Loose wing mirror

[CovKid]

[Smcknighty]

This thread is quite handy - mine have always sagged and waved around in the wind, now I know loose balls are normal

[CovKid]

Aye. Its not unknown for a bunch of T25 owners to be stood around after a few beers at some event, exchanging stories of problems they've had with balls that have gone limp.

[what2do]

Oh, herein lies my problem. I've been polishing the surface of my balls so that they're silky smooth but I had noticed that once I had the bit between my teeth and got going with vigour, they'd loosen up to the point that that I could almost view myself in the said mirror. Not a pretty sight at such exhilarating moments. Will have to squeeze the balls in the vice and set to with something abrasive in order to rub off some of their lustre. Will post any results for those that are interested in sharing my woes........

[itchyfeet]

Oh, herein lies my problem. I've been polishing the surface of my balls so that they're silky smooth but I had noticed that once I had the bit between my teeth and got going with vigour, they'd loosen up to the point that that I could almost view myself in the said mirror. Not a pretty sight at such exhilarating moments. Will have to squeeze the balls in the vice and set to with something abrasive in order to rub off some of their lustre. Will post any results for those that are interested in sharing my woes........

You dont know how releved I am that you didn't mention you have been up my rear passage and had to pull yours in too.....doh

[CovKid]

Apparently if you remove the balls (hacksaw or bolt-cutters according to preference) and replace them with oversize ones, the problem goes away. I imagine that wind and rain, not to mention cutting winter weather, can eventually take their toll leaving your balls worn down and less than youthfull.

Mind you, apparently in the North-West, some T25 owners dip their balls in some sort of restorer but I've yet to discover what this magic solution is. Creosote was mentioned, but that seems a little harsh.

Still, isn't it reassuring to know that no matter what your problem, other owners are only to willing to dive in and assist.

[DevonMark]

I am incredibly proud that my simple question triggered such a wealth of enlightening replies, it's reassuring to know that everyone has some sort of issue with their balls.

Anyway, I tightened my nuts and now no longer have a problem with things slipping out of place. Thanks all

[Ralf85]

Had one or our wing mirrors replaced, but it's too loose and gradually moves position while driving. How can it be tightened?

Thanks
Mark

My standard recommendation from experience. Replace the tension spring in your new mirror with the spring from the original one and that should fix the problem. It did for me!

[itchyfeet]

^^^ half the answer!
grease your balls then dip them in dry sand. Be warned that you will not be able to move them easily afterwards. I did mine around 9 years ago and they haven't moved a mm. (Good job I'm not married eh? ) Best to get it into position before re-affixing as they can be difficult to move afterwards. Don't bother with just tightening the nut as it can lead to shearing it off as you struggle to get it tight enough. I have been telling people to do this for quite a while and no-one has said that it hasn't worked for them yet.

I took OBG's advice today and sanded my balls, works great