Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

For everything to do with Dolomites, Toledos, FWD cars and Dolomite-based kitcars.
Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
sprint95m
TDC Member
Posts: 6502
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:22 pm
Location: Caithness, Scotland

Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#1 Post by sprint95m »

A very common problem on our cars is a split mounting boss rendering the interior mirror unuseable.
A while back there was this thread with assorted ideas.....
https://forum.triumphdolomite.co.uk/vie ... lit=mirror


I am thinking about revisiting this topic because I have a broken mounting boss.
Having been told that a late Spitfire has the same mounting hole configuration but too short a stem
(the visors can't be properly used)
https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-GRID0058 ... AeEALw_wcB
What I am toying with is using a Spitfire stem and mounting boss along with a bespoke spacer in conjunction with a Dolomite mirror
to allow the correct use of the sun visors.


One of my friends is really red hot at design and 3D printing so getting a spacer made won't be a problem.
What I am wondering is this, what is the likely demand if any, for such a spacer?


thanks

Ian.
TDC Forum moderator
PLEASE help us to maintain a friendly forum,
either PM or use Report Post if you see anything you are unhappy with. Thanks.
new to this
TDC Member
Posts: 1793
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:53 pm
Location: Harrow Middlesex

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#2 Post by new to this »

Ian

I was going to get a new mirror mounting block made i was thinking off using alli,but 3D printing may be better idea,why cant you copy the original design

Dave
User avatar
sprint95m
TDC Member
Posts: 6502
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:22 pm
Location: Caithness, Scotland

Aye…

#3 Post by sprint95m »

Dave, it may well be that I am over thinking this….

The boss is designed to fail if the mirror suffers impact.
By replacing the boss with a different material I won’t know what the failure point is.
Using the Spitfire boss should keep the failure point where it is designed to be.

There is mention of this in the thread that I posted a link to.


Thanks
Ian
TDC Forum moderator
PLEASE help us to maintain a friendly forum,
either PM or use Report Post if you see anything you are unhappy with. Thanks.
new to this
TDC Member
Posts: 1793
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:53 pm
Location: Harrow Middlesex

Re: Aye…

#4 Post by new to this »

sprint95m wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 2:37 pm Dave, it may well be that I am over thinking this….

The boss is designed to fail if the mirror suffers impact.
By replacing the boss with a different material I won’t know what the failure point is.
Using the Spitfire boss should keep the failure point where it is designed to be.

There is mention of this in the thread that I posted a link to.


Thanks
Ian
Ian

The way i was going to make the mirror bracket,was drill a hole in the plastic base so the mirror stem fits inside and use grub screws to hold the stem in place that should be weak enough for the mirror to brake off if involved in an accident

Dave
User avatar
xvivalve
TDC West Mids Area Organiser
Posts: 13580
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:13 pm
Location: Over here...can't you see me?

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#5 Post by xvivalve »

new to this
TDC Member
Posts: 1793
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:53 pm
Location: Harrow Middlesex

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#6 Post by new to this »

Are they available to buy

Dave
User avatar
Mad Mart
TDC Member
Posts: 8529
Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:48 pm
Location: Winscombe, North Somerset, England
Contact:

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#7 Post by Mad Mart »

I can 3D print one! The only trouble is I only have orange atm with red on the way. I guess I can buy some black too. :D
Sprintless for the first time in 35+ years. :boggle2: ... Still Sprintless.

Engines, Gearboxes, Overdrives etc. rebuilt. PM me.


2012 Porsche Boxster 981 S


Image
User avatar
Mad Mart
TDC Member
Posts: 8529
Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:48 pm
Location: Winscombe, North Somerset, England
Contact:

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#8 Post by Mad Mart »

Thanks to Andrew Dutton for the design. :thumbsup:

I printed this one in PLA because that's all I have at the moment. Andrew suggests ABS which, I agree, would be better. This was a very tight fit, initially, but a bit of scraping with a scalpel soon had it fitting better. I think if I printed it on its edge rather than flat on the bed, I can get rid of the ridges on either side.


Image
Image
Sprintless for the first time in 35+ years. :boggle2: ... Still Sprintless.

Engines, Gearboxes, Overdrives etc. rebuilt. PM me.


2012 Porsche Boxster 981 S


Image
User avatar
TrustNo1
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 1635
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:48 pm

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#9 Post by TrustNo1 »

I use Triumph 1300 mirrors, not for the purist but they fit and do the same job
Some people are like Slinky's, they serve no real purpose in life but bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.
User avatar
captain_70s
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 473
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:38 pm
Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#10 Post by captain_70s »

I have a wingard mirror with a suction cup on it for extra stability. I think it's from a BL era Mini or Austin 1100 or something. The holes in the plinth lined up with the holes in the headlining perfectly.
1976 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL "Trevor, the Tenaciously Terrible Triumph" - Rotten as a pear and dissolving into a field in rural Aberdeenshire.
1977 Triumph Dolomite 1300 "Daisy, the Dilapidated Dolomite of Disaster" - Major resto, planned for completion 2021.
1983 Triumph Acclaim L "Angus, the Arguably Adequate Acclaim - On the road as a daily driver.
User avatar
sprint95m
TDC Member
Posts: 6502
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:22 pm
Location: Caithness, Scotland

Okay…

#11 Post by sprint95m »

So the answer is no.


For myself, I will try to use the Spitfire parts that I have.




Thanks
Ian
TDC Forum moderator
PLEASE help us to maintain a friendly forum,
either PM or use Report Post if you see anything you are unhappy with. Thanks.
User avatar
captain_70s
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 473
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:38 pm
Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#12 Post by captain_70s »

Eh?

There is a free .stl file with the 3D model to print a new plinth just 5 posts up...

The failure point in the result of an accident in a car as flimsy and light as a Dolomite is of complete inconsequence. If you have a crash severe enough to throw you into the rear view mirror you're probably going to have the pedals coming up to break your knees or whatever you've hit coming through the door... As well as the force of the leverage due to the length of the arm being easily enough to shatter plastic under considerable force and the cup and ball mount swinging out of the way if not.
1976 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL "Trevor, the Tenaciously Terrible Triumph" - Rotten as a pear and dissolving into a field in rural Aberdeenshire.
1977 Triumph Dolomite 1300 "Daisy, the Dilapidated Dolomite of Disaster" - Major resto, planned for completion 2021.
1983 Triumph Acclaim L "Angus, the Arguably Adequate Acclaim - On the road as a daily driver.
User avatar
geeksteve
TDC Member
Posts: 713
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:57 am
Location: Dorset
Contact:

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#13 Post by geeksteve »

captain_70s wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 11:40 am The failure point in the result of an accident in a car as flimsy and light as a Dolomite is of complete inconsequence. If you have a crash severe enough to throw you into the rear view mirror you're probably going to have the pedals coming up to break your knees or whatever you've hit coming through the door... As well as the force of the leverage due to the length of the arm being easily enough to shatter plastic under considerable force and the cup and ball mount swinging out of the way if not.
Even if it does come off as it should, the next stop for your face is the windscreen so your day is going to be slightly ruined either way!
User avatar
xvivalve
TDC West Mids Area Organiser
Posts: 13580
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:13 pm
Location: Over here...can't you see me?

Re: Alternative boss for interior rear view mirror?

#14 Post by xvivalve »

The 'failsafe' was designed prior to compulsory seat belt legislation, after which the likelihood of contact with the mirror was significantly reduced...for front seat passengers, at least.
Post Reply