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View Full Version : Female Proof Rear View Mirror


2drSE-i
11-30-2010, 07:49 AM
I'm not sure if anyone else has had this problem, but I've found the solution. Every time my girlfriend (And my dog for that matter) get into my car, then run smack into my rear view mirror. Irritating as it is to readjust my mirror EVERY TIME i go anywhere, it also adds quite a bit of wear and tear to my mirrors, to the extent that I've been through three in the last 3 years. (All used, admittedly.) I've found a solution, though, and also a whole lot of interchangeable mirrors.

Basically, the problem I was having was that she was wearing the balljoint in the mirror out, and causing it to dangle loosely, and not stay put. What I've found is that the balljoint in the Accord, Legend and Prelude mirrors are built into the mirror itself, and is not fixable. You can see how worn out my current mirror was.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_z3UepmbX5NE/TPUURJj3_4I/AAAAAAAAA5o/D1oR7uTpydQ/s800/IMG_20101122_135827.jpg
What we have in this next picture, is a mirror out of an EG hatch. As you can see, the balljoint is built into the stem of the mirror.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_z3UepmbX5NE/TPUUF7-xpkI/AAAAAAAAA5g/VJ3fjiiENVo/s800/IMG_20101122_135922.jpg

This location of the balljoint allows for it to be re-tensioned. All you have to do is take off this cap
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_z3UepmbX5NE/TPUUbw2btNI/AAAAAAAAA5s/XGAWeObnKS0/s800/IMG_20101122_135553.jpg
Remove this torx bolt, and bend this little plate back where it belongs. This plate is used to keep tension on the ball.(I didnt take it this far, the tension on the mirror was good)
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_z3UepmbX5NE/TPUT5G5WS8I/AAAAAAAAA5c/lA9Jz0HcUug/s800/IMG_20101122_140047.jpg

In the next picture, you can see that this mirror is smaller than the Legend mirror i was running, but about the same size as the Accord mirror. If you really want to you can run a Broadway mirror and the extra weight wont be a problem. Nice part about this mod is that all the parts you need come from a Civic, which are a dime a dozen in most Pull-a-Part yards. (Civic top, Legend bottom)
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_z3UepmbX5NE/TPUTn1jYi2I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/Jsii7JjhiT4/s800/IMG_20101122_141107.jpg
A18A
11-30-2010, 12:01 PM
good stuff there, but how do they manage to keep hitting the mirror every time they get in the car? I don't see how its in the way lol
2drSE-i
11-30-2010, 12:04 PM
The dog i can explain, she comes up from over the arm rest to steal stuff on the dash and smack. The girlfriend, I'm clueless. She gets in, leans over (to put her bags in the floor, pervs) and smack.

EVERY DAY
ghettogeddy
11-30-2010, 12:20 PM
The dog i can explain, she comes up from over the arm rest to steal stuff on the dash and smack. The girlfriend, I'm clueless. She gets in, leans over (to put her bags in the floor, pervs) and smack.

EVERY DAY

i say replace the girlfriend and stop replacing mirrors....


but seriously i don think ive ever hit my head on my mirror and im 6'2" how tall is she
2drSE-i
11-30-2010, 12:24 PM
i say replace the girlfriend and stop replacing mirrors....


but seriously i don think ive ever hit my head on my mirror and im 6'2" how tall is she

5'8", shes just talented. i asked her how she does it and all she said was "I dont know i just do!"
stat1K
11-30-2010, 12:32 PM
you can also take the piece apart and substitute in some electrical tape around the ball joint piece, that makes it forever better to adjust and it doesn't vibrate near as much. the one that was in my civic when i got it was floppy as all hell, did this to it and then it was fine.

now i'm running a wink rally mirror for ultimate blind spot elmination.
Xaisk
11-30-2010, 03:33 PM
My girl does the same thing all the time haha. It is aggravating as hell but I love her!
Dr_Snooz
11-30-2010, 10:13 PM
Good to know. I've replaced one mirror already. Thanks!
mitchy13(pikachu)
11-30-2010, 11:23 PM
hahah thats why i bought a full length mirror. was tired of someone smacking that poor mirror!!
phrenology
11-30-2010, 11:38 PM
I pulled a 2nd Gen Legend mirror thinking it would bolt right up, and it did but the angle of the dangle was all off making it relatively useless. :(
wh1skea
12-01-2010, 06:51 AM
....and it did but the angle of the dangle was all off making it relatively useless. :(

Thats what she said???

I guess I need to keep an eye out for a civic next time I go to a yard.
charliekuney
12-01-2010, 09:45 AM
My best friend Alan does this more than anyone who gets in my car. :| He also never locks the door.
2drSE-i
12-01-2010, 09:50 AM
Heres your solution when your mirror starts slack-assin'
charliekuney
12-01-2010, 09:56 AM
Just if installing actuators was this easy...
MessyHonda
12-05-2010, 10:27 PM
haha ever since i installed the legend mirror my gf has smacked the rear view mirror a few times
DBMaster
12-06-2010, 04:08 PM
This topic was discussed on here several years ago which was when I had issues with mine. I used a toothpick to get some JB Weld on the cracks in the plastic socket of the joint (whose idea was that?). Then I dribbled some blue Loctite into the joint itself. This has held for a number of years now.
2drSE-i
12-06-2010, 04:13 PM
This topic was discussed on here several years ago which was when I had issues with mine. I used a toothpick to get some JB Weld on the cracks in the plastic socket of the joint (whose idea was that?). Then I dribbled some blue Loctite into the joint itself. This has held for a number of years now.

Yeah i had that idea, but with flexible window weld. I decided that the 2.70 mirror from the junkyard was a more viable fix lol