Wing Mirrors - partial movement and excessive resistance

[BigCatXJS]

Hi All,

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere.... My X356 near-side wing mirror is somewhat intermittent with its folding action. Often the movement is non-existent or partial with groaning noises accompanied by a judder action on extension or contraction can be observed (I should highlight that I'm still referring to the wing mirror and not my state of health!! ). Off-side wing mirror action is fine and consistent. Any pointers on what the likely issue is and what might be done to attend to it ?

Thanks in advance!
Rich.

[Thixendale]

Hi,
It sounds like the mirror mechanism needs a service as it full of "gunk" for want of a better word. This is a common issue with all Jaguar and Land Rovers of this era - don't know about modern ones.

They need to be removed and cleaned out. I am sure that I have read a thread about this on the forum but not in electrical as it is a mechanical issue.

Search YouTube too.

Tony

[J44EAG]

A well known and common issue due to mixed metal corrosion within the mirror unit.

The spindles and mating parts corrode and piles of aluminium oxide dust form. This stops spindle movement and fouls up the mechanism. Ideally, the mirror units need removal from the car and transfer to the work bench. The amount of corrosion may well be significant. A good clean up lubrication and re-assembly will usually get things going again.

Mike K

[ptjs1]

Hi Rich,

Hope all is safe and well with you and the family.

You can sort a lot of 350 wing mirror problems in situ if you're careful. It all depends if the problem is at the "top" or the "bottom". A lot of the problems related to sticky or jammed folding mirrors is in the bottom half. You may be staggered at the amount of alloy corrosion that can build up in joint. Have a look at this thread in "Bodywork" and my pics and explanation:

viewtopic.php?f=280&t=8341

Good luck

Cheers

Paul

[BigCatXJS]

Many thanks for all the replies - appreciated!

I'll have a go at the weekend. It looks like attempts have been made to lube but whether that effort extended to cleaning-up the corrosion remains to be seen.

I've had the car since end of Jan and have made one business trip in it so far. Thereafter, lock-down kicked in so have only just recently started using. XJ-S and XJ40 not up to much either currently and CLK came out briefly earlier this week before the weather broke. Home schooling the boys whilst Sue and I have been working flat out has been, erm, challenging!

Rich.