the ball joint on both of my side mirrors (55 F100) are worn and the mirrors will not stay in place. Is there a way to tighten this ball and socket? There does not seem to be any way of tightening it.

 

Lower pic: Is this the type of mirrors your truck has, or are they the chrome mirrors (no pic)?

 

No they are chrome

 

The chrome mirror is reproduced, available from all the repro parts sellers.

 

I bought a couple mirrors for my 62 Merc truck at a swap meet a couple weeks ago and the mirror heads are loose as well. Another guy at the swap meet said to take a centre punch and hammer a couple peens on the ball and it will tighten it up. I haven't tried it yet to see if it will work. I want ro pull the glass out first so I don't break it. ,Doug

 

I popped off the glass- it might break. You can tighten the retainer and replace the glass. I went to my local glass shop and had them make several at a couple bucks each.

 

Had success on my '66 tonight. Loosen the set screw and pull the mirror and ball joint out of the bracket. Pulling the mirror. Set it flat and push the mirror in. It is spring loaded. Work the retaining clip out and remove the mirror. I used a razor utility blade.
Retainer clip for mirror. Once the mirror is out, tighten the ball tension with the nut. Good as new!
Tension screw for the ball joint behind mirror.