Cheap options for fixing power window switch housing

[theevilsharpie]

A few days ago, I noticed that my driver's side power door/window switches were sagging in their housing so much that when I tried to press one of the button, all I did was push the switch cluster down.

I had a chance to look at it today, and found that one of the threaded cylinders that the switch cluster was screwed into had snapped off. The threaded cylinder is part of the molded plastic housing that the switch cluster sits in.

(Sorry if my terminology is off. Auto body was never my thing )

Is there a cheap way to fix this? It looks like something that superglue might be able to fix, but I have no idea of superglue would hold up to the stresses that a car door endures.

If it can't be practically repaired, where can I get a replacement (preferably cheap) other than a dealer or a junkyard? A quick peek on O'Reilly Auto Parts didn't show any interior body parts for sale, but I may not have been looking in the right place.

The car is a 2002 Toyota Corolla LE.

Broken part:

 

[SparkyJJO]

I would use an epoxy before superglue.

Other than that or a junkyard, you could try ebay for a used one.

 

[phucheneh]

Very easy job for epoxy. I'd use a little like glue between the broken bits, then also gob some up around the outside for extra strength. For all practical purposes, when dried it basically just becomes more plastic. The weak point is the bond between it and the existing plastic, which why I say give it a good connection on the outside, too. The more surface area the better.

 

[kornphlake]

Call a couple body shops, they might be able to get a hold of one for you. It's probably going to be a junkyard item though. In my experience adhesives don't adhere well to ABS/Polycarbonate blends.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I had a 03 pontiac vibe(toyota corolla wagon) that used the same switch setup. Mine was completely broke front and back though and would fall all the way into the door. I just super glued the crap out of it. I sold the car 8 months later and it was still fine. Take the switch panel off completely when you do it. There are a couple other little prongs in the middle you can glue too for added strength.

 

[LTC8K6]

Screws down through the top?

Drill up through the cover, counter sink the holes in the cover, get some nice stainless steel flathead screws, put them in through the top and use a nut and lock washer on the bottom.

Use the broken plastic part as the spacer to keep the switch height correct.

 

[Squisher]

Screws down through the top?

Drill up through the cover, counter sink the holes in the cover, get some nice stainless steel flathead screws, put them in through the top and use a nut and lock washer on the bottom.

Use the broken plastic part as the spacer to keep the switch height correct.

I think epoxy will hold it, but if he needs to do what you suggested he could paint the screw with one of those cheap touch up paints that come with a brush attached to the lid or if he really wanted to go whole hog he could sink the screw a little below the surface, fill with a little bondo, and then paint.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I don't believe the OP.

It's a Toyota, they never EVER break.

TROLL

:biggrin:

 

[LTC8K6]

I think epoxy will hold it, but if he needs to do what you suggested he could paint the screw with one of those cheap touch up paints that come with a brush attached to the lid or if he really wanted to go whole hog he could sink the screw a little below the surface, fill with a little bondo, and then paint.

If he's going to paint or hide the screw head(s), then he won't need to buy stainless.

I doubt that there is enough material there to hide the screw head, though.

 

[theevilsharpie]

Sounds like epoxy is the way to go.

Any particularly recommendations on a type and brand of epoxy?