Problem with the Tomtom ball join holder!

robert_winter_1000

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Hello all,

I am using Tomtom 6000 for more than a year. Now got a problem that the plastic holder (balls join) start getting weak (wear and tear!). The GPS is pitching down during driving. Every ten minutes I must re adjusted. The new holder cost about €40,- . Using superglue is not a solution because then I can not adjust the GPS anymore.

Any one has an idea about a solution for this problem.

Kind regards,

Robert
 

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Chrishazle

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Unclip the holder from the ball, put a few wraps of teflon tape (the thin white stuff used on plumbing joints) round the ball than re-attach the holder. Worked for me when I had the same problem with my Navman F20.
 
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robert_winter_1000

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Unclip the holder from the ball, put a few wraps of teflon tape (the thin white stuff used on plumbing joints) round the ball than re-attach the holder. Worked for me when I had the same problem with my Navman F20.

It is a good idea but the problem is that it is not possible to unclip the holder from the ball!
 

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LostKiwi

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Using a dremel carefully cut a slot down one side of the socket. Put a hoseclip on and tighten to adjust friction?
 

Chrishazle

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It is a good idea but the problem is that it is not possible to unclip the holder from the ball!

Yes it is, just takes a bit of BF&BI! I had to do it to attach the piece that the 600 slots onto to the ball of my Brodit mount in the 968 cab!

LostKiwi's approach sounds pretty good (if you have a Dremmel and a steady hand!). I had to do something similar recently to make a cheap pair of wiper blades fit my S204 - glad I did, as I ended up with excellent quiet wipers for just over £4 as the supplier gave me 50% refund as the were not the straight swop he thought they were!
 
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Chrishazle

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davemercedes

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I'm very interested in this because I have 3-month old 6100.

Contact TomTom customer services - maybe via "ask a question". Tell them you expect a replacement without charge, point out that we have legislation i.e.: Sale of Goods Act (superseded by Consumer Rights Act - 1 October 2015) and use the expression "not suitable for purpose".

On this page it says "You have the right to get faulty goods replaced or repaired if it's too late to reject them. You can ask the retailer to do either, but they can normally choose to do whatever would be cheapest."

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/sale-of-goods-act

It may be only €40 but you probably had to earn €60 in order to spend it so if they don't cough up, spend the money on a small claims case!
 

television

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I have loads of spare mounts, but all packed away. I never use them but do not throw them away
 

umblecumbuz

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Lostkiwi's suggestion sounds simple and effective. Even with just a hacksaw, a slit can be cut - at an angle if necessary - where the ball holder is nearest to the edge of the moulding.

To go the Small Claims route seems to me to be throwing good money after bad, because the obvious defence to any claim would be wear and tear, which would be near impossible to refute.

Umble
 
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television

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You could pour one of the Loctite products into the ball, some never set completely
 

davemercedes

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Lostkiwi's suggestion sounds simple and effective. Even with just a hacksaw, a slit can be cut - at an angle if necessary - where the ball holder is nearest to the edge of the moulding.

To go the Small Claims route seems to me to be throwing good money after bad, because the obvious defence to any claim would be wear and tear, which would be near impossible to refute.

Umble

Hmm... a chocolate teapot then? My previous TomTom was more than 4 years old and it's now being used by my daughter. The mount is slightly different and has no problems whatsoever. ergo the newer one in use "for over a year" (OP posting) is 'not suitable for purpose'.
- And I bet they'd settle before the case is heard.
 

LostKiwi

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Costs more than €40 to register the claim from what I recall.
 
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Chrishazle

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I just wish I could cure the scuttle shake in my 968 cab which makes reading my Go 6000 on a Brodit mount over the centre air vents impossible at times! I don't have to worry about the machine drooping on the mount - the shake on the scuttle takes care of making life difficult all on its own!
 

davemercedes

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Costs more than €40 to register the claim from what I recall.

I didn't know that; just looked it up - it's £25 to claim online although there is also an arbitration service (which is probably more designed to make you give up!) that you can also use online. If it was me - and I can find time to do it, I would use it - grrr... just to make TomTom spend time and effort on it.

https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/court-fees

It says "You may be able to claim the costs back if you win the case" - so it's a gamble on getting costs repaid too. This "justice" smells a bit.

However, I still think the threat of a court action by a disgruntled customer would be likely to prod them into sending a replacement. That only takes an email.
 

umblecumbuz

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Small Claims? It's all time ... and aggro ... and research ... and turning up on the day ... where to park the car ... then sitting around waiting for your name to be called ... thinking of how much better you could use all this wasted time!

And the best result for all this? The offer of a free new holder ... if your claim is successful. What has it all cost you?

Been there - no thanks.

Reckon the 'slit-fix' above is the easiest way to go.

Umble.
 
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television

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Just found an odd couple of these and there is a screw in the center that can be tightened up.
 

davemercedes

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Just found an odd couple of these and there is a screw in the center that can be tightened up.

Doubtful if the older type will fit the 600 series (?) The one on my 6100 is different - much wider and would not fit my old one. Current one looks like this:

635760062585256927PF.jpg
 

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Use no more nails.. Job done


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