

I can't help feeling I'm building a Mk3 Chimaera here because just as TVR discovered over the years, many of the Mk1 & Mk2 Chimaera parts were shyte

[QBee]

Corrado ones are £60ish a pair on Fleabay. Plus a respray. Or wrap.

[QBee]

Have you considered Tuscan seats, Dave?
Not original Chimaera mark 3, but more comfortable I think you would find.....

Edited by QBee on Thursday 12th November 22:08

[ChimpOnGas]

QBee said:

Have you considered Tuscan seats, Dave?
Not original Chimaera mark 3, but more comfortable I think you would find.....

Edited by QBee on Thursday 12th November 22:08

I don't think they suit the "improved classic car for the 90's" design brief that was clearly at the heart of the Chimaera.

To look right the seats in a Chimaera need to have traditional separate headrests, the Cerbera seats used in the Mk3 Chimaeras were just on the right side of looking too modern still sporting separate headrests so I'd consider this option.

But have you tried to find used Cerbera seats in decent condition recently?

Even if you can find a pair they are frighteningly expensive, and usually in such poor condition you'd need to spend a further grand having them professionally recovered.

The XJS seats are very good quality leather Recaros that are also very classic 90's in their style and are narrow so they fit in a Chimaera.

XJS Recaros look right, give much better lateral support than the standard flat backed Chimaera seats, they are cheap to buy, they fit the Chimaera and they look right in the car.

Too many reasons to ignore the XJS seats, indeed for me they are perfect.

I just need to pull my thumb out and fit mine

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=120...

Here's my trial fit, I've since had some conversion brackets made so the XJS seats drop straight in, that means it's just be an hour or so work to do the swap.

[QBee]

I got lucky with the Tuscan seats - an almost perfect set, in the right colour combo, came up at a reasonable price. The previous owner had his arm removed by yours truly. The major other plusses for me about them were that where the Tuscan runners fit, the front bolts bolt right through the outrigger corner panels, so actually fixing the seats to the chassis, and also, with the seat base pad removed, they give enough lateral arse support to work on track days.

I see what you are saying about the XJS seats, they do suit the car. Time to extract that digit!

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bobfather said:

I lived with a floppy mirror for 6 years before finding out it was simply this washer that had split and fallen out. Simple to repair

Can you remember the washer size or where you got a replacement? My Mate needs one for his Lotus (same mirror).

[bobfather]

ads said:

bobfather said:

I lived with a floppy mirror for 6 years before finding out it was simply this washer that had split and fallen out. Simple to repair

Can you remember the washer size or where you got a replacement? My Mate needs one for his Lotus (same mirror).

Sorry but no, I just gathered my selection of large washers and found one that fitted

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Ok thanks, Must be one that fits then. I'm sure we could find something.