Ngmatthewsme.com Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I have just fitted an aeroscreen and the SPA Formula mirrors that came with it.I fitted them to the bodywork as I had two predrilled holes from the previous owner but are they always such a PITA to get them set?The fitting in the base to tighten the lower ball joint looks like an allen key but nothing fits it and so we could only tighten with a flat screw driver.Within a few miles the pesky things just vibrate loose and we have to remove and retighten!There are no instructions with them so, before resorting to something akin to superglue, is there something I am missing?I can't be the only one with this problem surely?CheersNick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 It is an imperial size ..... and a real pain to be able to hold the base flange tight enough to exert enough torque on the allen key AND hold the mirror arm in place. This contributed to me replacing mine with the nice fixed arm ball-swivel head convex mirrors from Car Builder Solutions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark w Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Drill a hole in the aero screen so that you can tighten in position without removing . Also might be worth trying some loctite .Imperial Allen key fits. As noted above . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy69 Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 +1 for Mark W solution - I did the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngmatthewsme.com Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 Thanks but as previous owner had left two rivet filled holes on the corners of the scuttle I've mounted the mirrors there.It seems that I have to be a lot more brutal with the allen key (as advised by SPA and Caterham )I might add a drop or two of loctite for good measure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyn Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 It seems that the ball inside the mount isn't perfectly spherical. This means that where you get it nice and tight, only a small nudge to another position will render it completely loose. I have to be really careful with mine. No matter how tight I make them, it only takes a little tap as I walk past for them to be swinging completely free as if I hadn’t torqued them up at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I don't think it is imperial, I think it is (from memory) 3.5mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyn Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Agreed, I use a metric allen key, but couldn't tell you which size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant_7 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 On the RiF carbon mirrors, the ball joint hex is a 3/16ths size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 On my SPA mirrors .... now in a box in the garage .... ball joint at base of stem is definitely imperial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrp Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 And mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngmatthewsme.com Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 Thanks guys, SPA mirrors to be confined to a box and then ebay... ordered replacements from Car Builder Solutions as recommended above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian R Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I drilled a hole in the scuttle so you can tighten in place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrp Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Just clarify I checked tonight its a 3/16" allen KeyMrp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L7 FST Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I can recommend Motamec mirrors - they are closely based on the SPA design but they have an additional screw that tightens directly onto the ball joint, and this seems to solve the problem neatly. They're half the price too! I can't vouch for their longevity as I've only just fitted mine, but they look good..http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290965169051Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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