You people have heard of auto wreckers, right? They even have ones where you can wonder around yourself, with your own tools no less, and take stuff apart all day if you want. And I didn't think about headlight assemblies having ball joints, but I guess they do.

Some little furndurgle like that you're best bet is a help yourself yard.

edit - I seem to be the first person ever on the Internet that used the term furndurgle. Google found it too, damn Google is scary fast.

 

Yeah, we people have auto wreckers. The people would like to know if there are any specifics to this and not just ripping the joint out of another camry. The guy at Toyota was saying it is part of something else and wanted 80$ for it.

 

Going by the pics on Google Docs, it looks like a plastic insert is missing that the ball joint snaps into, but hard to tell. Will the headlight push back into position like it wants to snap into place?

 

The socket is not missing, it is there. It just does not hold the light in. The light does push back like it wants to snap in but the socket won't hold it.

@ uibalnme

I plan on replacing them with some nice depo clears but I need a plan of action with the socket.

 

That looks like the adjustment pivot. Does it pop out after you pop it back in? You can get a good replacement headlight at a local auto salvage yard for about $30 or so.

Another option would be to apply some silicone sealant right onto the ball pivot, pop it back into the socket, then use painters tape to hold the headlight together until the sealant sets. The sealant should hold the pivot together, and still allow for some adjustment.

Cheapest option, pop the pivot back into the socket, and duct tape the top corner of the headlight together to keep pivot from popping out again.

Personally, I'd just replace the whole headlight.

 

whatta hell is furndurgle ?

 

+1

I googled it as suggested, but all it gave me was this thread...

 

lol a furndurgle is nonsense speak for a part that you have no idea what it is or what it does. I probably spelled it wrong, I guess?

Sorta like a mechanic telling a clueless customer that they have a short in the toolbox, gonna cost a grand for that.

 

come on people lets help this guy out. back to the topic

 

thanks, got it

funny word :lol: can't even read it right probably

 

My front right headlight is leaning in because of a broken plastic ball joint it looks like. Does anyone know where / what / if I can get a replacement for this thing ?

pics:
http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AZp9aD3YseueZHp3NmZydl8zMXZzd3Fma2My&hl=en

i would remove the headlight from vehicle and disassemble it.

once you reach the problem area use a Philips (cross) screwdriver to remove the plastic that holds the ball.
snap it back together and screw it in place.
if that dont work, i might have a spare plastic piece you can try...

if you rather not mess with it, you should be able to find some nice depos. that really improve the overall appearance of the car

 

I had the same problem. That small plastic part that holds pivot ball is impossible to replace without breaking up the headlight. I fixed this by using PL Premium Construction Adhesive. Pull the ball out and use a long screwdriver or a stick to push that glue into the opening. Push the ball in and use the tape to keep it in the position until glue sets.