Removal of aftermarket door mirrors

[SilverBeast]

My Special came with Alexander Raceview Mirror MK II's fitted to both doors. Link for ebay listing in UK https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124755261486?hash=item1d0bfe382e:g:6EgAAOSwih1guARn I've messaged the seller to see if they can supply a copy of the instructions but received no response!

As visibility is particularly bad (even with stick on convex blid spot mirrors) I want to remove them and replace them with some alternatives I have, but haven't has any success in finding any instructions on how to do this.  I also have the "usual" issue in the that I can barely see any of the passenger door mirror anyway!

Has anyone had any experience with these memories and any idea as to how they can be removed? - ideally without damaging them.  From inside the door there appears to be a long bolt and two self tapping screws into metal (spire?) clips.  I assume the top part of the mirror needs to come off the foot to access the screw heads but haven't been able to work out how to do this.

The front view shows a circular disc in the end, but I can't work out if this is a moulding artefact or a cap to cover a screw to allow mirror assembly to be removed.  I haven't been able to get a craft knife (Exacto?) blade into the "gap" round this disc.

[BDA]

I think there is a screw under the mirror that goes toward the front of the mirror. Unscrew that screw and the cover can come off. With the cover off, you should have access to the screws that hold it on the door.

The passenger door mirror was really only there for show (this was admitted to me by the people at Lotus distributorship where I bought my car) which always annoyed me. I would advise getting a "flag" style mirror as your replacements. A bigger mirror further from the car helps. I would say that I have fancy electric flag style mirrors on my car. Because I screwed up, the passenger side mirror was not useful at all and I ended up relying on the interior mirror. Then when I discovered I could shift the orientation just a little (which did not uncover the mounting holes) I could get a good view behind  the passenger side. Maybe because I was now used to using the interior mirror, I rarely use the passenger door mirror. I got a tinted convex clip-on mirror for the interior mirror but I could easily do without it. That tiny little mirror provides a pretty decent view IMHO. Just a thought.

[jbcollier]

Look very closely at the base of the mirror pedestal.  Often there is a screw on the back or the front.  Loosening this screw will allow the mirror to be removed and expose the mounting bracket.

[SilverBeast]

I've got an unused set of chrome Vittaloni Sebring Mach 1's (one of which has a convex glass) that I need to 3d print some feet for if I decide to use them, or a pair of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Universal-Classic-Car-Door-Side-Mirror-Rearview-Wing-Mirror-Kit-Vintage-Style-/274708001101?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 which will probably be a better choice.

I tend to use them for reversing a lot, particularly down the passenger side into the garage.

I have looked for a screw as that was what I was expecting. The last picture of the Ebay listing shows the box which states "easily fitted from outside yet tamper proof" which makes me think something is clipped on after mounting that may not be (easily) removable.

[4129R]

I had to modify the passenger side door mirror to get it to turn with enough angle (about 45') to see down the passenger side of the car.

It took a while, but in the end, I have two door mirrors that can be used.

[jbcollier]

Tough one.

My guess would be that the fasteners are behind the mirror itself.  Gently try to pop out the glass.  Good luck!

Worse comes to worse, cut them off.

[SilverBeast]

Actually, I might be able to turn self tappers with pliers from inside door then get the flat plate sprung "nut" off the back and lift it off.

[4129R]

There is normally a long screw holding the big cover to the base which is screwed on to the door.

You just need to find that screw. You may need to move the mirror to a different angle in the housing to expose the screw head. It should be about 4mm in diameter, and normally an X head screw/bolt.  It may be covered by a plastic plug in the large housing.

Get a torch (flashlight) and look very closely at the housing and then behind the mirror to look for the mysterious X screw holding the cover to the base. 

[Footer]

I've got an unused set of chrome Vittaloni Sebring Mach 1's (one of which has a convex glass) that I need to 3d print some feet for if I decide to use them, or a pair of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Universal-Classic-Car-Door-Side-Mirror-Rearview-Wing-Mirror-Kit-Vintage-Style-/274708001101?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 which will probably be a better choice.

HI Silverbeast,  I'm wondering if you decided to use these mirrors(universal classic car door)  Like you, I use my mirrors a lot and can see almost nothing on the passenger side whether I'm in traffic or just trying to back up.
Could you use the same holes or space from the original, do you like their adjustability?  To me it looks like they rotate at the base and the mirror pivots inside the housing.
Any other thoughts

Footer

[EuropaTC]

I've got a pair of those Ebay mirrors, or at least they look the same.

On my UK car it's possible to set those mirrors to see both sides of the car and I do use them reversing up a small ramp into my workshop. I rarely bother with the n/s mirror in normal driving because the size/position means a distinct head turn to see it.  But it's fine for parking, etc.

The only downside I've found with them is the single screw that holds the mirror to the base and stops them from drooping. I ended up putting a spring washer in to stop them moving - the type with multiple sharp edges, not the normal coil spring type.

Brian

[SilverBeast]

Like many things I haven't fitted them yet. The car is still up in the air on a frame.

I did manage to remove the mirrors. The mirror can be carefully eased out - I'll post the pictures ar some point - and then it was clipped together. Then two screws, hidden by the body, held it to the door.  There were holes underneath from where a previous mirror was fitted.

I won't be fitting them till the car is back on the ground and I can position them for best visibility. I'm pretty sure I will have to drill at least one more hole and plug some of the others.

[Footer]

EuropaTC and SilverBeast,
Thanks for the information. I think I will get the mirrors and adapt them as best as I can so I can see more then I see with the originals.  I did get a clip on mirror for the windshield mounted mirror based on BDA's recommendation some time age.  It provides a more panoramic view out the back.  That helps as well.

Of course, if I'm going faster than everyone else, mirrors are unnecessary.  Ha!

Footer.

[BDA]

Just to remind those on this thread, the clip on mirror that Footer mentioned that I had mentioned (whew!) earlier is very similar to this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/301857492584?epid=633105659&hash=item46481bce68:g:HnkAAOSwc01iPWVc.

I used it for a few years. It gives a better rear view and is light enough that it doesn't "droop" the regular mirror but I recently took it off. Lately, I have been concerned that the extra weight might be stressing the ball joint on the regular mirror. I still have it in my car and I think it's likely that I'll put it back again. For $12, it well worth experimenting with it.

When the TCs were delivered, the passenger side mirrors were useless. I was told by people at the Lotus distributorship where I bought my car that the passenger mirror was for aesthetics. In a TC, the rear view with standard mirrors is not ideal but is not that terrible either. A convex clip on interior mirror helps. I have a set of electric "flag" style mirrors similar to these (https://www.ebay.com/itm/163428167059?hash=item260d13ed93:g:S~gAAOSwr-BcEU6I). My passenger side mirror is aimed pretty well but maybe because I got out of the habit of using the passenger side mirror, I almost never use it.