Sourcing wing mirror for MK1 Focus
Discussion
Just before lockdown I damaged the driver side wing mirror on my ford focus by scraping against a wall. Once lockdown started lot of my usual go-to mechanics said can't get the parts so you just have to wait..
As my car is a shed (54 plate MK1 focus hatch), I don't want to be spending too much but this needs to be done as it's important for other road users and my safety that the wing mirror is in useable condition.
Both the housing is cracked and the glass/mirror itself.
I'd like to try sourcing the mirror myself then have my mechanic fit it.
What's the cheapest/most efficient way I can source the part and ensure its a. The correct part and b. The correct colour to match my cars bodywork?
Cheers
As my car is a shed (54 plate MK1 focus hatch), I don't want to be spending too much but this needs to be done as it's important for other road users and my safety that the wing mirror is in useable condition.
Both the housing is cracked and the glass/mirror itself.
I'd like to try sourcing the mirror myself then have my mechanic fit it.
What's the cheapest/most efficient way I can source the part and ensure its a. The correct part and b. The correct colour to match my cars bodywork?
Cheers
Zetec-S said:
It's pretty easy to replace yourself. Loads of guides online. Just don't drop the bolt inside inside the door otherwise you'll need to take the doorcard off.
Thanks for the tip. I looked on YouTube and was quite surprised how straightforward it looks. Need to get myself a torque wrench (I think that's what they call it?) to get the bolt out..useful tool for other jobs anyway so might aswell.I've never done car 'diy' myself but then thought sod it, the car is a shed and if it will save me time and £££ rather do it myself and learn something new!
VR99 said:
I've never done car 'diy' myself but then thought sod it, the car is a shed and if it will save me time and £££ rather do it myself and learn something new!
Same here to be honest, this was probably the first diy repair I've done. I don't do that much but it's always satisfying when you do!Been there. same car, same year! Colour coded shells are very pricy, plain black very much cheaper for a diy paint job.
I see you are going to have a mechanic do the work but if he's not familiar withthe focus mirror don't try to open the shell along the top seam, that's where the strongest catches are! If you look at the end of the driver's side mirror shell there is a lower seam running away from you at about 4 o'clock. Slip a Stanley knife or other thin blade into this seam and the shell will pop off. Similar for the passenger side.
Great sheds. With abit of TLC they seem to go on for ever; my son-in-law still uses my old one as a station hack (or did until March)..
I see you are going to have a mechanic do the work but if he's not familiar withthe focus mirror don't try to open the shell along the top seam, that's where the strongest catches are! If you look at the end of the driver's side mirror shell there is a lower seam running away from you at about 4 o'clock. Slip a Stanley knife or other thin blade into this seam and the shell will pop off. Similar for the passenger side.
Great sheds. With abit of TLC they seem to go on for ever; my son-in-law still uses my old one as a station hack (or did until March)..
Dogwatch said:
Been there. same car, same year! Colour coded shells are very pricy, plain black very much cheaper for a diy paint job.
I see you are going to have a mechanic do the work but if he's not familiar withthe focus mirror don't try to open the shell along the top seam, that's where the strongest catches are! If you look at the end of the driver's side mirror shell there is a lower seam running away from you at about 4 o'clock. Slip a Stanley knife or other thin blade into this seam and the shell will pop off. Similar for the passenger side.
Great sheds. With abit of TLC they seem to go on for ever; my son-in-law still uses my old one as a station hack (or did until March)..
Thanks IL keep this in mind too, even worse actually I will be giving this a go rather than giving it to a mechanic! I could be wrong but suspect that for my mechanics this isn't a big enough job to make it worth their time as none of them have got back to me with a quote so IL just give it a go. I should also add, that I'm not changing the mirror...the whole unit will come out including the panel that fits against the side of the car, no idea what it's called. So I've sourced a full unit including mirror,casing and panel, was lucky as got a matching colour item from breakers via eBay. I see you are going to have a mechanic do the work but if he's not familiar withthe focus mirror don't try to open the shell along the top seam, that's where the strongest catches are! If you look at the end of the driver's side mirror shell there is a lower seam running away from you at about 4 o'clock. Slip a Stanley knife or other thin blade into this seam and the shell will pop off. Similar for the passenger side.
Great sheds. With abit of TLC they seem to go on for ever; my son-in-law still uses my old one as a station hack (or did until March)..
Agree abt the MK1 focus being a great car, I think v underated. IMHO, easily the best focus they ever made. I've had mine 10 years, my sole do-everything car, tip runs, long runs, shopping you name it. I will change it later this yr as really need 5 doors rather than 3 but no idea what will replace it yet, it's been that good.
Edited by VR99 on Tuesday 2nd June 10:53
Edited by VR99 on Tuesday 2nd June 10:58
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