Fitting Wing Mirrors

Motoring With Robbie

1. Select a point about one-third of the way back along the mudguard. Get someone to hold the mirror there while you sit in the driving seat to make sure you can see the mirror without having to crane past a wind screen pillar.

2. When you have selected the spot, centrepunch it and use a good sharp punch to make a deep impression, otherwise the drill might run out of the centrepunch mark and cut a groove in the paint work.

3. Drill a ¼ inch hole or smaller but don't try to use a drill the full size of the hole needed because it will almost certainly run off the centrepunch mark. Remember that the mudguard is not very thick.

4. Next put a larger drill through the pilot hole. As the metal is so thin it is most unlikely that a truly round hole will result so for this reason the large drill should be at least a sixteenth of an inch smaller in diameter than the final size.

5. File the hole to a perfect roundness and check with the mirror stem at frequent intervals. Don't use a file so large that it will stick in the hole, and hold it at an angle to the surface while you're filing. Don't be in too big a hurry or the file may pull right out and scratch the paint.

6. Paint the metal edges of the hole or treat with an anti-rust compound before applying the paint.

7. If the mirrors are of the flyback type, fill the plastic cups with thick grease before the final assembly. This will prevent any seepage of rainwater in service and also help the flyback action.

8. Make sure you have the washers in the correct order - the rubber washer on top of the mud guard and the plain one underneath. An extra rubber one between the plain type and the mudguard metal is a good idea. Set the arms at right angles to the centre line of the car and tighten up.