Lucas mirror ? for Doc Watson
- Thread starter steve c
- Start date
Doc Watson
Lifetime Supporter
Doc (Andy),
I have my mirror apart to the point of removing the old ball and stem.
The ball socket needs to be disassembled in order to install the correct Cushman ball and stem but I'm concerned as the socket assembly plates are held together by 4 small tabs that look fragil and likely to break (work harden and crack) during disassembly/reassembly. Anyone done this and have tips or proceedure?
Also good idea to reassemble with a little neolube or anything in the ball to socket (my as purchased is pretty hard to move and with stub to windshield attachment via adhesive don't want too much force when adjusting mirror position?
To point of attachment to windshield..what have others used or suggest?
One more...Thinking of offsetting the mirror off of centerline in windshield...good idea?
Thanks, Steve
I have my mirror apart to the point of removing the old ball and stem.
The ball socket needs to be disassembled in order to install the correct Cushman ball and stem but I'm concerned as the socket assembly plates are held together by 4 small tabs that look fragil and likely to break (work harden and crack) during disassembly/reassembly. Anyone done this and have tips or proceedure?
Also good idea to reassemble with a little neolube or anything in the ball to socket (my as purchased is pretty hard to move and with stub to windshield attachment via adhesive don't want too much force when adjusting mirror position?
To point of attachment to windshield..what have others used or suggest?
One more...Thinking of offsetting the mirror off of centerline in windshield...good idea?
Thanks, Steve
Doc Watson
Lifetime Supporter
Steve,
We have turned full circle on this Steve, you are now the expert on Lucas mirrors as I havent attempted to take the ball out yet, Jays stem will arrive soon.
My current plan will be to use a small butane torch (used for soldering) to heat the top two tabs and then let them cool slowly in air, thus anneling them to make them 'softer' then attempt to bend them back and remove the plate, once the plate is removed, re-anneal the two pins, fit the new ball and bend them back.
I know that there must be a few people here who have already done this so I guess we both wait for them to speak up or you could bite the bullet and go for it..... I will be asking questions if you do it.
Kim, sorry found the Lucas 608 and couldnt resist a bid myself!!!!!!!!
Andy
We have turned full circle on this Steve, you are now the expert on Lucas mirrors as I havent attempted to take the ball out yet, Jays stem will arrive soon.
My current plan will be to use a small butane torch (used for soldering) to heat the top two tabs and then let them cool slowly in air, thus anneling them to make them 'softer' then attempt to bend them back and remove the plate, once the plate is removed, re-anneal the two pins, fit the new ball and bend them back.
I know that there must be a few people here who have already done this so I guess we both wait for them to speak up or you could bite the bullet and go for it..... I will be asking questions if you do it.
Kim, sorry found the Lucas 608 and couldnt resist a bid myself!!!!!!!!
Andy
Andy:
No worries, I ended up finding another one in the UK; it's presently winging its way to the states. Did you win the bid? I hope one of ours got it!
Kim
Paul,
Hi, do you have any of these left i'm trying to get one in advanmce of the LMC to mount my mirror but with no luck. If you haven't any, perhaps you could let me know the following dimensions;
Diameter, length of bar before cutting angle, angle of angle - if you know what I mean ! I may be able to get one machined locally to me in Birmingham when I get back from Libya next week.
I understand (from Frank Catt) you want a peek at my front suspension at LMC = no problem
Hi, do you have any of these left i'm trying to get one in advanmce of the LMC to mount my mirror but with no luck. If you haven't any, perhaps you could let me know the following dimensions;
Diameter, length of bar before cutting angle, angle of angle - if you know what I mean ! I may be able to get one machined locally to me in Birmingham when I get back from Libya next week.
I understand (from Frank Catt) you want a peek at my front suspension at LMC = no problem
After having gone through the entire process of modifying one of the mirrors. It's quite simple really. It just requires a bit of finesse. I would urge you not to use a torch Doc. The tabs can be very carefully worked open on one side and the plate can be "slid" out from under the two on the other side. Once the plate is removed, gently open up the other two tabs just a bit to allow easier reassembly. The mirror I have (courtesy of Steve C) was already worked over once by someone less than careful and I was still successful. Just work the tabs juuuuust enuf to allow the plate to clear on one side.
I know this is an old thread but can someone tell me the easiest way to work the tabs open? I've tried using a pair of pliers but they started digging into the tabs so is there a better way of opening them?
I know this is a really old thread, but people still looking on how to work on their 608 mirrors. I've found a plastic credit card works better on popping out the mirror glass - doesn't damage any of the metal. Just pull back the lower edge of the mirror and slide the credit card in and work along - the glass pops out quite easily. Also, re-silvering. Here in the UK one of the few places still left offering the service to do just one mirror is Dutton Glass and Mirrors, Birmingham.
Charlie Farley
Supporter
I am surprised that anything approaching a credit card was effective. That would suggest someone has taken the mirror apart before.
It is often the case that the 'spring' of the aluminium casing will not allow you to close the casings back to it's original position, once opened.
I have just taken delivery of another batch i have had manufactured for many years, complete with the correct mounting block.
It is often the case that the 'spring' of the aluminium casing will not allow you to close the casings back to it's original position, once opened.
I have just taken delivery of another batch i have had manufactured for many years, complete with the correct mounting block.
Doc Watson
Lifetime Supporter
12 years ago...... I think my mirror (I now have 2) was one of the first things I acquired for the car.
