2006
Boxster
here. My rear view mirror is giving me major headaches. Looking for ideas because I'm all out.
The problem is, the rear view mirror is a poor design. It's held on to a little ball with these thin plastic "teeth" that eventually break off. And mine broke off, and now the mirror is hanging by wires. Complicating the fix is that I have the auto-dimming mirror plus rain sensor on the windshield.
I would add photos, but not really necessary since I found this
other thread
from a few weeks ago with exact same model, exact same problem.
So get a new one right? Well, that's frustrating to buy a whole new assembly since the mirror itself is fine, I'm just missing some tiny pieces of plastic to hold it up. And
Suncoast charges 700 bucks
!! That's especially frustrating when it's the same design so it's just going to break again eventually. But other problem is, they only sell it in one color - black, and my interior, including the mirror is sea blue. OK, I could live with a black mirror but if I'm going to pay for a mirror it's weight in gold, I should at least get the matching color.
So go to Ebay? Maybe someday, but I searched today, and I can't find any auto-dimming mirrors that match mine, even if I wasn't picky about the color. Plus I'm worried about installing it myself and messing up the rain sensor.
So have a pro do it? Maybe, but then I still need to find a matching mirror.
So fix the one I have myself? Oh I have tried and tried. Nothing will hold it up the same way those plastic teeth did. There's not much surface to work with, and its a very awkward space. Superglue does hold it in place, but that obviously keeps me from adjusting it. if someone has another creative solution, I'm all ears.
How difficult would it be to swap the housing to preserve the stock blue appearance on top of new internals? If that's possible I'd pursue it. Otherwise I'd buy a new one. Look at it this way, if you lacked the skills to do the labor it would be much more than $700. When you replace it be dainty with it.
The problem is that the plastic teeth that hold it on are also part of the back housing! If the replacement is the exact same size and shape then I could swap out the front part of the housing at least. So I might do that.
I've seen here many times people taking items to
Home Depot
and using their color match system. You'll have a perfect donor sample, maybe you can still get the OEM look without too much hassle with their very cheap sample cups. Paint the back housing carefully and use the front as you mention. I don't know how Behr holds up as a polymer paint but from reading here it has worked OK. Or you can get a body shop mix or close rattle can.
From my recent experience, pretty much any of the latex-based paint (sample size) for interiors (
Home Depot
, etc.), but unfortunately doesn't seem to hang in there well with physical wear as it easily chips off. Then again, you just repaint it and it's no big deal -- and I'm guessing this is a part that won't be physically touched. One plus with all this is that latex paint is very forgiving (especially for paint novices such as myself), whereas enamel is really permanent.
Anybody tried 3d printing the broken part?
It's integrated into the rear housing, whatever substrate polymer is selected needs to have those fingers at just the right pressure hold.
John;
Do not limit yourself to just 2006 Boxsters parts. 996 / 997 pieces may fit and don't forget about your cousins @ VW and
Audi
. You would be surprised at how many of theses parts are interchangeable.
Art
Try this:
The World's First Mouldable Glue
. You might need to lubricate the ball so the Sugru doesn't stick to it while it sets. Although I'm not sure how you would flush out the lube afterwards so that the mirror stays in the position you want it. Perhaps you could wrap the ball in non-stick aluminum foil and then pull the foil out? This stuff has a definite shelf life, so don't buy any more than you need in the moment.
I have the same issue with my mirror everyone says get a used one but that realistically doesn't help because if it's old how long will those little fingers last. I'm pretty tired of clamps and rubber bands so I'm working on a diy design. My first idea was really complicated but that is part of my process ... my latest idea the "thing" is quite simple in design and tension adjustable but we will see. I am trying to design it so you won't notice it, I'll report back.
Has anyone actually opened the mirror itself without destroying it? I would like to know that process. It would be ideal to attach my "thing" mechanically through the back of the mirror. - cheers
Sorry for reviving old thread. There is not much information online.
Were you able to figure out a solution? I was planning to 3d print a ring with some tabs to hold the ball.
