Thread: Floppy interior rear view mirror fixable?

Mick,
Have had the same problem in two Defenders (Td5 & Puma) and have been unable to fix . The local dealer told me that the limp mirror on my current Puma was normal, as another near new Defender in his workshop had the same degree of limpness in its mirror.

The fact that it's impossible to use the anti-glare lever without moving the mirror, suggests this explanation (excuse) is as lame as the bloody mirror!

I tried inserting a tiny screw into the ball joint to stiffen it up a bit, but the experiment was basically a failure.
Bottom line is that I am now in the process of installing a home made roof console and have bought a second hand mirror and mounting plate from the local wrecker for $10 to fit to the underside of that console. I think it's from a Nissan of some sort.

It's much stiffer and a bit larger than the original, so I'll be able to see more out the back once it's installed.

Alan

Originally Posted by Rurover

Mick,
Have had the same problem in two Defenders (Td5 & Puma) and have been unable to fix . The local dealer told me that the limp mirror on my current Puma was normal, as another near new Defender in his workshop had the same degree of limpness in its mirror.

The fact that it's impossible to use the anti-glare lever without moving the mirror, suggests this explanation (excuse) is as lame as the bloody mirror!

I tried inserting a tiny screw into the ball joint to stiffen it up a bit, but the experiment was basically a failure.
Bottom line is that I am now in the process of installing a home made roof console and have bought a second hand mirror and mounting plate from the local wrecker for $10 to fit to the underside of that console. I think it's from a Nissan of some sort.

It's much stiffer and a bit larger than the original, so I'll be able to see more out the back once it's installed.

Alan

Thanks. I tried gluing it in place but it didn't hold. I want to attach a rear camera mirror to it, but it won't stay up. I might go beserk with the glue. Wont be able to to flip the mirror at night but the camera mirror is tinted so that might not matter.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

Think I'll try just putting a cable tie around the arm at the mirror base, with the lump on the bottom side, and see if I can stop it flopping down. Shouldn't be necessary, I know.

Tried the cable tie - didn't work (not surprising really).


I might just fill up the groove in the standard mirror with Araldite so it can't move and clip the reversing camera mirror over it.

Mick,

It is possible to pop the ball out of the socket, by bending it back against the edge of the mirror.
Some time ago I tried inserting a bit of alfoil I the socket to tighten it up, but it made little difference.
May Be worth trying a thin bit of rubber instead (condom perhaps?) or even some very thin sandpaper.

To reinsert the ball, you need to place the mirror face down on the bench, then whack the ball and arm in using a small mallet or perhaps the base of your hand if you're tough!

Good luck,

Alan

I noticed the camera mirror I wanted to attach to the Puma mirror was heavier on one side than on the other, so out of curiosity I turned it upside down and attached it - and its stayed up so far. Bit strange I know and we'll see how it goes on a bumpy road, but maybe its more balanced that way. Who would know?
Now to get the reversing light working again...

pop the ball out of the socket and put a strip of inner tube from an old pushbike.....then pop the ball back in.......this will stiffen it up but still allow it to be adjusted for different drivers.......

Finally did it, except instead of rubber I used a small piece of thin leather which was lying around. Took some effort to force the ball back in, but got it there. Result is no more flopping with the larger mirror for the rear view camera attached. Mind you, the mirror is now reluctant to move at all. Since found a piece of bicycle rubber, so might try that and compare them.