348 side mirror fix | FerrariChat

348 side mirror fix

Discussion in '348/355' started by MaterMech, Feb 22, 2009.

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  1. MaterMech

    MaterMech Formula Junior

    Feb 26, 2007
    476
    Los Gatos CA
    Full Name:
    Mark Johnson
    #1 MaterMech, Feb 22, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I thought I'd post this up for anybody who has ever broken a side mirror and **** their pants when they found out how much a replacement is not to mention paint. I drilled out the center of the mirror pivot with a 1/2" bit and then tapped with a 14mm x 1.5 tap. I cut a bolt to fit and then drilled the center for the wires to pass through. I deleted the star washer and opted for blue loctite. I had to test fit the bolt and then ground the head in a tapered fashion to clear the outer housing. It works like a charm. If anybody every needs this done I could provide the service for a few bucks, and yes the hole will be in the center of the bolt next time :)
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  2. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    99,167
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Nice fix Mark! :):)
     
  3. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    Nice write up!
     
  4. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,667
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    Well done!
     
  5. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
    U.S.A.
    Full Name:
    goth
    Cool :)!!! ............ I think that tap is the same size as the lug bolt threads??
     
  6. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 4, 2006
    8,281
    Palos Verdes
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    Vince V
    Brilliant! I need to print this out for my next accident.
     
  7. MaterMech

    MaterMech Formula Junior

    Feb 26, 2007
    476
    Los Gatos CA
    Full Name:
    Mark Johnson
    #7 MaterMech, Feb 23, 2009
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2009
    Thanks guys! I stressed over this until I came up with the plan to fix it. I was being a moron and glanced it while walking by. It did not take much and snap.....and it was hanging by the wires. On another ocasion I parked the car in the city and when I came back to the car somebody had rotated the mirror in. I don't know wether to be thankfull that somebody was looking out for me or upset that somebody put their hands on the car.
     
  8. rendergod

    rendergod Karting

    Jan 30, 2004
    69
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Allen
    Anyone know if this kind of fix might apply to a 355 as well? Mine is in the shop right now with a broken driver side mirror. There's nothing visibly wrong with it - it's just very loose at the attachment to the door, so something internal broke. The shop has quoted me $5700 to replace the whole thing, so naturally I'm looking for alternatives!
     
  9. jhfields

    jhfields Karting

    Jun 2, 2010
    102
    paducah ky.
    Full Name:
    John H Fields
    if you can get me some more specs ill do it for cost of the bolt and shipping any thing to help the brother hood Regards John
     
  10. rendergod

    rendergod Karting

    Jan 30, 2004
    69
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Allen
    Thanks for the generous offer, John! I think I could do the work myself though, as long as the 355 mirror pivot works the same as the 348 shown above. I've already told the shop to leave it alone. Even if I can't fix it, I'd probably just use duct tape for a while instead of paying 5700 bucks...
     
  11. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
    2,515
    Northern Utah
    Full Name:
    Erick
    Wow! $5,700 what a bargain why don't you just open your wallet and pay the man...

    Just incase you can't tell yes I am kidding. ;)
    Hope you're able to fix it yourself please let us know.
     
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  12. rendergod

    rendergod Karting

    Jan 30, 2004
    69
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Allen
    #12 rendergod, Jan 23, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Well my failure mode turned out to be a bit different... The threaded section was fine, but the structural element's connection to it fractured as shown. Fortunately it left a long U-shaped break which was perfect for JB Weld, so my fix was easier than Mark's. The hardest part was re-clipping the glass to the adjustment motor holder.

    The mirror is now back on the car and works perfectly, including the pivot action. Seems quite strong too, but I'll still keep my eye open for a used structural element (there's one on eBay now for $233 but it's for the passenger side). Since I already had the JB Weld, the total cost of my fix was zero, saving myself $5700!
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  13. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
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    Erick
    Fantastic, With the money saved you could buy a StopTech Big Brake setup.
     
  14. MaterMech

    MaterMech Formula Junior

    Feb 26, 2007
    476
    Los Gatos CA
    Full Name:
    Mark Johnson
    I'm glad I was able to help with some insight. Side mirrors definately go up there on the scale of buying a new clutch for an F1 car lol. The wires can be taken out with a good terminal removal kit MATCO, SNAP-ON etc. In your case I would almost recomend welding but given that it is probably some weird alloy I would look to the scrap yards instead. It would be intersting to due XRF on the metal and see what the alloy is. Not that it matters compared to other parts of the car needing more detailed focus.
     
  15. rendergod

    rendergod Karting

    Jan 30, 2004
    69
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Allen
    #15 rendergod, Sep 1, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Well after a year or so of good service, my JB Weld fix (described above) finally broke. This time I was able to find a used mirror frame on eBay for $250. It actually came with the motors, wiring, and other parts, but I only used the frame along with my original parts since I knew they were functional. Yesterday I put it all back together and the mirror is good as new!
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  16. 44qsake

    44qsake Rookie

    Oct 25, 2011
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  17. Woepie

    Woepie Rookie

    Oct 31, 2020
    27
    Erps-Kwerps Kortenberg
    Full Name:
    Lauwerys Wouter
    what is the required length of the 14 mm bolt?
    what is the diameter in the center needed for the cabling?
    which spring or which part number to order spring?
    my feather has been taken away by the previous owner
     
  18. Woepie

    Woepie Rookie

    Oct 31, 2020
    27
    Erps-Kwerps Kortenberg
    Full Name:
    Lauwerys Wouter
    would this m12, 12mm hollow bolt from a washbasin or is 12 mm too small to tap?
     

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  19. Woepie

    Woepie Rookie

    Oct 31, 2020
    27
    Erps-Kwerps Kortenberg
    Full Name:
    Lauwerys Wouter
  20. Woepie

    Woepie Rookie

    Oct 31, 2020
    27
    Erps-Kwerps Kortenberg
    Full Name:
    Lauwerys Wouter
    i succeed with the 14mm center drilled bolt.
    Verry happy with the result and tested, not moving, on high speed:).
     

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