HELP! How do I dismantle a wing mirror

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:07 pm

Well I managed to get the wing mirror off the Bongo with surprinsingly little trouble. I'm taking pics as I go along so I can post advice back on BF for others.

BUT - how do you dismantle the wing mirror itself. I need to do this in order to fix the problem with the retract mechanisms. I've undone the Phillips screws that I can see, but I think I need to take out the glass becuase I can see other screws etc behind there. I dont think you can take the whole mecahnics outof the casing in any case, but I could at least pull it out enough to work on using the spare cable length.

My real question is, how do I remove the mirror glass/backing pad. I suspect you have to prise it out by careful levering with a screwdriver near the attachment points, but I dont want to break the glass.

Anyone able to give a quick response? I'd be grateful as the car is in bits waiting for my next move!

Thanks chums

Mike

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:56 pm

Worked out that I needed to prise off the two ball connectors that connect the mirror glass to the pistons that control up/down and left/right mirror adjustment. But theres a big plastic ball and socket that provides the main pivot for the mirror glass, and I cant get that to budge even with as much levering as I dare. And yet I dont see how it can be anything other than snap on. The assembly baseplate holds to the mirror casing with 3 self-tapping plastic screws. If you could get all these out in might be possible to swign the whole assembly out of the casing. I've managed to under 3 (1 is easy as its accessible outside the casing, the other two involved a bit of squeezing between mirror and casing to get a purchase, but they came away. But the last one is so well behind the glass that I cannot believe you are meant ot be able to undo it with teh glass in place, though I suppose it might just be possible with an L-shape screwdrive, which I dont have.

Jobs ground to a halt

Any help would be appreciated

Mike

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 2:21 pm

mike, have you got a socket set?..

if so you could use a screwdriver peice on the ratchet, which will give you the L shape you need
http://www.toolbaydirect.co.uk/product_ ... &catid=109

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:26 pm

Thats a good thought waycar. I'll try thta, though I suspect therer wont be room to get it in to use even a bent screwdriver (oooooh matron).

Otherwise, I think what I'll do is put the car back together, keep the wing mirror off, and bring it to Charity Farm Meet next week where we can crack open lagers and sit around chunnering over what to do with it, while watching dreamwarrior fly his kites. Life doesnt get much better than that

Mike

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:53 pm

well i have a socket set with the said sockets, so if you require me to bring it, let me know.

then we will crack open a couple of stellas and give a good seeing to.

have you took the mirror glass completely off mike?
when i replaced my passenger side i am sure it just pivoted round the center ball joint

Lewy · Post by **Lewy** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:08 pm

Mike - the mirror glass should pull off with a gentle - but firm - tug. I seem to remember doing mine by getting my fingers under the bottom edge and then easing it off by going round the corners.

I had to replace my broken glass with one from Ian - they are quite robust - but then the one I was taking off was broken already.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:10 pm

Thanks Lewy, a great help, I guessed it must be that. I tried today but without being certain (as your post has now made me), I didnt like to tug too hard in case I was wrong. I actually put quite a bit of pressure on it but it wouldnt budge. I think we'll have an mirror pulling party at Charity Farm. Pray to the God of the Unbroken Mirror first, then hope.

Bloody silly modern new fangled design. In my day we just fixed a shaving mirror to a piece of old angle iron and held it out the window.

Mike

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:30 pm

Prodded by franco, I've attempted to set up a Photobucket account.

Ive been taking pics of the work removing the front door panel. It went well, no mess, no fuss, no need to tear plastic. And you dont need ot remove the door pull lever assembly - it just pushes through the panel.

Fixing the mirror itself - as you can see from the above postings - has not been so simple. But here are pics of the work done in case it helps anyone.

http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x259 ... 20Removal/

Best

Mike

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:29 pm

My local garage mechanic - an experienced man and a v nice guy - confirmed that the glass has to be pulled off at the main ball socket. I have to admit to being v apprehensive about breaking it in the attempt (he admitted this could happen). Oh well, I'll give it a go when I get home tonight & keep my fingers crossed.

Mike

vic swan · Post by **vic swan** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:10 pm

Mike I wonder if one of them suction thingies might help. It would give an even pull. I mean the sort of thing the body shops use for pulling out dents, I believe glaziers also use them for carrying glass. Saw one in the local pound shop the other day.
Cheers,
Vic

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:07 pm

Thats a very interesting thought Vic. I actually bought a couple of large suckers from the camping shop, and they might do. My only concern then is they might suck the glass off its back, destroying it the meantime. BUT, i I used them for some pre-tension and then got to work levering from behind the mirror then it might improve my chances. If I can rig the whole thing up!!!

Steve1259 · Post by **Steve1259** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:48 pm

Hi Mike,
How are you getting on with your door mirror? I think I have the same problem – The driver side with not fold out or back in, it was working fine but just stopped. The mirror glass it self still adjusts ok.
I have removed the mirror glass by using the tip that Vic gave by using a small suction puller, placed it onto the centre of the glass and gave a sharp pull popped off no problem. (thanks Vic)
It is now stripped down and appears to be the small motor at fault however I have no real way of testing it. I have checked for a live feed to the motor using a test light and when I operate the folding in switch a live feed does go to the motor via the red wire however nothing on the green one could be the earth I guess. The gears all seem to be working ok as when I turn them by hand the mechanism does turn the whole mirror.
The motor is tiny looks like one you would find in a model car! It operates a number of gears to turn the mirror.
If you have not yet undone the 3 screws at the base of the mirror be careful as they have thread lock on them and it is easy to let the screw driver slip and spoilt the Phillips heads.
I have a model shop close to me so I may take the motor in to them to see what they make of it.
If not I may have to try to find a second hand replacement unit.
Is there anyone out there who has have any experience of working on these mirrors?
Would welcome any help.
Thanks
Steve

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:06 pm

Hi Steve. I couldnt face trying to get it off last night - too many domestic chores to do as well. I dont have a special sucker device like you describe (well done Vic for suggesting it) but I have a large sucker and will try and do something with that.

I noticed the 3 Phillips screws have (blue) Loctite on them. Funny thing is, they werent holding my screws on tight so I had no problem.

My motor is working fine. My problem is the mirror moves out but the motor keeps whirring. Something has clearly slipped out of kilter in the gear/shaft arrangement and things don't move to the point where the senso switches the motor off.

I'll try and get the mirror off tonight and then proceed in a forwards direction!

Good luck with yours. Take photos if you can (I am) and may be we can put together a factsheet at the end, as this is an irritatin little problem with ageing Bongos I think.

Mike

Steve1259 · Post by **Steve1259** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:37 pm

Hi Mike,
Since your motor is working, is it possible for you to let me know which wires leading to it show as live when you operate the folding in switch. Does the green one have a live feed at any time when the mirror is folding in or out?
Thanks
Steve.
P.S Will try to take photos but have not yet mastered how to post them yet.
Thanks
Steve

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:28 pm

Hi Steve1259
Posting photos is covered in this thread http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... php?t=9285 - it's easy.

HELP! How do I dismantle a wing mirror

HELP! How do I dismantle a wing mirror

Folding Mirror