Mirror replacement - point of no return?

[Julesprivate]

I'm going to admit defeat and replace the door mirrors on my S1. I've read some of the threads on MX5 (MK1) replacements and they look very promising. Ideally I'd like to go the route that doesn't require removing the door card (so Rawlpugs it is then) but I wonder of there is a "point of no return" that you hit and then means you are fully commited?

I popped the ball off the socket for a quick inspection and have seen a couple of screws holding the socket to the door, in theory it should be just a case of unscrewing them and removing the socket BUT my concern is that I don't know what they are screwed in to... IF I unscrew them will something drop into the door? If not, does that mean I can (hopefully) pop the socket off and then trial fit things but revert back to the stock mirrors by screwing the socket back on?

I thought I might just temporarily see if I can fit a grub screw into the socket to tighten the joint for the moment but would like the socket off the car in order to do that - is this a possibility?

The previous owner (or one of them at least) seems to have filled the socket with putty in an attempt to make it less prone to droop (fail!).

I'd need to do the work over a couple of days (finding any free time is a challenge at the moment) but don't want to make things any worse than they are, even for a short period of time....my OCD won't let me!

Of course if the socket is bonded to the door it's a whole other ball game but I'll cross that bridge if I come to it (hopefully not).

Apologies if this has all been asked before but the search facility is down again (or still) - is there a "step by step" guide (with pictures) anywhere?

Thanks in advance.

[Griffinr]

The socket is usualy bonded to the door but mine came off easily with a sharp tap with a rubber mallet. I found there was sufficient access through the speaker hole to do the work.
I fitted MX5 Mk1 and bonded an aluminium plate to the inside of the door to suppoert them, cover the hole and add a bit of strength.

Rob.

[mikel003003]

My s1 door card was so easy to remove it wasn't worth faffing about I just drilled 4 holes and bolted um on. Had to cut the old ones off tho that was my point of no return

[Julesprivate]

mikel003003 said:

Had to cut the old ones off tho that was my point of no return

That's the bit I've read that causes me some concern... One slip of the angle grinder and it's respray time... Not that i plan on slipping....maybe I'm worrying over nothing...

[v8s4me]

Julesprivate said:

..........Ideally I'd like to go the route that doesn't require removing the door card (so Rawlpugs it is then)....

Removing the door cards is worth the effort to do the job properly and once you’ve done it once the second one will be a lot easier. Using a backing plate is advisable to avoid stress points and cracking the GF and damaging your finish. Take your time and do it properly, it will be worth the effort, and less work in the long run.

[Julesprivate]

Awwww...

OK I know you're right, and I should indeed do it properly, I'll just factor in a little more time to do it then, might wait until the end of the season now then as finding gaps in my diary to tinker is proving a challenge. Still, that gives me longer to source the parts

[mikel003003]

S1 door cards are so easy to take off , window winder, handle,speakers, the rest is just poppers, I replaced the speakers at the same time and just screwed them
to the card so next time they don't have to come off, just remember to disconnect the wires, the card will dangle off the cable that operates the door handle but there's room to get your arm in . All in all I would say its fiddely but not complicated