Screen screw thread.

[7oaks Mike]

Hi all. 

New to the club and this is only my second post so please accept my apologies if this is in the wrong place, I’m still finding my way around. 

I’ve ordered a pair of spa mirrors from demon tweaks as I’d like to run without doors whenever possible but would obviously still like to see behind me. 

I’ve read to screw it into the centre screen fixing I will need a longer screw to accommodate the mirror base thickness. I’d like to pre order these longer screws so I can fit the mirrors when they arrive in a couple of days. 

Does anyone know what thread i’ll Need or where I can get them easily in advance? 

 

Thank you

Mike. 

[shn7]

Sorry, don't know the answer but have you tried driving with the doors off?

 

Experience says that at more than 40ish mph the buffeting is horribly uncomfortable.

 

Having said that aeroscreen with no/half doors is great.

 

[7oaks Mike]

Yeah everyone has said that! I don’t know if it’s just me or if the wider SV screen has a different effect but I can happily do 70mph on the motorway without doors (albeit with an earplug in my right ear). I spent two days driving all over with no doors. 

 

I don't get any any of the hard breathing problems that I’ve heard of. 

[Wodybode]

I'd really consider using ear plugs in both ears. It might not seem loud but it is. Audiofit do a range of custom plugs with a club discount.

Andy

[pugwash]

I also have an SV and don’t suffer the aforementioned breathing issue.  No doors is great.  No windscreen is better!

[alan c]

Not sure about thread size take one out and measure. However make sure replacement is not too long, if it is it will crack the screen

[Garth]

Welcome Mike - probably not very helpful - do not know the details and not near my car, but I would take one of your screws out and then you can measure the diameter and length etc - if you have some metric nuts to hand you could check the thread that way?

Have you considered trying to get hold of some of those mirror mounts that fix to the door hinges - a few different types have  been made over the years - I have a set which I do not use because like others noted above I discovered I do not like driving with the doors off!! may be too late as you have ordered the mirrors!

Garth

[Speedtrip]

Garth,

Can you elaborate on the mirror mounts? I've not heard of them and may like a set.

cheers,

Andy

[Jonathan Kay]

I suggest starting with Ivan's' brackets.

Jonathan

PS: We really need a Guide on all of the different approaches to looking backwards.

[Speedtrip]

Thanks Jonathan,

Don't those fix to doors? I thought Garth was alluding to mirror mounts which fix to the hinges but without the doors being in place. Have I misunderstood?

Cheers,

Andy

[Garth]

Hi Andy

Her is a Link to a recent post with some pics showing the principle of the fixing - they have been used with several types of mirrors! I am on holiday for two weeks from Friday so am probably not going to have time to get to my garage to take any pics of my set,  but send me a personal mail if you would like to see some pics and I will certainly do it on my return.

Cheers

Garth

 

[Jonathan Kay]

Sorry: my mistake.

Jonathan

[Speedtrip]

Thanks Garth, I get the idea.

Jonathan, easy done  normally my trick!

[Golf Juliet Tango]

During the hot weather, I certainly drove without doors.

Yes it's breezy but isn't that half the point of an open top car? Yes, I put ear defenders on and found it best with one circumaural piece covering my right ear and the left one mostly off. The "can't breathe" suggestion is simply incorrect but I'm sure a lot of people don't likes this set-up.  I know it is the least aerodynamic way but it is a great way to kerp the car cool.

I am fortunate in having a set of clip on mirrors from 15 or more years ago. More recently Nifty produced a different version filling the same job. Both were produced as a batch, so will only be available on the second-hand market.

The simple answer is to get the SVA-compliant mounts from https://caterhamparts.co.uk/mirrors/2977-sva-mirror-mount-kit.html?search_query=Mirrors&results=20Caterham Cars.  

Caterham Cars make these because the side-screen mounted mirrors are not SVA compliant.

[Tony P]

Getting back to the original question... mine were M5.

[7oaks Mike]

Thanks thanks for all the info and advice. I’m told my 2006 car is an imperial chassis, does that mean ALL nuts and bolts on the car are imperial? Or like Tony P above are some fittings metric?

[Tony P]

My car is 'Imperial' (1990-91 originally); the setscrews holding the screen frame to the stanchions were, I'm sure, M5. I replaced them with countersunk hex-socket screws when I made some simple plates that would allow me to mount mirrors on the stanchions with or without the doors fitted. I had a large stock of various M5 stuff at the time and don't recall buying anything special for this. If I get a chance today I'll take a look and check (my memory might be failing...).

[blueyedbiker]

Mine's a 2000 chassis - imperial, and the screws are M5 but as mentioned earlier check to make sure any new ones don't bottom out and crack the screen, could be a costly mistake!

[Jonathan Kay]

 I’m told my 2006 car is an imperial chassis, does that mean ALL nuts and bolts on the car are imperial? Or like Tony P above are some fittings metric?

I don't know a simple answer. But help is available from:

1. Shaun's bolt list and the fastener packs
2. The appropriate Assembly Guide
3. The archives
4. Asking BlatChat.

Jonathan

[Bristol and Bath AR]

I installed mirrors from merlin motorsport (the convex version) using the guide below. The most import part is using a depth gauge to measure the depth of the hole and then using a correct length screw.  You need to have a full set of taps to ensure getting the thread down the full length of the hole.  Also a bit of loctite on the installed screws does not go amiss

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1262850

[Jig]

I didn't want to drill my screen frame in case I changed my mind about the Racetech mirrors so I looked for another answer and found it: You want Racetech RTMPM (available from Demo Tweeks and Rally Design. These are pillar mounts that replace the end fitting that comes with the mirror, and appear to be designed for Caterhams. They come with an M5 set screw, just needs a few mm cutting off the length (I simply measured the original screw that I removed) and you are away. Look neat, as well, so for 15 quid, it's an easy choice.