Micromirror install gone wrong, need suggestions... - LotusTalk

RichS · 09-17-2006, 06:16 PM

First mistake: Took a HUGE chunk out of my windshield getting the old mirror off. Thankfully a chunk of windshield stuck to the back of the mirror mount which made it easier to re-attach it. No need to worry about alignment of the mirror mount.

(Oh well, I bought the car to drive it, not look at it.)

Re-attached the mirror mounting bracket, put some green loctite on the screws for the mirror arm and put the mirror arm on the car. Waited 24 hours to attach the actual mirror only to discover that the windshield frame was preventing the mirror from going on... ugh.

Use a tiny hex wrench to break the loctite and slid the mirror arm off... only to realize that I've now stripped the screws and can't tighten them at all.

With all the messing about that I've done with the mirror arm it no longer fits snugly into the mirror mount. With the mirror just resting in the mount it shakes so much that it's unusable.

I tried to use some liquid electrical tape to make the mount more secure. My thought was that the tape would resist jiggling, but it didn't go so well as most of the tape got scraped off when putting the mirror arm back into the mount.

Any ideas on what I could use to prevent the arm from jiggling in the mirror mount?

PsychoRallye · 09-18-2006, 03:53 PM

Think you're SOL. There's a lot of vibration up there and loctited fasteners that are holding strong are a necessity. Time to return it and try to get another...

tesprit · 09-18-2006, 04:06 PM

I don't have a Micromirror, but usually there is enough extra material on a mirror base to tap it out to the next larger screw size and purchase some new set screws to match. I don't know what size the original screws are, but a trip to the local hardware store should get you all the supplies you would need. Sorry to hear about the broken windshield, but it seems to be a common problem when trying to remove the OEM mirror. I had to use a plastic mallet to beat my mirror off because it wouldn't budge after releasing the spring clip. I know my original mirror will never go back on as long as I own my Elise. PM me if you need more information on the repair.

pip · 09-18-2006, 04:12 PM

you can get new 2mm hex screws at the Hardware store and perhaps use some Loctite on the actual mount. Use a hex driver with a handle and you will be able to torque the screws better. Better luck.Hopefully

09-17-2006, 06:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,296	Micromirror install gone wrong, need suggestions... First mistake: Took a HUGE chunk out of my windshield getting the old mirror off. Thankfully a chunk of windshield stuck to the back of the mirror mount which made it easier to re-attach it. No need to worry about alignment of the mirror mount. (Oh well, I bought the car to drive it, not look at it.) Re-attached the mirror mounting bracket, put some green loctite on the screws for the mirror arm and put the mirror arm on the car. Waited 24 hours to attach the actual mirror only to discover that the windshield frame was preventing the mirror from going on... ugh. Use a tiny hex wrench to break the loctite and slid the mirror arm off... only to realize that I've now stripped the screws and can't tighten them at all. With all the messing about that I've done with the mirror arm it no longer fits snugly into the mirror mount. With the mirror just resting in the mount it shakes so much that it's unusable. I tried to use some liquid electrical tape to make the mount more secure. My thought was that the tape would resist jiggling, but it didn't go so well as most of the tape got scraped off when putting the mirror arm back into the mount. Any ideas on what I could use to prevent the arm from jiggling in the mirror mount?

09-18-2006, 03:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
PsychoRallye 05 Mag Blue LSS/HT Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wherever you go, there you are. Posts: 801	Think you're SOL. There's a lot of vibration up there and loctited fasteners that are holding strong are a necessity. Time to return it and try to get another... __________________ "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

09-18-2006, 04:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
pip Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Carmel, Ca. Posts: 419	Wow! a bit of a mess.... you can get new 2mm hex screws at the Hardware store and perhaps use some Loctite on the actual mount. Use a hex driver with a handle and you will be able to torque the screws better. Better luck.Hopefully

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09-18-2006, 04:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
tesprit Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Racine, WI/Sharpsburg, GA Posts: 2,126	I don't have a Micromirror, but usually there is enough extra material on a mirror base to tap it out to the next larger screw size and purchase some new set screws to match. I don't know what size the original screws are, but a trip to the local hardware store should get you all the supplies you would need. Sorry to hear about the broken windshield, but it seems to be a common problem when trying to remove the OEM mirror. I had to use a plastic mallet to beat my mirror off because it wouldn't budge after releasing the spring clip. I know my original mirror will never go back on as long as I own my Elise. PM me if you need more information on the repair.

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