HELP NEEDED! Got a problem with my nearside folding mirror

[mikeonb4c]

Went to deploy my wing mirrors this evening and the nearside one just kept clicking and whirring and wouldnt stop. I've had to retract them both (when the noise stops) and just ease them out manually to position (but not locked). Using 'Search', I found this on a thread a while bck, posted by mp3oplecarrier. He was giving advice to an owner whose mirror had gone to sleep:

If it clicked I would think it more likely that the worm gear inside has slipped. I have fixed this on both my mirrors now, so if it is not wiring what you have to do is remove the mirror (door panel off undo bol;ts from inside, prise off the cover outside). When you have the mirror on your kitchen table (or workbench if you're posh) carefully remove the motor/ gearbox mechanism and you will probably find that the worm gear has moved along it's shaft to the point where it wil only 'catch' the spur gear if it starts at the right point. I think it is probably caused by people 'helpfully' folding your mirrors for you manually.. You should thgen be able to push the gear back so that it is halfway over the spur gear, blow out all the cobwebs and put it all back together again.

Do you think this is probably the problem I have (albeit that it is 'presenting' with different symptoms). I'm sure its quite fixable, but I could do without ANOTHER job to do right now!!! If the above advice is what I have to use, how easy is it getting the door panel off (is sticky black gunk likely to be encountered?).

I cant blame the Bongo. A whle back, when practising reversing into the drive with the trailer (forget it!!!) I got out of line and snagged the mirror a lilac branch, obliging it to snap full forward. It has seemed a bit iffy since then.

Grateful for any advice chums & thanks

Mike O'Williteverend

[mp3oplecarrier]

I'd have a look if I were you, as it could be something similar. However, you will find sticky black gunk, I still keep getting a stripe up my drivers side window from the last time I had the panel off!

Steve

[mikeonb4c]

Damn! But thanks. No other real option I suspect, unless someone on BF comes along with a miracle alternative option

[bigdaddycain]

Hi mike,
I think m3oplecarrier was answering my original query.. I did eventually get my "whirring" mirror off, and replaced it with a second hand "non whirring" item.

Taking the old mirror apart sounded to daunting for me, it sounded a little too fiddly for my impatient,lumbering,shovels to grasp.

As a temporary "fix" fold out both your mirrors manually,then tape u using black insulation tape at the base. keep the mirror switch in the OFF position.

At least this will keep you on the road till you get chance to source a replacement, or repair the old item...

You'll realize why the mirrors need to be secure when you get on the motorway and the wind blows the mirrors back on to your door!

[mikeonb4c]

Good advice BigD. So you've had the same problem eh? How much did you manage to get a replacement mirror for out of interest. You know me, I'm going t try and strip it. How hard did you find it getting the door panel off and removing the mirror unit becuase at the moment that is the bit I'm least looking forward to (sticky black gunk etc. in there mp3 says)

Mike

[corblimey]

Hi Mike

Straight forward removing the mirror.

I had to take remove mine recently cos some b*stard snapped it off.

I can't remember the exact procedure but I do remember that it wasn't very difficult. The black gunk didn't cause me any probs. Just don't touch it, it's sticky! The only fiddly bit was detaching and reattaching the the door latch handle.

[bigdaddycain]

Ive just noticed mike that you meant the nearside mirror! It was my offside mirror that was playing up.. I'll give the guy who was breaking the bongo a ring to see if he has the other mirror mate I replaced it on an exchange basis for an unbeleivable £30! (mustn't grumble eh?)
Thats another reason why i didn't bother messing about trying to repair the mechanism.

