Interior rear view mirror

[donjonmaster]

Hi everybody, I recently bought a 1995 Chimaera. While adjusting the mirror, it basically came off in my hand. Upon inspection the metal runners attached to the windscreen are fine. The plastic runners on the mirror stem itself have been superglued before and are now shot. I bought a replacement but the plastic runners seem to be in a slightly different position/width. I don't want to force it and break the new one, but thought I would check if there are more than one version and I've bought the wrong one. Cheers, Lee.

[ianwayne]

The one on my last car had broken at the edges. I think you mean the little square plastic plate that the mirror strut slides onto. The other part is fixed to the windscreen.

I managed to get one off ebay that worked, it was off a Peugeot 205, but it was 4 yrs ago so not sure if it was off a specific model like the GTi.

[ChimpOnGas]

I had this problem, I used some epoxy putty to fix it.

Thumb some putty in the part bonded to the screen, then just before it goes off slide the mirror in.

When you slide the two together you are effectively creating a mould of the male & female interlocking profiles and all the wear/gaps are taken up with the putty.... the added bonus is it also strongly bonds the two parts together.

I like the Quicksteel brand of epoxy putty, its not the cheapest... but in my experience it sets fast and strong every time.



Worked for me

[Glassman]

Picture?

[donjonmaster]

Sorry just home. Too dark for pics tonight. Ill take some photos tomorrow and post. Cheers, Lee.

[donjonmaster]

Please see attached pics I don't know if it helps but the original mirror has a number on the back Ie201520. The replacement has the code Ie201623. Cheers, Lee.

[donjonmaster]

[phillpot]

ianwayne said:

I managed to get one off ebay that worked, it was off a Peugeot 205, but it was 4 yrs ago so not sure if it was off a specific model like the GTi.

Don't think it is any thing as specific as a "GTi" , any old Peugeot will do.............. clicky

I'd go second hand genuine Peugeot rather than new after market, the one I bought vibrated like mad, was useless, genuine one no problem.


Nice little "upgrade" is an MGF mirror with built in interior lights (you'll need to change the lug thing glued to the screen)....... clicky again

Obviously this will entail running a bit of wiring up to it

Here's the lug thing .... clicky once more ... I got mine for free, just asked the seller if he could prize it off the screen and include it, guess people don't usually need it if replacing like for like, i.e. fitting mirror in an MGF.

Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 29th November 11:56

[ianwayne]

Can you just change the whole mirror? I though the reason the one fitted had the mirror stem on a sort of swan-neck was to get it the right height.

You only need the little plastic plate, otherwise won't the mirror be too high? You could tilt it down but then you'd see the back shelf and not out the rear window.

[donjonmaster]

Thanks for your advice everybody. I've arranged to pop into John at a Sussex TVR tomorrow. He's going to have a look and advise. Thanks again. Cheers, Lee.

[Glassman]

Early vauxhalls, peugeots and renaults have this type of fitting. if you can get to a breaker, or find one online, 5-10 quid gets you a replacement mirror.

[donjonmaster]

Gutted. Paid 40 quid

[ChimpOnGas]

Or just use some epoxy putty as suggested.

Its an easy, effective and permanent repair for this common issue that takes just 5 minutes, and one that literally costs pence.

[ianwayne]

Would it be too permanent? If you can still get the mirror body off and leave the little plastic piece on the glass attachment, great, or else if you need a new windscreen, you'll need a new mirror straight away!

Mine is cracked and a bit missing, this is the small bit that's the problem:



Checking my records, I paid £5.50 for just that piece in 2015!

There are complete mirrors with the plate etc for under £10 on fleabay. I've repaired mine with 2 part epoxy resin but I'm not sure it'll stand up to any mirror adjustment. It does for now.

[ChimpOnGas]

Well epoxy putty worked for me, I now adjust my mirror without it wobbling.... which was exactly what I wanted to achieve.

I'm not sure how regularly people feel they need to remove their rear view mirror, or even why they would want to, but saying that assuming I did want to remove it I'm confident the epoxy putty repair could be carefully chipped away with a craft knife or ground away with a little skilled Dremel grinding.

What I can tell you with complete confidence is.... the mirror wobbled, then ten minutes later I'd fixed it with less that £1 worth of epoxy putty, three years on this 10 minute and very inexpensive repair is still as good as the day I made it.

The mirror doesn't wobble any more and I can adjust it with confidence, surely it's hard to argue with that

[ianwayne]

Only that a complete mirror is no more expensive than a tube of quiksteel? Well it is if you don't go to a main stealer. Sods law dictates, of course, that I'll find another potential use for some quiksteel after deciding not to get some.

People try to adjust the mirror after yrs of it not moving, when a new buyer drives it and the cheap plastic bit cracks. Mine was just very wobbly, it didn't fall off, but it gets on your nerves after a while, at least it does mine. The 2-part araldite repair didn't stand up to adjusting the mirror after refitting it this afternoon.

Edit Sat 2nd: I bought a Vectra one but it's wrong. Looked the right fitment in photo but, and it's a big but, to slide it onto the glass downwards, the mirror points at the roof. And it isn't adjustable down far enough. It can't be slid upwards because the metal part on the glass prevents this. I do not recommend buying a 2008 Vectra mirror.

Edited by ianwayne on Saturday 2nd December 15:43

[donjonmaster]

Success....John from Sussex TVR used his surgeon like fingers to wiggle the replacement on. Happy boy!!

Another question to ask you boffins soon as I have a noise coming from the back if the car. More to follow when I've composed a coherent description....I'll post a new thread in Chimaeara.

Thanks again, Lee.