diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
index 23773cca6ab6..2e1051a9fbc3 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
@@ -2984,11 +2984,9 @@ def _wait_cursor_for_draw_cm(self):
         else:
             yield
 
-    def mouse_move(self, event):
-        self._update_cursor(event)
-
+    @staticmethod
+    def _mouse_event_to_message(event):
         if event.inaxes and event.inaxes.get_navigate():
-
             try:
                 s = event.inaxes.format_coord(event.xdata, event.ydata)
             except (ValueError, OverflowError):
@@ -3005,7 +3003,14 @@ def mouse_move(self, event):
                             data_str = a.format_cursor_data(data).rstrip()
                             if data_str:
                                 s = s + '\n' + data_str
-                self.set_message(s)
+                return s
+
+    def mouse_move(self, event):
+        self._update_cursor(event)
+
+        s = self._mouse_event_to_message(event)
+        if s is not None:
+            self.set_message(s)
         else:
             self.set_message(self.mode)
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py
index cf8438bb4aff..e4bf0ec68729 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py
@@ -339,27 +339,10 @@ def send_message(self, event):
         if self.toolmanager.messagelock.locked():
             return
 
-        message = ' '
-
-        if event.inaxes and event.inaxes.get_navigate():
-            try:
-                s = event.inaxes.format_coord(event.xdata, event.ydata)
-            except (ValueError, OverflowError):
-                pass
-            else:
-                artists = [a for a in event.inaxes._mouseover_set
-                           if a.contains(event) and a.get_visible()]
-
-                if artists:
-                    a = cbook._topmost_artist(artists)
-                    if a is not event.inaxes.patch:
-                        data = a.get_cursor_data(event)
-                        if data is not None:
-                            data_str = a.format_cursor_data(data)
-                            if data_str is not None:
-                                s = s + ' ' + data_str
-
-                message = s
+        from matplotlib.backend_bases import NavigationToolbar2
+        message = NavigationToolbar2._mouse_event_to_message(event)
+        if message is None:
+            message = ' '
         self.toolmanager.message_event(message, self)
 
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
index 7c1ff265aea3..7701efa9207c 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
@@ -747,8 +747,7 @@ def _get_groupframe(self, group):
         return self._groups[group]
 
     def _add_separator(self):
-        separator = tk.Frame(master=self, bd=5, width=1, bg='black')
-        separator.pack(side=tk.LEFT, fill=tk.Y, padx=2)
+        return NavigationToolbar2Tk._Spacer(self)
 
     def _button_click(self, name):
         self.trigger_tool(name)