TVR S mirror swap mx-5, special fixings leave door card on!

TVR S mirror swap mx-5, special fixings leave door card on!

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Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Friday 15th July 2011
quotequote all
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...

Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Friday 15th July 2011
quotequote all
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

Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Friday 15th July 2011
quotequote all
I notice I should wipe off the copious extra copper grease now from the picture. I always end up covered the stuff whenever I do anything????


Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Saturday 16th July 2011
quotequote all
yep its the lower one, i think the top one only does smaller sizes of rawl plug

part no.s at screwfix are;

40813 (Rawlplug Interset M6 x 37 Pack of 20 )
92462 (Rawlplug Setting Tool)

Steve (no I dont work for screwfix...)

Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
did you check local branches - they can hold them for collection?

Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Tuesday 19th July 2011
quotequote all
i picked the M6 x 37mm ones as they have a suitable fixed 'shank' (8 to 12mm range) and are not so long that they foul glass at install or glass runners once compressed.


Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Tuesday 19th July 2011
quotequote all
yeh - be careful, especially when drilling the holes..

Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Monday 9th July 2012
quotequote all
No problems at all

Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Monday 9th July 2012
quotequote all
They look good too. Suddenly we have choices for an easy way to do it!

Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Tuesday 10th July 2012
quotequote all
i certainly didnt share a room with clive - but another did

Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Tuesday 10th July 2012
quotequote all
nothing wrong with my mirrors, it just unnatural to pull over for something pink!

LMAO............

Top Gear TVR

Original Poster:

2,244 posts

155 months

Tuesday 10th July 2012
quotequote all
'yes ma lady'