What Causes the Dry Grinding Sound When Folding the Rearview Mirror?

[DiJuniper]

Rearview mirror folding noise is generally caused by insufficient lubrication of the internal torsion spring in the rearview mirror. You can disassemble the rearview mirror cover, spray lubricant on both ends of the spring, then manually fold and unfold the rearview mirror to see if the noise disappears. Repeat the process of spraying, folding, and unfolding multiple times until the noise is eliminated. Patterns of noise occurrence: One is during hot summer days when the sealing components expand due to heat and lack of lubrication; another is after rain or car washing, as the vehicle gets dirty, and tiny debris washed by rain or car washing adheres to the rearview mirror base and sealing components. Solutions: Manually extend and retract the rearview mirror, cleaning all visible rotating components connected to the rearview mirror during extension and retraction. After wiping clean, apply WD-40 rust-preventive lubricant to the rotating parts, spraying during both folding and unfolding. Plastic and wiring components may have gaps, misalignment, or movement, especially after exposure to sunlight, which can easily lead to such situations, causing the vehicle to produce abnormal noises on bumpy roads due to squeezing and loosening. The sound of electric current in the car mostly occurs when the vehicle is just started, especially during cold starts, when audio, air conditioning, wipers, and other devices are immediately or automatically turned on. The noise will automatically disappear after the engine warms up or the vehicle runs stably.

[MacElena]

My car's folding mirror makes a dry grinding noise, sounds like sandpaper rubbing, really annoying. This noise usually indicates lack of lubrication in internal gears or bearings. The mirror's pivot joints normally use grease to reduce friction - when the grease dries out or gets contaminated with dust over time, metal parts grind directly against each other, causing that dry grinding sound. For power mirrors, the motor drive mechanism could also be jammed. I'd suggest first manually checking the mirror pivot for dust buildup or deformation, try gently cleaning it. If the noise persists, applying special-purpose lubricant is recommended to prevent severe wear - otherwise you might end up spending hundreds or even thousands replacing the entire mirror. I've had similar issues before - delaying repairs eventually caused complete mirror failure, forcing me to rely on others' help just to park.

[BennettFitz]

I've driven quite a few cars and seen many cases of this dry grinding noise from folding mirrors. Most often it's caused by wear and tear on internal mechanical components or insufficient lubrication. After years of exposure to sun and rain, the plastic or metal joints at the mirror base gradually age, the lubricant evaporates or gets clogged with dirt, causing squeaking sounds when folding. Sometimes it's just loose pivot screws or sand getting into the mechanism that creates this noise. I usually try DIY solutions first - cleaning out dust and applying lubricant (being careful with electric models to avoid damaging motor wiring). While it seems minor, ignoring it could lead to complete mirror seizure, compromising reversing safety. Whenever I hear that sound, I think: cars are our partners, they deserve proper care.

[Gail]

My folding mirrors keep making a dry grinding noise, which worries me a bit. It might be because the internal parts lack lubrication or have gotten dirty. The gears and bearings inside were designed to be protected by grease, but over time the grease dries up, causing friction and that squeaky sound. It could also be dust stuck in the seams. After noticing this, I made sure to clean them during car washes or apply some automotive lubricant to prevent rust. Taking care of such minor issues early saves a lot of hassle—otherwise, repairs can be troublesome and expensive. I definitely don’t want my mirrors suddenly getting stuck while driving—how awkward would that be?