Why can't the ball of the interior rearview mirror snap into place?

[StReagan]

Rotate the original position 90 degrees to the left and slowly apply force to press the socket into the ball, then rotate it back to the original position. Alternatively, disassemble the mirror frame, remove the iron ring on the outer edge of the ball socket, and it can be installed easily. The mirror can still be used without the iron ring. Related information is as follows: 1. Function of the rearview mirror: The rearview mirror is a tool that allows the driver to directly obtain information about the rear, side, and lower parts of the car while seated in the driver's seat. For the convenience of the driver and to prevent traffic safety accidents and ensure personal safety, all countries require that rearview mirrors must be installed in cars, and all rearview mirrors must be adjustable. 2. Classification by installation location: Interior rearview mirror: The interior rearview mirror is designed to allow the driver to confirm the rear situation without significantly changing the forward line of sight while driving. Exterior rearview mirror: Passenger cars generally install exterior rearview mirrors on the doors. Some domestic vehicles in Japan also install them on the fenders. Under-mirror: The under-mirror allows the driver to see areas outside the front and rear wheels under the car body in the mirror directly in front of the driver's seat. It enables the driver to see whether there are people or obstacles near the front and rear wheels and the side of the car when reversing or starting forward, to avoid injuring people or objects and damaging the vehicle, providing convenience and safety to the driver.

[LeCharles]

I've also experienced the frustration of not being able to snap the interior rearview mirror ball joint back in place, mainly due to deformation of the plastic socket from prolonged use. I used to frequently force-adjust the mirror angle by pulling it hard, which eventually wore out the base socket. After struggling with it for a while, I found that using a heat gun to soften the plastic socket and pressing the ball joint in while it's hot can secure it. If the deformation is too severe, replacing the base is necessary—they cost just a few dozen yuan online. It's advisable to avoid being too rough when adjusting the mirror, clean dust with a soft cloth instead of scraping with hard objects, and this will help it last longer. Regularly checking the ball joint for cracks is also a good habit.

[LaKarter]

The issue of the interior rearview mirror ball not fitting into the socket might be related to temperature changes. Plastic contracts when cold, especially during winter when temperatures drop, causing the socket to shrink tighter. I've experienced this on mornings below -10°C, where it wouldn't snap in no matter what. After leaving it in the garage for half an hour to let the plastic warm up, it went in easily. If it consistently won't stay in place, it's likely that the anti-slip rubber bumps inside the socket are worn or missing. You can remove it to check if the four small rubber bumps are still there; replacement parts can be bought online. When replacing, aligning the angle and pushing straight in requires the least effort.

[MacJessica]

The most common issue is misalignment between the ball joint and the slot. Last time I spent ages trying to install it, only to realize the mirror stem needed to be lifted to a specific angle. First, pinch the ball joint and try different directions to locate the vertical locking point before applying force. If you hear a click but it immediately loosens, the spring clip might be broken. A temporary fix is wrapping the ball joint with electrical tape to increase friction, but this isn't a long-term solution. It's best to disassemble the base and inspect the retaining spring inside, then replace it with an identical one from the hardware store. Remember to apply some grease to the spring clip to prevent rust.