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Mirror Mounts


Robert Cadiz

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I have been very frustrated with the poor choice of mounts for mirrors on the 7.  If mounted to the side screens they vibrate too much and at (cough) speed they are pushed in so you loose your field of vision.  The windscreen frame mounts stop the vibration but you can't open the side screens fully.  All very annoying.

A little googling came up with a side screen hinge combination mirror mount.  And would you believe it made by Ivan (Eccles on this forum).  He printed them, came with all the right holes for a SPA mirror and was simple to fit.  I won't go through the hassle of getting the mirror position right when you're the only person working on the car!!!

I cannot believe that such an elegant solution is not a standard Caterham product.  It barely vibrates, it allows the doors to open fully without the mirror touching the screen, doesn't impede view through the side screen.  

I have taken a few pictures here.  Also note my hinges are spaces out by 15mm to raise the side screen.  I have since shortened the screws so they don't protrude from the bracket and made the nylock nuts captive (which are already recessed into the bracket).

Once again, Many thank to Ivan for all his help.

Robert

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P1001925.JPG.b89b8e5d8ac32501a128b45b9bcb1295.JPG

 

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Did you try tightening the torx bolt on the back of the original door mounted mirror? It holds the ball joint to the back of the mirror. Mine used to vibrate and fold in slightly at speed, but since I tightened the torx bolt they have been rock solid and vibration free.

I've read that this problem is commonly overlooked by owners and the mirrors ditched before trying this.

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I had the original ones fitted for the SVA test but never liked them, always thought they were far too clunky so switched over to the SPA Design mirrors which I fitted onto the stanchions.

The pain of this was the not being able to open the sidescreen properly (and passengers who didn't realise) so I designed this mount which  replaces part of the hinge and mounts the mirror so that the sidescreen could open all the way without drilling any more holes in it. I'm pleased with the results but a pair take about 6+ hours to print!! 

Hopefully you had an easier time setting them up than I did Robert as the hole for the allen key in the mirror was a last minute addition for your set!! *smile*

Ivan

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  • 2 months later...

Thanks to Ivan and Robert for the ideas, I bought some 5mm aluminium plate of Amazon and made some brackets like the ones shown on the photos. I cut them out of the plate using a standard jigsaw with a metal cutting blade in it. Painted them with POR15 paint which is pretty bullet proof stuff...especially when trying to get it off your hands or the kitchen table. I didn't realise until I looked on Amazon how cheap it was to buy the plate let alone that you actually could.

Picture is what I ended up with and also a sketch of wot I made. I'm sure there will be some better artisans on here who can make a more professional job but it's a cheap solution to the pain in the cheaky bits problems, mirror vibration and doors not opening fully. In addition, I can reach the drivers one to adjust without taking the belts off.

I do agree with the above that Caterham should do something similar as standard.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/nigel_simpson/Mirror%20Bracket_zpsbhdb1pr8.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/nigel_simpson/IMG_3667_zpsrnslxxbm.jpg

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Hi Grumpy,

Sorry, only just noticed your post. I can get them made by a fairly local printer (to me) in nylon and the results are pretty good....

/sites/default/files/images/users/4288/31679119354_b2b61cafd1_z_0.jpg

They work out to be £29 (inc UK P+P) a pair not including any screws or nuts or the hinge pins.

 

Ivan

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Hi Jonathan,

Yes a good idea, so, including the fasteners they would be £30 a pair but if I was able to get together an order for 10 sets than the price would come down to £26 per set (either design).

Probably best if I stick to including nuts and screws to keep it simple so if anyone is interested please PM me and we'll get the ball rolling.

Ivan

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Count me in Eccles. The centre hole between the two mounting holes is certainly useful because it allows access to the allen headed adjustment bolt that tightens the mirror ball joint ... I assume there is enough room between side screen and mirror mount to insert an allen key to tighten / loosen the ball joint?

Can I ask which type of SPA mirrors you have fitted in the photo, are they the small ones with glass size  113mm x 52mm or the larger ones 148mm x 68mm?  I ask this question because I have the larger size and wonder if these will still clear the windscreen?  Having asked the question, it shouldn't really make any difference because the clearance just depends on distance between side screen and the inner edge of the mirror.

David

 

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Thanks Eccles, I'm not really bothered about which version but maybe given the fact that I have the larger Spa mirrors, I think I should go for the solid version, which is probably more resilient to vibration.  Maybe you should give the two versions different names ... "standard" and "superlight" :) in which case I will go for the standard version.

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I will go for the 'standard' ones also. I currently only have the normal Caterham side screen mirrors but will look to upgrade those as well, so any decent suggestions will be welcome!

Iain

 

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I think Eccles brackets are formed with holes at the correct width for the Spa mirror mounts.  There are two versions, Formula (smaller version) and GT Le Mans (larger version). There are also carbon version of this Spa mirror but ridiculously expensive.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/mirrors

There is an allen key bolt at the rear of the mounting bracket which is for tightening the swivel ball joint.  This is probably why Eccles has provided that additional hole between the two mounting holes to allow access to the allen key adjustment bolt. 

The Spa mirrors are a bit fiddly to adjust but it may be possible to overcome with a bit of improvisation.  One weakness with the Spa mirror is where the mirror stem screws into the ball joint.  This is just a bolt on the end of the stem that screws straight into the ball joint so it can become loose when adjusting the mirror up or down.  A possible fix is either fitting a lock washer or applying a thread locking glue.

Yet another weakness is the finish, Demon Tweaks photo shows a satin black colour and describe the finish as high impact nylon but it actually looks like a glossy black plastic in the flesh and is very susceptible to scratch marks.  I could possibly live with it but in the back of my mind is to spray it matt black at some stage to make it blend more with the rest of the car. 

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