So, my wife was driving our car and an nutter in an Audi clouted the drivers side wing mirror so hard it broke it in two and was literally hanging by the wire. Damage was to the outer case, indicator, glass and the stem so it looked like a brand new mirror was needed (top of the range with heating and power fold and adjustment- £600) = not pleased.

 

breakers yard you can get one for about £150 but it will probably be the wrong colour and getting one with the right bits inside probably impossible. So I thought I would have a go at fixing, and share with you all in case you ever come across an nutter that doesn’t stop!

 

first the damage: the main case was cracked, but repairable. The indicator was beyond repair as was the mirror, but the main thing was the casting inside the mirror. It was snapped clean off and didn’t look repairable. 

 

Initially I thought about TIG welding (it’s aluminium) but that would mean taking apart the wiring for the unit to get it out first. Therefore I decided to make a steel insert. I got some steel tube, cut it to slip over the wire and the bent it round. I have some experience doing similar things so was able to get it pretty round and fit perfectly inside the casting (pic 2).

 

I made it to be an interference fit hammering it into the casing first and then after coating with jB weld, hammering it home. Pleased to say it dried really well, straight and strong. 

 

You never quite know how well the repair will hold up until you put it under load and believe it or not, the wing mirror mechanism is under quite a lot with a spring mechanism. I am sure vag group have a special tool, but I had to rig up something on press to hold the spring in whilst I put the circlip on. Warning here, I tried a few things including valve spring compressors, g cramps and a bit of brute force. Nothing came close to getting it done hence using the press. (Will post a pic)

 

So with a bit of remedial work on the case, and a new indicator and mirror (25 quid off eBay) I am back and running again. Quite a simple project once it was worked out, which is why I thought I would post it in case it happens to you.

 

A

 

 

The follow up press pics and end result. 

I think you need to get some use out of that press and set up an online repair service 

 ha thanks. Hope it’s helpful for someone. I have a few more fixes on window mechanisms, door ecu and probably a few future ones on the clutch  if people are interested. 

Saved yourself a few quid. Well done. Helps you have the know how and tools to do this. 

On 19/01/2019 at 07:38, Superbb said:

 ha thanks. Hope it’s helpful for someone. I have a few more fixes on window mechanisms, door ecu and probably a few future ones on the clutch  if people are interested. 

 

Stuff like this is always helpful, and if you post them in the forum linked below they tend to stay close to the top, unlike this regular page where things quickly disappear and tend to be lost forever...

 

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/174-skoda-superb-guides/