The Lotus Grand Tourers

I think the alloy Citroen used is pretty brittle Angus. A similar thing happened to the rectangular frame inside one of my mirrors.

KevW wrote:I think the alloy Citroen used is pretty brittle Angus. A similar thing happened to the rectangular frame inside one of my mirrors.

AFAIK it's all Mazak/Zamak - lightweight but quite prone to fatigue failure. Mind you, I reckon that mushroom has been in there for 22 years, so it hasn't done too badly.

I guess this is part of the ratchet mech for the later mirrors?

If so, my drivers side might be in the same state as the ratchet function went a couple of years ago.

Thing is though, the mirror still stays in position at VERY high speeds so I haven't bothered to look into fixing it. Goes some way to prove the effectiveness of the mirror aero maybe?

Lotus-e-Clan wrote:I guess this is part of the ratchet mech for the later mirrors?

If so, my drivers side might be in the same state as the ratchet function went a couple of years ago.

Thing is though, the mirror still stays in position at VERY high speeds so I haven't bothered to look into fixing it. Goes some way to prove the effectiveness of the mirror aero maybe?

If the mirror isn't flapping at anything above 40mph, the "mushroom" is probably OK - it's more likely that the ratchet "spring" has popped off. That happened to mine on the driver's side a few years ago. Fortunately the spring was still inside the mirror and is now araldited and riveted back into place.

Lotus-e-Clan
The ratchet function is provided by a springy blade which fits on a post (about 3mm diameter) on the next piece of metal to the mushroom. The postd is then peened over.

The blade engages with the three indentations on the mushroom in Angus's picture.

The failure you have may be that the peened over post has snapped off and spring is probably rattling around inside the mirror. Or alternatively the pivot has just seized solid.

If it's the former the spring can be re-attached by drilling a hole where the post was and using a self tapper.
If it's the latter then a dollop of grease will be all you need - not a bad idea in either case come to think of it!

Regards
Bill

Thanks Angus and bill

Next Q.
I've never had it off (matron), so whats the procedure for removing the mirror to get at the spring?

Lotus-e-Clan wrote:Thanks Angus and bill

Next Q.
I've never had it off (matron), so whats the procedure for removing the mirror to get at the spring?

Y'know that "Technical Articles" section we have - the one covered in cobwebs 'cos nobody ever looks in there?

http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... f=8&t=1656

Good point Angus.

I've had a look ...seems straight forward. thanks.

Lotus-e-Clan wrote:Good point Angus.

I've had a look ...seems straight forward. thanks.

It is - the hardest bit is probably going to be getting the locking ring to rotate without breaking the mirror. They tend to seize unless they've been "treated" with polish or wax.

You will also need torx bits to undo everything inside the mirror.

OK got the torx bits...and I'll nick a squirt of the wife's spray polish.

cheers

Glad i saw this because i had assumed i needed to get a new mirror at some point, the toadstool will be much cheaper . i assume this part fits either side and they are specific for right and left?

kronos1664 wrote:Glad i saw this because i had assumed i needed to get a new mirror at some point, the toadstool will be much cheaper . i assume this part fits either side and they are specific for right and left?

They're not "handed", but do seem to be getting rarer.

CX Basis have some used mushrooms http://cx-basis.de/eshop/product_info.p ... ts_id=3856

or you might find some through Lotusbits, the Citroen dealer network, TVR Power, Aston Martin, Jaguar etc. just remember it's from a CX Series 2.

Crikey! €35 from CX Basis or £8 from TVR Power : http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/store/slug/mirror-base/