erratic auto folding wing mirrors

[Chrisk52]

Hi everyone, the wing mirrors in my 2003 3.5 ltr XJ8 have started to become erratic in opening and closing so can anybody help with instructions as to how to safely open them up to clear out accumulated dust etc and to lubricate the mechanism? I seem to recall seeing an article in the last year on how to do this (JEC mag or JWM) but can't find it now that I need to give the wing mirrors some attention.

[ptjs1]

Chrisk52,

You will probably find that the problem is caused not by dust but by alloy corrosion of the mount and hinges. To fully clean them you need to get to the top and the bottom halves of the mechanism. From memory, Barry's article in the mag just covered the process of getting to the top half. I'll try and take some pics in the next hour and post back here on how to do the bottom half.

Paul

[Chrisk52]

Thanks Paul any help will be gratefully received

[ptjs1]

Chris,

Ok, I took a few pics.

First of all, tape a towel or sheet on the door, up under the mirror as you will be getting lots of bits of alloy dust coming off!

Manually fold the mirror forward as shown in pic below:

Then carefully wiggle back the puddle lamp housing remembering that there are wires still connected for the lamp:

You can then remove the two wires and completely remove the puddle lamp housing. You may well be very surprised at the amount of alloy corrosion on the body hinge, hence the need for the towel!

Use a brass brush or similar and clean up all the corrosion then lubricate the mechanism and replace the wires and lamp housing.

Bingo, folding mirror again!

Let us know how you get on.

Good luck

Paul

[Chrisk52]

Hi Paul

you weren't kidding about the amount of corrosion dust it almost filled the puddle lamp housings! However having cleared all of that, wire brushing the mechanisms (yet more corrosion) and applying lubrication hey presto everything works properly again. I did have a little heart stopping moment until I noticed the passenger puddle lamp housing was not fitted properly and was fouling the mirror). All in all 30 minutes well spent, which I couldn't have done without your guidance thanks once again.

regards
Chris

[ptjs1]

Chris,

I'm really pleased that you were able to sort it and that i was able to be of some help.

If yours were that bad underneath (they all are!), you might also want to do the top half. Fold the mirrors in this time and then prise off the outer body-coloured mirror caps. They have a few extrusions which clip under the frame. Then do the same cleaning treatment on the top half.

See here for the magazine article:

http://www.jec.org.uk/mag/je022013/#/32/

As you see, it's quite incredible how much alloy corrosion builds up!

Paul

[Chrisk52]

Thanks Paul, hadn't realised it was over a year ago that I saw the article and yes with the guidance given I'll certainly be having a go at the tops over this weekend (storms permitting!)

[andypryce]

Useful info, thanks both, mine don't fold at all so will be trying this when I get a chance.

andy

[ptjs1]

Andy,

I'd blame the previous owner

Paul

[andypryce]

Your words, not mine...

[Chrisk52]

attended to the top halves yesterday evening and whilst they were both corroded, there wasn't much in the way of loose debris like there was with the bottom halves. Still I feel confident that wire brushing and lubricating the tops as well as the bottom halves can only help in the long run.

it can be a bit nerve wracking getting the covers off for fear of scratching the paint but I found that a broad bladed wallpaper scraper did a first class job.

As far as Andy's issue is concerned he doesn't say whether the mirrors give any indication that they are trying to close i.e. any sound or attempted movement of any sort. If all is quiet and still it would suggest to me that the problem might be elsewhere other than the corrosive debris in the housing?

[andypryce]

They make a noise for a second as if trying to close, but then nothing, can close them manually with a bit of a push, so suspect may be similar problem to yours. Will have a look at the weekend and post back.

Andy

[robv12]

Useful info, thanks both, mine don't fold at all so will be trying this when I get a chance.

andy

Andy the powerfold function on your car is switched off, or at least was, I do this on all cars due to the very problem mentioned above

to switch back on, go to your touch screen, menu, set up, vehicle settings, and touch power fold mirrors "ON"

I think that is the sequence, but cannot check as I am 500 miles from my nearest 350 atm!!

[ptjs1]

Andy,

See, I knew it would be the fault of the previous owner, one way or the other!

Paul

[andypryce]

I couldn't possibly comment..