Things I've Been Putting Off - Wing Mirrors And Boot Struts

[martinspoon]

Apologies for making two new threads, after posting the last one realised I should maybe get a few things sorted whilst I'm in the mood!

My 2009 mk2.5 Focus is in need of a few things -

Wing mirrors. I'm really struggling to find mk2.5 specific advice for this (maybe it's the same as the mk2?). The black plastic trim around the mirror itself (sorry, don't have a picture handy, will add one later) is cracked, meaning the indicator is a bit loose. Held on with some tape for now. Am I right in saying that I need to replace the whole wing mirror assembly if I want to sort that? Looks like that's about £70-75 for an original part.

Those don't come with the mirror itself, the indicator strip, or the cover. Does anyone have any experience of re-using - i.e. will I get away with taking those three parts off my existing wing mirror and using them on the new assembly? Any idea if that's difficult?

Also, the struts on the boot are a bit rubbish. Any views on whether a cheap set of eBay are ok, or if I should spend a little more (e.g. these aftermarket ones http://www.sgs-engineering.com/car-boot-tailgate/ford/focus/nl1386-ford-focus-tailgate-strut )?

Thanks!

[Stoney871]

The black trim of the mirror is integral to the mirroe structure so will mean a whole mirror.

The indicator lenses and covers are swappable.

New mirror bodies will depend on whether you have puddle lights, heated mirrors and auto fold.

Full aftermarket units are available on eBay, they come with primered covers which you can either respray to match or remove to swap the original covers onto -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-2008-2012-Door-Mirror-Elec-heat-Primed-R-h-Inc-Indicator-/130847896049?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e772471f1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-2008-2012-Door-Mirror-Elec-heat-Primed-L-h-Inc-Indicator-/110954307798?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19d56460d6

Concerning your boot struts, at this time of year when air pressure is lower struts tend to be a bit less effective, with yours this is most likely the case.

I recommend a coating of thin oil on the struts and waiting until the weather warms up before buying replacements.

If they really are failing you could swap them out for new ones, they can lose pressure over time.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-MK2-Hatchback-Tailgate-Boot-Gas-Struts-PAIR-Brand-New-2005-2010-/190601275665?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c60b8a911

[martinspoon]

This is great, thanks - need to double check the manual when I get home, my focus is the 'style' trim, certainly doesn't have puddle lights or automatic fold, need to check if it's heated. The mirror units you linked above are a better price than I was able to find, they're listed as heated - if I don't have heated, do you know if I'll be able to fit my existing mirrors to this anyway? And presumably it's going to use the same loom connection?

And thanks for the tip on the struts, will give that a go.