Dolomite rear view mirror repairs

[matienzo]

I've seen lots of threads about "My mirror mount just broke" etc but I haven't seen any mention of how to make an effective repair or how to pre-empt the problem.
The main problem is that if you try to glue the two halves back together it might work for a while but plastic is a difficult material for adhesive to stick to even if you key it. The end result is yet another broken mirror mount.

I have to say a big thanks to Mike Barker for the mirror mount!

So here's my fix for mending the plastic rear view mirror base that often cracks and then falls in half.

If you see the crack developing remove the mirror assembly from the roof mounts by undoing the two countersunk screws.
If the mount is already in half clamp it in a vice (with the stalk!!) so its held together during the following operation.

Crack

Crack.JPG (51.65 KiB) Viewed 4907 times

Remove the mirror (single screw at rear)

Get hold of some small diameter screws (I used 1.5 mm diameter brass). Pre drill 4 holes with a slightly reduced diameter than the screws in each corner of the plastic base. You'll note that this is the thickest part of the base so you do not need to drill right through. Just take your time drilling.

Pre-drill holes

Pre-drill holes.JPG (73.95 KiB) Viewed 4907 times

Using a knife or the edge of a screwdriver, key the plastic surface so the adhesive has a key. Clean the surface with a solvent.

Screw in the four screws so that the heads are just below the level of the mount- carefully!

4 Screws

4screws.JPG (60.07 KiB) Viewed 4907 times

Mix up some adhesive. I used Araldite. Using the spatular make sure that the adhesive is pushed around the screws. Wait for the adhesive to set and either repaint or refit.

I have no idea as to the likely success of this over time but its certainly a means to provide some way for the adhesive to bond (indirectly) to the the base and to prevent twisting. Just don't tighten the mounting screws particularly tight either as this will end up with forces which try to split the mounting base. Also lubricate the swivel at the back of the mirror as this gets rather stiff over time.

[DoloWIGHTY]

Looks as though it will work.

I have a couple of spares which are split in the manner shown, so I will have a go at this.

I see you have used wood screws - do they take up okay in the metal stem? If so how many turns would you say you got from them (in other words how deep did you drill into the stem?)

[matienzo]

Yes they are wood screws but they don't go as far in as the metal stem, just into the plastic. If the screws bite then thats all you need. It's what I had lying about.
I figured trying to drill through the plastic and stem and then self tap was just a step too far.
The stem/stalk is supposed to release in the event of an impact and that may prevent that.

[Jon Tilson]

Nice one....

One for the wiki is that.

Jonners

[geeksteve]

Nice. I filled mine with epoxy previously without screws, cracked when I tightened the mounting screws up, so probably worth screwing up verrrry gently.

S

[wellskint]

forgive my stupidity chaps, but what is the purpose of the 4 screws? mine has completely snapped in half, would the previous suggestions still work?

[cleverusername]

forgive my stupidity chaps, but what is the purpose of the 4 screws? mine has completely snapped in half, would the previous suggestions still work?

Well looking at the photos the obvious solution would be to screw some sort of internal plate inside the mount to hold it together.

Another possibility might be the fablab in Manchester, it is a facility that gives the public access to a 3d printer. In theory you could simply scan your mount, and print a new one.

[xvivalve]

The screws give something for the epoxy resin to bond to other than just the plastic, giving it an effective key.

[Richard the old one]

This is a very common problem and back in 2011 I reported in edition 143 of Dolly Mixture that I had used the following method to repair a number of rear view mirrors. They have all gone onto give many years of good service without needing any further repairs. I use superglue to stick the two bit together and then fill the inside of the mounting peice with either araldite or car body filler.

[matienzo]

The screws are a simple way to increase the strength of the repair.
I tried Richard the old one's method (using araldite) but found that the plate still broke again when the mounting screws were tightened up, even a little. So that didn't work for me. It might work for some.
My post on this was almost two years ago and despite my wife and I needing to reposition the mirror each time we drive, the repaired mount is still fine.

[DoloWIGHTY]

Seeing as this topic has risen to the top, I grabbed a spare stem and had a go this evening, this one does look as though an attempt at repair had been made before, I didn't want to disturb it as it felt solid.

Scrubbed the inside with a coarse piece of sandpaper until no longer shiny, four screws inserted - carefully (I cut the very tip of the screws off to stop the point forcing the stem away from the base)



And fill with Araldite:



Leave for a few days to harden and road test (any excuse )

[geeksteve]

Couldn't even find 4 matching screws? You could work for British Layland

[wellskint]

thank you very much i'll give it a go today

[matienzo]

thank you very much i'll give it a go today

How did it go? Repaired?

[GrahamFountain]

I followed this method back in Dec. 2016, and it lasted till recently. However, the bulb on the end of the stalk has become progressively slack over the years (and probably about 10-12k miles) and I couldn't use the dip lever without having to readjust the mirror.

I tried one of these TRIUMPH STAG,TR4A,TR5,TR6, 2000,2500,2.5PI INTERIOR MIRROR MNT Bkt & ARM https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-STAG ... SwE4hdq2WC as a replacement, but the arm's too short. So, unless I set the seat forward and lean right beck, I can only see a short distance behind me or the underside of the roof. People who are short in the upper body might be alright, but if your anywhere close to 6ft or above, it's not likely to be a good solution.

I do have a couple of spare Dolomite arms and while looking for a spare Stag mounting I thought I had I came across a TR7 mounting and arm, which has the same spherical hole. So I pulled the arm off that and and the Dolomite stalk fits.

The top side is wrong, as there's a hole in the TR7's headrail for the back of the bulb and the holes are too close together by about 2-3mm. However, with a bit of work with a black glue stick in the hot glue gun and a file to move the holes, it now fits. It's not perfect, the shape does not match the mark on the headlining and you can see the join between the plastic and the hot glue a bit. But it works fine.

However, TR7 ones aren't much more available than Dolomite ones - there's currently just one on eBay in the UK. I just happened to have one at the back of a draw. So it still needs a better option for a replacement.
What would do is a stalk like the Stag one, but about 2" longer.

Graham