Loose ball socket

I recently purchased a Mountek Blade "nG6000g" mount from Amazon and the ball was ever so slightly smaller than the socket so the nuvi moved around just a bit while fiddling with the screen, so I feel your pain.

What I did was to apply a small strip of adhesive tape around the ball making the diameter larger and taking care that it doesn't slip when remounting the nuvi back on.

Scotch tape was too thin and slippery, tried masking tape and it worked.

Often gets loose in the summertime heat. The masking tape idea proposed by PaulieUrethane works well but can become difficult to remove during cold weather.

Be cautious about what type of tape you use. I tried adhesive tape once on an old mount and I couldn't get it apart. The adhesive glued the parts together on the hot dash. I've since switched to non adhesive teflon pipe thread tape. It has to be reapplied occasionally but it never sticks.

How about using blue painter tape. Thick like masking tape but adhesive is not sticky like most tape.

I think the blue tape deteriorates the same way as other masking tape. Maybe at a different rate. The weaker/thinner adhesive probably leaves less residue, but I don't think it eliminates the residue.

An orthopedist?

But seriously, try calling the manufacturer. Had a problem with Garmin's suction cup falling off the windshield, and they sent a replacement no questions asked.

In the future, simply slip a piece of a paper clip between the metal ring and plastic in the clip that attaches to the GPS. That will provide sufficient pressure to prevent the GPS from shifting positions.

Will have to give that a try!

Anybody tried a plain old piece of paper around the ball. Tear off the excess so it isn't seen

Great idea! Thanks for posting.

Apparently lots of people have this issue!

I've pretty much given up on the Garmin "G" ball mount. I switched to the RAM mounting system a few years back. A bit pricey but they never wear out.

I had the same problem with my Zumo 660 on my motor scooter. I successfully solved the problem by wrapping the ball in a sandwich baggie and then forcing the ball into the socket. I then ripped off the excess plastic resulting in a very neat result. Depending on how loose the fit is you may have to try different thicknesses of plastic, but I have not had a problem with my set-up.

Walt

I never thought of using a plastic baggie before but I think that's brilliant. No sticky residue and don't need to worry that the tape slips off while making the ball larger.

I've never experienced this before.

Do you remove and remount your unit often ?

I ran into the problem with the Mountek unit as mentioned up thread. It replaced the Garmin bean-bag mount (pad wore out and slides across the dashboard), where the mount that holds the nuvi, fits the ball perfectly and holds the gps steady. The Mountek ball, not so much.

As for removing and remounting the nuvi, I just push the release button and leave the mount in place and take just the nuvi with me. It's one on the powered mounts so that might be confusing.

...With the ball socket on my mounts. I just detach the GPS from the mount and then put the bean bag mounts (which I use on both of my units) away. However, if I had an issue, I would try the paper trick on the ball. I would think that would work.

Find yourself some liquid electrical tape and coat the ball in a thin layer.

realize that this post is/was three years old ?

Yeah, it's an older post but here's my experience. I have a 10-year-old Nuvi 1450 with a ball and socket mount. Three years ago the metal ring inside the socket broke so that the ball no longer snapped in. The socket is part of a piece that snaps over the top and under the bottom of the 1450's case for easy installation and removal. I bought a new socket piece from Amazon for I think $6, and everything has been fine ever since.

Phil

You bet I do. This was not for OP. I just figured someone looking for a solution might stumble on this thread like I did.

Like me! thanks

These things are so inexpensive that I couldn't be bother screwing around with It to make it work. I'd just order one from Amazon if needed.

OP Here! I remember this thread! Jeez that was annoying! But that was a few generations ago. I'm on to a freestanding dash beanbag thing now that works quite well!

I got a brand new aftermarket mount with a new 17mm ball that was way too loose. I checked the old socket with an old Garmin ball and with an old aftermarket ball, and everything was fine, so it's obviously not a broken socket. The problem is a new ball that's slightly too smooth or slightly too small. If you have a similar problem, you might have to try several things to find your solution.

What finally worked for me was a small piece of a paper shop towel. A thick paper towel or expensive paper napkin might also have worked.

A couple wraps of Teflon tape would work.

I currently have the same problem. While these postings are old, the suggestions are still good. Thanks.

…old topics can be relevant in the future.

I resorted to ordering a new mount off of ebay, but its already worn out and pops off too easily.

I may try running the gauntlet of these suggestions again.

I like the one about the Liquid Electrical tape coating, but wonder if it would peel off too easily?