Now then, mirror removal... The trickiest part with the removal in my case was getting the outer plastic shroud from the botto of the mirror off very fiddly in my case, and i eventually broke one of the clips.
Then remove the door card.
There are two bolts on the inside of the door mike,(and one bolt under the plastic shroud)undo all bolts. (tape the mirror to the door first,so it doesn't drop off while your hands are full of tools!)
Then peel back the top left hand corner of the plastic sheet ( to gain access to the plug for the mirror)
Disconnect the plug for the mirror,then feed the cable back up, through the hole,then out.
If you happen to get the black gunk stuck to your fingers mike, stick it back on to the metal inside the door, cos it seems to stick to metal better than it does to skin

[corblimey]

Ah, thats why mine was so easy. The shroud had already been "removed" for me

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks corblimey and BigD. Just what I needed to know. Sorry I didnt reply earlier - I missed these replies when you sent them (mental overload ).

I've not looked, but is it easy removing the door inner panel?

Mike

[mick]

Hi Mike

I had the door panel off to sort the central locking - fairly straightforward, so here goes ....

First remove the little grommets that conceal the philips screws around the sides (they simply pop off), and undo the screws

Next, undo the screws that are slightly concealed in the door release lever and the door recess (the plastic oblong recessed square bit you pull to shut the door)

Then take a wide bladed screwdriver (cover the end in a bit of fabric to protect paintwork), and lever the panel away from the frame. Once you have created a little gap, you can get your fingers between panel and door and prise the panel free.

However, the top edge of the panel is recessed into the door frame, and needs lifting out of its groove, whilst pulling backwards and upwards.

Once the panel is off, it is still connected to the door by the door release handle and some push fit connectors.

At this point I had some difficulty in continuing with removal, as the clear plastic sheet lining was impeding easy access. Life is too short to work my way round this problem, so I ripped off the plastic and put it in the bin. Maybe my door will now rot to pieces, but I don't care, and anyway, everything seemed bone dry either side of the plastic membrane.

The door release lever needs to be unhooked (there is a little clip which needs to be lifted from the release lever bar.

The connectors can simply be pulled apart.

Reassembly is obviously all of the above in reverse, but connecting bar and clip was a bit tricky. Although it sounds difficult, the whole operation took about 15 minutes. Have fun

[mikeonb4c]

Cheers mick - v much appreciated. All I have to do now is DO IT

Its on my long, long, long list

Mike

[sdemmery]

I had this exact same thing about 3 weeks ago, removed the mirror & stripped it apart. It is a bit fiddly. Turned out to be a snapped shaft on one of the gears, some are plastic some are metal, a plastic one had snapped. I managed to glue mine back together & much to my amazement it worked perfectly. However I read on a previous post by someone that they replaced the shaft with a 9mm drill bit which actually was my plan but i couldnt find a drill bit at the time.

[mikeonb4c]

Excellent sdemmery and thanks. I wonder if BF would consider assembling the bits of advice on this thread into a factsheet, cos:

1) The Workshop Manual doesnt cover it
2) Fixing it may involve tricks not covered by workshop manuals anyway
3) It is a fault that many Bongo owners may experience in their ageing Bongos. V expensive to get done, but pretty doable DIY with the benefit of the experiences of others

what say Ian?

Mike

[mikeonb4c]

sdemmery - Something you might be able to advise on. How did you get on removing the wing mirror shroud / cover (I'm presuming this is the bit on the outside of the car that covers up the base of the wing mirror assembly - black plastic). Bigdaddycain said he managed to break a clip when removing his. How did you do yours (I cannot see how it comes off, looking at mine).

Mike

[bigdaddycain]

The plastic shroud is the worst bit mike, but only the first time you do it... On the back of the shroud are two channels, and protruding from the door are two plastic plugs, that sit in the channels,the channels are unfortunately in opposite directions, that means that going left, or right with the shroud wont work. I carefully levered the shroud from below,and tried to persuade the plugs to "pop" from there housing with the shroud, but unfortunately the channel for the plug on the housing let go first... I think its more a matter of luck (or lack of it) as to whether you break anything mike.

Its not the end of the world if it does break,i used the shroud from the replacement mirror,because by then i'd worked out how fragile the shroud can be, so i used more care on the scrapper i got the mirror from...