Broken armrest. Any ideas?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Aaron Vitolins, May 6, 2016.

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  1. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Broken arm rest on my 2012 Prius. Not sure how it broke, it's driving me crazy to be honest. If I look in side the door panel (by pushing the arm rest in as far as I can) I see these plastic pieces that are broken.

    The problem is, they don't seem like clips. Just plastic pieces that were melted together in the factory. How am I going to fix this. Any ways of fixing broken plastic? The fix has to be pretty strong becuse when anyone opens the drivers door to get out they push right on that arm rest.
     

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    #1 Aaron Vitolins, May 6, 2016
  2. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Look through ebay for replacement used parts for cheap
     
    #2 mrbigh, May 6, 2016
  3. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Couldn't find one. Think I must fix the door panel I have
     
    #3 Aaron Vitolins, May 6, 2016
  4. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Check Craigslist for someone parting out a wrecked Prius. They all have door panels
     
    #4 Rebound, May 6, 2016
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Take it right off for a good look. Or at least pop it loose enough that you can get a good look at the back.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, May 6, 2016
  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I broke my arm rest while under 36/36 warranty. Dealer tried remelting plastic clips the first time. It only lasted a short while until it broke again. Dealer replaced the door interior panel this time.

    I have not had any issue since then.
     
    #6 jdcollins5, May 6, 2016
  7. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    I think i will try that. maybe i could melt the plastic back together?? hope i don't die!
    Thank you!
     
    #7 Aaron Vitolins, May 7, 2016
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  8. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    FWIW

    Melting is worth a try.

    Also Home Depot et al sell plastic specific glues which could supplement the melting to add strength.

    Yes, get the panel off and look.

    Good luck.
     
    #8 Kenny94945, May 7, 2016
  9. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    I agree. Removing the panel is easy and your repair (no matter which road you decide) will be easier overall.
     
    #9 Montgomery, May 7, 2016
  10. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Thanks guys! Hopefully this week I can get some time to take off the panel. I'll watch a few YouTube videos on it. I took off the panels of my old Prius, surely it isn't much different. I will keep you guys updated
     
    #10 Aaron Vitolins, May 8, 2016
  11. icyrius

    icyrius Active Member

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    No need to melt them. Just go to Walmart and buy plastic epoxy glue. My son's 2014 had four of them broken from previous owner. I applied two coatings. The first one was just to secure them in place. The second coating was generous to make the joins stiffer.
     

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    #11 icyrius, May 13, 2018
    Fabian Joya, tony_2018 and Mendel Leisk like this.
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