Another one bites the dust, Repair questions

[mohammad]

should i start my own post? I feel like i jumped your thread. Im new here and don't want to step on toes.

I don't mind at all if you want to post here.

[ChippyMcMunk]

I don't mind at all if you want to post here.

Ok thanks, i have a few updates on my progress. I watched your YouTube video on the cabin air filter. I always wondered where it was, good video. By the way, i found the other side of the filter fresh air opening haha, thought of you of course when i saw it. Pic below. I think i will put a screen over it to keep mice, squirrel and leaves out before i reasemble everything. It is not easy to get to. Must take windshield wiper arms off. And yes there was leaves in there.

[mohammad]

I think i will put a screen over it to keep mice, squirrel and leaves out before i reasemble everything. It is not easy to get to. Must take windshield wiper arms off. And yes there was leaves in there.

I wouldn't put a screen there if i was you. First off mice are too large to fit on the screen thats already built into the plastic cover you took off. Also, They make the cabin air filter accessible for a reason, if you try and catch leaves here you will likely never bother cleaning it and the next owner will never know about it. better off just letting the leaves fall down to the cabin filter directly below the opening.

The photos nice, i was considering using the space to install a gps tracker for the car, just havent gotten around to it yet. Good to see that it looks like there will be enough space.

Thanks for watching my youtube videos. I appreciate it!

[ChippyMcMunk]

I will leave you all some pics of the process i went through. It isn't straight but im back on the road. I did the best i could. I straightened the bumper reinforcement bar to close enough and the radiator support. All the damage was forward of the suspension and drive train. It drives strait and doesn't pull to either side. Will be getting an alignment soon anyway. The schematic of the front end measurements helped a ton. I straightened the fender and hood to the best I could. It will have to do. Got away with only buying the headligt assembly. If i need to get the frame straightened further I will take it to a specialist. I will drive this vehicle into the ground so it will never be resold to anyone. thanks for all your help mirage forum.

[foama]

Just a reminder and for those who didn't know, the body dimensions are listed in the FSM which includes the body repair manual. If you look around, you can get it free.

[ChippyMcMunk]

If all else fails, Rally Car?

[Mark]

I wouldn't put a screen there if i was you. First off mice are too large to fit on the screen thats already built into the plastic cover you took off.

If that is true, how did mice get to my cabin air filter? I noticed my windshield wouldn't clear like normal a couple years ago. I checked the cabin air filter when I got home, and I pulled out a couple handfuls of a large mouse nest built with various materials. The huge mouse nest was directly on top of the cabin air filter plugging up the air flow.

This past year, I noticed my air resonator box rattled when I checked my engine air filter. After removing & shaking it quite hard, I removed 52 hickory nuts stored in it. I did not put them in there!

I check my cabin air & engine air filters during every oil/filter change (5,000 mile interval) now.

[ChippyMcMunk]

I have heard similar experiences to yours. It looks to me they can get under the wiper motor cover other ways. I did end up putting a screen over the opening, made from a left over louver with a screen i had for my shed. Cut it to size and removed the louvers. Drilled six holes and attached with self tapping screws. Easy fix.

[ChippyMcMunk]

I have also had mice in my car perhaps entering through the vent where the spare tire sits. I placed some wire mesh screen over it temporarily and i had no other mice in the car. Will probably do something similar to protect it permanently. Perhaps another louver with screen.

I found my glove box cluttered so now i store my extra headlight bulbs and fuses on my spare tire.

[Mark]

I have also had mice in my car perhaps entering through the vent where the spare tire sits. I placed some wire mesh screen over it temporarily and i had no other mice in the car. Will probably do something similar to protect it permanently. Perhaps another louver with screen.

I found my glove box cluttered so now i store my extra headlight bulbs and fuses on my spare tire.

I have a pair of jumper cables, replacement clutch cable, serpentine belt, & two headlight bulbs stored by the spare tire.

I also replaced the spare donut tire with a full size tire (have summer/winter set of tires to pick from) this past spring. I cut out a piece of masonite board with my electric jigsaw using the rear carpet cover as my template just last week. The full size spare raises the thin factory board about 1.5-2 inches. I put wooden cleats on both ends of my cut out board and the tire supports the center. The factory carpet still covers it all.

I really like the thought of having a full size spare with me when doing longer trips from home. I'm glad it fits in that area. It would be a perfect fit if it were a bit deeper. It probably also helps that I have 165/65r14 tires that take up less space.