The center rear view mirror, auto dimming type,
keeps tilting down with road bumps.
I suspect that the ball joint in the mount is worn.
Is there a way to tighten that up?

 

Hi, my car is a 2000 xk8 coupe, phoenix red with black.
The rear view mirror mounted on the windshield is loose and won't maintain stable position.
Have read the articles and data on removing and replacing the mirror, but before doing that, thought I might try the following:
The mirror hangs on a ball pivot with a locking ring that is serrated and creates friction between the edge of the exposed ball joint and the support brace.
In my case, the serrated ring is broken and floating loose on the ball joint arm.
Seems to me it's an opportunity for a very thin metal shim (self-made part) to be carefully inserted into the ball joint socket to create friction.
Has anyone tried this? Thinking flexible metal of about the thickness of a razor blade. Looks way easier and less damaging than try to take off the whole mirror.
Just my shade tree mechanic brain at work.
All answers and sarcasm welcomed!!
Martin

 

Hi there, yes, this is a common problem on the X-Type, I suppose. I had the same problem. In an first attempt, which lasted for a few month, I had cut out a snippet from a thin rubber glove and stuffed it between the ball and its bracket, until everything fell apart. Then I came up with a good permanent solution:



If I give you just a link here, that link will be out of date soon, and others in the future cannot open it, thus the screenshot. I found this on Aliexpress. It is a complete kit, with the sole purpose to allow you to find 1 bracket to suit the ball you have there stuck on your windscreen. And you screw and/or glue that 1 matching bracket-base to your mirror (after you remove the sad leftovers of the previous bracket), and then re-attach the mirror... That's all...Ups, I just realized that they went utterly mad with the postage costs - that was free postage, when I ordered it... - But you get the idea of how to fix the problem...

Cheers, Peter