Wing Mirror Lubrication?

[arfur45]

Morning guys

Just a quick question for you experts out there who have been unbelievably helpful since I joined this forum.

The only fly in the ointment of my fantastic ls430 has been the nearside wing mirror has not dipped for several months. The mirror housings fold in and out as they should when ignition is started or stopped and the glass on both can be moved in and out by the controller. However the nearside glass does not dip when reverse is selected or by using controller (offside is fine on all the above).

Having mused for several months about replacing the whole mirror at quite a cost (apparently this is lexus only answer to this regular problem) I decided this morning to have one last try, so with my non existent mechanical skills I moved the glass manually up and down quite a few times really quite forcefully.

I then put the car in and out of reverse about a dozen times and hey presto both mirrors worked perfectly every time! Also worked perfectly from the controller.

Having set the scene in I admit a rather long winded way my question is can you somehow lubricate this part of the wing mirror mechanism as I believe this may be all that could be required to solve this problem. Thanks for bearing with me guys and any advice would be gratefully received as always

Mark

[Bluesman]

Shoot me down in flames I dont mind but can they be switched off so they dont fold in. Mike

[arfur45]

Yes Mike the folding/unfolding mechanism can be switched off but that works fine.

It's the changing of the angle up and down that has been the problem

[Bluesman]

Ah sorry. Got it wrong, dont know whats wrong so cant be of any help. I am useless, but I'm old so dont care. Mike

Hopefully you will get the answer soon.

[ambermarine]

Hi Mark

You will need to remove the mirror and to do this follow the next instructions very carefully.Take a piece of soft cloth and insert under the bottom and side edges of the mirror and gather the cloth together above the mirror in one hand .

Pull sharply upwards and away from the mirror housing angled at about 30 degrees.This will release the mirror from the clips that hold the mirror onto the moving element of the mechanism .You will then be able to access the moving parts. do not use oil, use vaseline or lithium ( white grease).When you have serviced the moving parts the mirror clips back in place .

[Titch LS]

Silicon spray works well. It doesn't attract dirt like grease does.

[arfur45]

Thanks for all your help guys

Much appreciated as always

I'm just wondering how many more replaced wing mirrors could have perhaps been saved by this vigorous unsophisticated remedy? ?

[Mybikes a cx500]

Silicon spray works well. It doesn't attract dirt like grease does.

Also with a tube on the spray can you could sneak it past the glass and give everything in the mirror housing a good lubricating- no dismantling!