Removing Bunny Ears - S3
Discussion
Gents my new Mk2 Escort mirrors came today so please can someone advise / give me any tips on how to remove the standard bunny ears.
Is it door panel off, undo two retaining screws and lift them off? Then set about fitting the new 'uns which on the face of it look like they will utilise at least one of the retaining holes and external securing pad looks like it is large enough to cover the redundant hole and attachment hole left by the bunnys. We shall see.....TBC
Is it door panel off, undo two retaining screws and lift them off? Then set about fitting the new 'uns which on the face of it look like they will utilise at least one of the retaining holes and external securing pad looks like it is large enough to cover the redundant hole and attachment hole left by the bunnys. We shall see.....TBC
I have been putting off fitting my mx 5 mirrors, mines an s1 the ears have a 'sholder' that sits behind a secound skin inside the door, the panel is easy enough to remove with plenty of help on here. but (on mine at least) it looks as though I will have to cut the arm and either leave the sholder inside or cut through the secound skin to get it out. The hole is quite small and the mazda mirror will cover it fine.
Just been through this.
First, remove the door cards - very straight forward, but can be a tad fiddly if you have large hands. I managed to break both my ash trays in the process, but with them off, life is much easier to reach the small 7mm nut that holds the end of the arm rest onto the door frame. Other than that, there is a small screw under a cover towards the rear of the door, and lots of poppers along the base - use something like a wooden spatula to prise them off.
The "arm" with the ball on the end is both screwed and stuck into the door skin - I assume with a little GRP...the screws are the ones you see on the outside once you have taken the mirror off.
On the passenger side, I thought I had no option but to cut it off flush with a grinder. As I was going through it, it warmed up, which in turn warmed up the GRP/adhesive holding it to the inside of the door, and it simply fell off!
On the driver's side, it wasn't stuck on as well, and knocked out with a few gentle knocks from a wooden mallet. I suspect the use of a heat gun on the inside, would probably free up any stubborn adhesive.
Once off, you are left with two large holes, and the two screw holes. It then depends on the mirrors you are replacing them with. The MX5 mounts just about cover the holes, although you have to drill new mounting holes. Use big penny washers and spring washers and/or lock tight to ensure the new ones stay put.
Whilst the car is having a few bits done in the body shop, they are going to completely fill the old holes prior to me fitting the new mirrors - if you do this, make sure you make a note of where the old ones were so that you don't accidentally drill through the repair!
If you need any further pointers, give me a shout.
First, remove the door cards - very straight forward, but can be a tad fiddly if you have large hands. I managed to break both my ash trays in the process, but with them off, life is much easier to reach the small 7mm nut that holds the end of the arm rest onto the door frame. Other than that, there is a small screw under a cover towards the rear of the door, and lots of poppers along the base - use something like a wooden spatula to prise them off.
The "arm" with the ball on the end is both screwed and stuck into the door skin - I assume with a little GRP...the screws are the ones you see on the outside once you have taken the mirror off.
On the passenger side, I thought I had no option but to cut it off flush with a grinder. As I was going through it, it warmed up, which in turn warmed up the GRP/adhesive holding it to the inside of the door, and it simply fell off!
On the driver's side, it wasn't stuck on as well, and knocked out with a few gentle knocks from a wooden mallet. I suspect the use of a heat gun on the inside, would probably free up any stubborn adhesive.
Once off, you are left with two large holes, and the two screw holes. It then depends on the mirrors you are replacing them with. The MX5 mounts just about cover the holes, although you have to drill new mounting holes. Use big penny washers and spring washers and/or lock tight to ensure the new ones stay put.
Whilst the car is having a few bits done in the body shop, they are going to completely fill the old holes prior to me fitting the new mirrors - if you do this, make sure you make a note of where the old ones were so that you don't accidentally drill through the repair!
If you need any further pointers, give me a shout.
My rabbit ears were bonded into the door with filler, as I recall I removed the mirrors from the base, removed 2 screws holding the bases into the door, then gave the base a sharp tap with a rubber mallet to break the bond. I removed the speakers for access to the inside. I made some aluminium tapping plates up to hold the new one's (MX5 Mk1)and bonded these into the door after positioning the mirrors. No pictures I'm afraid.
Rob
Rob
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