EASY FIX for Loose/Rattling/Shaky Rear View Mirror

[kylwalsh]

Here's a quick guide to fix a loose, shaky, rattling rear view mirror. Mine loosened up after about 4 years. It drove me crazy, especially on washboard! My dealer quoted nearly $300 for a new mirror after I asked them to take a look. I lived with the loose mirror until it became maddening on a multi-day desert washboard trip…

Here I've cobbled together different posts and videos to tighten the loose mirror. Instead of needing a new mirror, I just needed to tighten 3 screws

TL;DR: This video helped me figure out how to fix my rattling rear view mirror
On my 2019 Ranger, this video for a Ford Transit shows how to fix the exact issue causing the rattle.

Here's a quick guide and a few links for fixing that rattling rear view mirror. I completed this fix about 6 months ago and wanted to share this info in once place.

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1) Remove the mirror covers
You need to remove the plastic covers surrounding the rear view mirror. Trim removal tools were all I needed.
The smaller, top piece was easier for me. The clips on the larger bottom piece required a lot of effort.
Take some care working against the windshield!

Helpful reference and images for removing covers: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/rear-view-mirror-swap.8686/post-167607

Here's what the larger bottom piece looks like removed:

And some service manual screenshots for 2019 Ranger (501-05, Headliner Crew Cab):

2) Remove rear view mirror
The video linked above has a helpful guide for this (~1:11).

I used a set of pliers with a towel to carefully turn the base of the mirror counter-clockwise to remove.

Picture of plastic base after removing mirror:

3) Inspect and Tighten Screws
After removing the mirror, you'll see that it's connected to the windshield base with a small metal piece secured by 3 screws.

Here's a picture of what mine looked like after removal. No wonder it was rattling!

Check and tighten all 3 screws. Here's a picutre after tighening. There should be no more play between the plastic of the mirror and the metal plate:

4) Reattach Mirror and Plastic Covers
Reverse process for Steps 2 and 1 above.

Reattach Mirror (~2:56). As in the video, I didn't need or use pliers to reattach the mirror. It was easier with the metal plate firmly attached.
Then, carefully snap the covers back into place. No more rattle!

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I hope this summary and the links share helps someone else with this issue! Shout out to the Ford Transit video for a helpful reference!

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[DukeCanBuildit]

Nice write-up Kyle. It looks like you have the 300A pkg in your XLT. That’s a manual dimming rearview mirror, yes?

Hey @TDF017 - check out the mirror stalk on the non auto-dimming mirror above. It has a different interface than the auto-dimming, yes?

 

[kylwalsh]

Thanks Duke! Yes, mine is a manual dimming rearview mirror.

Here's a photo of the mirror attached to the windshield:

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Thanks Duke! Yes, mine is a manual dimming rearview mirror.

Here's a photo of the mirror attached to the windshield:

I have the same one and was wondering if the stalk was much different than the auto-dimming mirror. It is! The auto-dimming mirror stalk is a one-piece unit.

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