Any easy solutions to fix this?

[DM616]

The master windows area has been ripped for a while, it came like that when I bought my Camry.

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/2060/0801101158.jpg

Anyways, as you can see, the only way to truly fix this is to buy a whole new door panel, and truthfully, I don't have $100 right now to spend on this.

Any ideas on ways I can try to fix this? I was thinking gorilla tape..but then it stands out + wouldn't the heat mess up the sticky part of the tape?

What's the chance of rain shortening this out without me taping it off etc.? It sticks out... but not like in the picture.

Yes that is my thumb, not a toe, <_<.

[Nervous]

I think all what you need is just a new door switch bezel panel with good clips. Clips on your current one seem to be broken.
Or, just a couple drips of superglue.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

What if you drilled a bracket in connecting the bottom of the switch panel and the door panel. If you take the door panel off the car you should be able to put in some kind of bracket to hold it down. Or use some 3m tape like the stuff that holds on rain visors and body moldings.

But I agree, I think the problem is the switch bezel not the door panel itself.

[DM616]

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9205/0901101147.jpg

More close up, see how the leather is ripped? I think the whole door has to be replaced, even the mechanic when I showed him said there was nothing to do....unless he's wrong! D:

[Nervous]

I see. Then, like LittleWhiteBubble mentioned you can install a bracket there, so the clip will click on it.
Or just replace the door panel, I'm sure on junkyard you can find it really cheap. You don't need to replace whole door.

[Mike Gerber]

This is a common problem on the 97-99 Camrys. You don't have to replace the whole door panel. I had the dealer fix this problem for me as a favor some years back on my 98 Camry. Here's how to do it yourself for around $4.

Get yourself some 2 part epoxy and a couple of c-clamps. Remove the entire window switch. Look down in the hole and you will see how the panel has separated a bit. Mix up the 2 part epoxy. Apply it to the where the panel has separated. Now use the c-clamps to clamp this area tight for a few hours as the epoxy sets up. After a couple of hours remove the c-clamps and reinstall the window switch.

Mike

[DM616]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

This is a common problem on the 97-99 Camrys. You don't have to replace the whole door panel. I had the dealer fix this problem for me as a favor some years back on my 98 Camry. Here's how to do it yourself for around $4.

Get yourself some 2 part epoxy and a couple of c-clamps. Remove the entire window switch. Look down in the hole and you will see how the panel has separated a bit. Mix up the 2 part epoxy. Apply it to the where the panel has separated. Now use the c-clamps to clamp this area tight for a few hours as the epoxy sets up. After a couple of hours remove the c-clamps and reinstall the window switch.

Mike

Wait, I'm a bit lost. I'm not really sure what this epoxy paste will do but here's how I follow it.

I take out the part I am lifting with my fingers, I don't think it fully comes out, I think a part on one side is still attached, do I gently rip it out?

After it's out, do I disconnect it or anything?

Then I look in the hole, and I see some kind of seperation, what exactly is it? A plastic wall what am I looking for?

After that I apply this proxy paste to that panel...and clamp the area tight...I'm lost here....what do I clamp?..

Am I just sealing the gap or am I glue-ing this piece down? Thanks.

[Mike Gerber]

Yes, you remove the entire window switch. It just snaps out. Pull it back a bit and it should unclip from the front. Then disconnect the electrical connector.

After the switch is out you can look down and it will become obvious what has separated and where to apply the epoxy and clamp it. You are just epoxying the gap that has formed on the part nearest the seat of the car. You are not epoxying the switch down. After a few hours you remove the clamp, reattach the electrical connector to the switch, and then snap the switch back down.

Sorry, I don't have the 98 any longer, so I can't take pictures or give you a better description than this. I am doing this from memory from about 10 years ago.

Mike

[DM616]

Alright, when I disconnect it, should I disconnect the battery or no? And I'll talk a picture after so I make sure what I have to proxy.

So I'm sealing a gap...but I just don't understand, I guess I'll have to see it for myself.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

It'll be easier to work on if you take the door panel off. Then you can get to it from both sides.

[DM616]

Originally Posted by LittleWhiteBubble

It'll be easier to work on if you take the door panel off. Then you can get to it from both sides.

I don't think so, because in the guide for taking off the door panel (http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t145402.html), he takes out the master switch before removing the final door panel...so I think I don't need too...Hopefully Mike backs me up on this one.

Here's a picture I got for you Mike: http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/5372/0903101112.jpg

So where exactly do I put this epoxy? A lot, a little? Thanks

And should I roll the window down or not?

[LittleWhiteBubble]

It may not give you better access to it, I've never had to yank the driver's side panel off. But if you need to get to it from the back side it could help. I don't see why the window position would have any effect though

[DM616]

Yah I just realized the wire is really short <_< I'll have to get this harness apart somehow, maybe a flathead. But I just need to figure out where to apply the epoxy and clamps, as I'm still a bit lost in this, and how it will affect the end results. But let's hope this works

[workerant]

Glue a new longer clip... I'm sure U can find some long clips at homedepot that you can use.

Look for cabinet door clips, it might work.

[DM616]

So it really is just a clip? For the side I am opening up right? And that's..defective?

I'll take a look around. Thanks to all for helping.