Splitting door mirrors

Post Sun Oct 03, 2021 12:54 am

I remember seeing someone's E30 restoration, where they split the two parts of mirror apart at the spring hinge , then had a tool and a new tube to assemble again.
Is this available anywhere , or is there an alternative ?
Thanks

Post Sun Oct 03, 2021 1:11 am

Yep, to separate the mirror housing from the mounting you need to grind off the flared tube.

I have no idea where to buy the flare tool or tube.
If you have a toolmaker on speed dial, I'd say they could whip up a tool...
(Mart take note - see here)
As for the tube - that's the trickiest part to source.

I'm glad I have black mirrors - very forgiving to paint.

Post Sun Oct 03, 2021 8:01 am

There was someone on the FaceAche page in the States that made the tool, but it wasn't a commercial operation. It looked like threaded bar with 2 shaped formers you wound together flaring the pipe. He had found a suitable replacement bit of malleable pipe.

I think most have used a threaded bar and two slim nuts. I would pack out the threaded bar with some PTFE pipe of the right diameter.

It won't look factory but It is not something on show and it is demountable when you need in the future.

Post Sun Oct 03, 2021 1:02 pm

Thanks. The one linked in the picture is the guy I was thinking of. Shame he never made a few or rented it out.
I wonder if something like this would not work with a nut , possibly a couple of washers too over the spring ?

Post Sun Oct 03, 2021 1:24 pm

BMGM3 wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 03, 2021 1:02 pm
Thanks. The one linked in the picture is the guy I was thinking of. Shame he never made a few or rented it out.
I wonder if something like this would not work with a nut , possibly a couple of washers too over the spring ?

This is worth a look, it cant be that expensive ?

Mart.

Post Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:31 pm

I was thinking maybe these chainring bolts might be OK, you'd be able to vary the tension to get it just right and Locktite it off, assuming the OE tube is 8mm and the cable can still pass through.

Anyone have a broken mirrir that's otheriwse only going in the bin ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353586152891

Post Mon Oct 04, 2021 5:10 pm

BMGM3 wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:31 pm
I was thinking maybe these chainring bolts might be OK, you'd be able to vary the tension to get it just right and Locktite it off, assuming the OE tube is 8mm and the cable can still pass through.

Anyone have a broken mirrir that's otheriwse only going in the bin ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353586152891

These are very cool too !!
Trying to make them for that price is crazy

Mart.