TT (Mk1) Discussion Discussion forum for the Mk1 Audi TT Coupe & Roadster produced from 2000-2006

Some remarks on installing the Euro blind-spot mirrors

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 12, 2001 | 07:41 PM
  #1  
rollerskate's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 0
Default Some remarks on installing the Euro blind-spot mirrors

Some remarks on installing the mirrors:

As has been said before, the installation isn't very hard,
but there is some risk of breaking the mirrors, generally
during removal (installing the new ones isn't nearly as bad).

The Stratmosphere installation sheet is very good, see it at:

http://www.stratmosphere.com/Installation%20instructions%20TT%20Mirrors.pdf

I added a couple variations when installing my mirrors...

One was that I wrapped the blade of the flat-blade screwdriver
that is used to push on the so-called "release lever" in duct tape,
so there wouldn't be any exposed metal to slip and hit the mirror
glass or scrape against the paint on the mirror housing.
The release lever doesn't release anything very much, but it
helps a little; Audi could have designed it better.

The other thing I did relates to the Audi special tool that is used
for removing the mirrors. The picture from the Bentley repair manual
is shown below; I guess the idea is to slide the slotted bar over
each of the four attachment pins and pull the mirror outward to
release it.

<img src=http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/15438/mirrortoolimage.jpg>


I didn't have the tool and didn't have a way to make one,
but if you have the materials, it might be worth a try.
However, I did happen to have a thin flat metal wrench with
an angled end that I bent to about 45 degrees in a vise, and
then wrapped in duct tape, again to protect things in
case it slipped. (gotta love duct tape :-)

<img src=http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/15438/mirrortool2.jpg>


Except for not having a slot, it's pretty close to the
correct tool. Since it wasn't slotted, I couldn't slide it
over the attaching pins, but I could slide it in next to the
pins, to allow me to pull the mirror outward at about the
right locations. The modified wrench tool is maybe 3/4" wide,
and could be slipped in fairly far behind the mirror, so
it supported it fairly well.
I really didn't want to pull the mirror outward by using
my fingers, even with the protection of gloves; you have
to pull pretty hard, and if something breaks and slips,
I didn't want to get sliced... glass is sharp...

Also, if you just use a straight screwdriver or flat blade,
you can't get in far enough behind the mirror, so you're
prying against the bottom edge - seems much more likely
to break. By using an angled tool, you can get in behind the
edge and put the flat part against the mirror back to
distribute the force a bit.

Your mileage may vary - but it worked OK for me...
you really have to pull a lot harder than you want to,
but with luck it should work. If you *do* break the
mirror, don't worry - as long as you don't change
your mind after installing the new ones, you don't
need the old ones anyway... :-) but it's still nice
to be able to keep the original set just in case.

Putting in the new mirrors is a piece of cake, just
press and they snap into place. Just be careful and
try to apply pressure over the mounting pin areas.
Good luck!
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2001 | 08:43 PM
  #2  
Richard (TTustin, CA)'s Avatar
New Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Default Something else....

I installed my mirrors a couple of days ago. I would add that it is easier to remove them when they are warm, i.e. after a drive and when the outside temp is above 70*. The plastic mounting bracket is more forgiving. Also in addition to the tape on the bottom of the mirror housing, I would apply tape to the inside surface of the mirror housing nearest the door. I noticed a little scuffing on the inside painted surface from when the mirrors popped free (I forgot to apply the tape). The whole job was completed in less than 15 minutes.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2001 | 03:31 AM
  #3  
rollerskate's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 0
Default Agreed re: additional use of tape...

I forgot to say, that I also put tape along the inside bottom and edges
of the mirror housing, and I also put a length of tape covering most of
the face of the mirror (to limit the damage in case the mirror did break).
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2001 | 04:52 AM
  #4  
MichaelTT's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,636
Likes: 2
Default I used two nylon putty knives (25 cents each)...one to push release other to pry off mirror...

work well and no scratches due to being nylon.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MikekiM@PureMS
Audi A5 / S5 / RS5 Coupe & Cabrio (B8)
0
Feb 23, 2009 07:51 AM
RyanS3
Audi A3 / S3 / RS 3
8
Jan 29, 2006 05:54 AM
mtaudi
Quattro: Turbo / Ur / Sport
1
Feb 7, 2004 01:26 PM
G18
A4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
1
Feb 27, 2003 01:11 PM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:19 AM.

story-0
New Audi A6 Allroad Is The Market's Coolest Wagon: 9 Things to Know

Slideshow: Audi's latest A6 Allroad gets RS-style fenders, real off-road hardware, and enough personality to stand out in a market obsessed with crossovers.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-16 17:31:52


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production

Slideshow: 10 strangest Audi designs that actually made production

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-10 16:32:29


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!

Slideshow: Everything you need to know about the 2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-09 06:02:56


VIEW MORE
story-3
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!

Slideshow: Limited to just 499 units, the 987-horsepower halo car signals a new chapter for Audi performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-04 17:37:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation

Slideshow: The highs and lows of every Audi C-Class generation.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:05:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer

People were more than happy to shell out big bucks for these cars.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 15:32:23


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: 10 Audi features and options we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 19:33:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935

Slideshow: Audi has recreated one of the wildest machines of the pre-war speed-record era, reviving a streamlined V16 racer that originally exceeded 200 mph in 1935.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:49:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept

Slideshow: A Dutch coachbuilder has reimagined the original Audi TT by finishing what the 1995 concept only hinted at.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-05 15:17:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!

Slideshow: Ranking every Audi V10 road car

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:11:56


VIEW MORE