Today my wife got into the car for the first time in a few months because of a broken foot. First thing she does is adjust the mirror and there's a snap sound, it gets all loose, and there is a rattle inside the plastic surrounding piece.

How does that plastic piece come off? Looks like it might just snap apart, there is a seam running down the middle. Just trying to figure it out before I go out and broil inside the hot car trying to open it.

Update: I don't need the plastic piece off, but am wondering how the ball and socket is supposed to work. It looks like a retaining ring popped off the socket. The ring has a break in it that you can pry open and put over the socket, which causes it to tightly clench the ball. So now I'm wondering, is that ring supposed to have a break in it, or is it broken? Also, it's a real ***** to put over the socket. Cramped quarters and my old eyes can't distinguish the black of the ring from the black of the socket in order to try and push it down securely. Right now it's going to pop back off. Any tips on reattaching the retainer?

 

kongjie,

My mirror's retaining ring pops off my mirror occasionally when it is really hot. The "break" on the ring is on mine as well so I assume it is supposed to be there.

I put a wedge in the slot (break) to open the ring up a little more and then push the ring all the way back on the mirror. Then I just pull the wedge out, while holding the metal ring, and it's fixed. Problem is, it will pop off again when it's really hot. I don't see any other way to keep the retaining ring in place, I just think it's a bit of a design flaw. I'd love someone to chime in and tell me a permanent fix, but I'm thinking this is just gonna happen from time to time.


Cheers,

Joseph

 

Wedge is a good idea. I was using a screwdriver and it was too clumsy. Then the flesh of my index finger got caught in the slot. that was fun.

 

Ouch!

The first time it happened I used some long nose pliers to open the ring enough to put a small allen wrench into the slot to "hold" the ring open. But the allen key would pop out too easily so I ground a small wedge out of a small aluminum rod. It has more surface area so it doesn't pop out. Works really well. Too bad it's not permanent. Dang-it.

 

Not sure I fully understand how the rear view mirror is held on, is it possible to tighten it up? Mine moves down a little bit every few days and I have to re-adjust it.

 

I have the same issue. I like the little wedge idea as it's a ***** to just try and grab with your fingers and snap it back on, Plus, I'm never sure it got it all the way back on.