Removing rear view mirror

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
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  1. My model of MX-5 is: __2.5
  2. I’m based near: __manchester
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __ I have recently fitted an IL Motorsport rear view mirror, the retro type one that is on a slider bar. Question is how do I get the old one off that is stuck to the windscreen. I have got the mirror itself off but this still leaves the bracket with the ball on. Any ideas on how to get it off?
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    IMG_20210804_1503541560×2080 1.36 MB
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Hiya, nice to catch up on Sunday :+1: my ‘thoughts’ would be, a fresh Stanley blade to slice between adhesive and windscreen? Carefully, obviously :nerd_face: or heat (again carefully) with a twisting back and forth motion on the mount to free the bond? Finally, a high breaking strain, fine fishing line in a sawing motion to try to cut through the adhesive backing? There may also be a chemical solution available to help dissolve the adhesive?

Barrie

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Hi Barrie. Good to see you too & of course admire your factory fresh looking car.

I have tried a sharp flexible knife blade behind it but whatever it is stuck on with is set like rock. It looks like the sticky out ball bit is on some sort of slider rail bracket that is stuck to the screen so just getting that off would be better than it is now. I have tried tapping it gently but daren’t bash too hard in case I break the screen.

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Thank you for comment :+1: I’m trying to remember when I took my mk3 mirror off, that had a piece (the ball) that came off by pushing upwards IIRC? A small flat screwdriver inserted from below, released the catch? I might just be imagining that but worth a go :+1: Unfortunately, my recollection of things is deteriorating at an alarming rate :slightly_frowning_face:

Barrie

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Thanks for the link. There is a little hole at the bottom of the base plate. I have tried poking a small electricians screwdriver in there but it is at a real awkward angle so it’s hard to see. I don’t really need to get it off in a useable condition so I may just pluck up the courage to just cut a slice in it very gently with a multitool cutter.

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WD40 & patience using a Stanley knife on a decorators scraper.
Towel to collect overspill on the dash & tissue paper.
Also get a hair dryer and warm it first to see if you can ease it away carefully.

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Are the NB and NBFL the same?
When I removed the rear view mirror on my NB it left a metal block adhered to the windscreen.
Under the block the screen is painted black.
To remove the block I’ve had heat suggested to soften the adhesive.
The black paint is extremely tough to remove apparently
Consequently mine is still attached. It’s not overly noticeable in daily driving but for the best result the answer is to fit an NA windscreen or so I’ve been told.

Hth