Busted drivers seat control panel

[belundy]

Just so this is documented on the forum...

The plastic panel that holds the drivers power seat controls busted loose last week--the plastic screw bosses cracked and separated where they meet the seat metal tabs.

Appears that getting in and out pushes the seat bolster down which pushes on the panel, which after 80k miles work hardened the plastic bosses and bust, leaving the screw and some plastic at the tabs.

Hated the idea of buying a new panel with controls, however the panel hung completely loose and dangled from the wire harness--couldn't ignore it.

After some thought about a farmers fix, I bought some 1/2" dowel rod and two #12, 1.5" self drilling sheet metal screws with hex heads.

I cut two pieces of dowel about 3/4" long and used my bench grinder to taper them and trial fit until they wedged into the bosses snugly and allowed 1/2" of thread to poke through and engage the tabs. Drilled 3/16" holes in the center. Thought about also banding the outside of the bosses, but didn't.

Put dowels into bosses, screws in and tightened. Seems solid, for now...

[CAjack42]

Originally posted by belundy
Hated the idea of buying a new panel with controls, however the panel hung completely loose and dangled from the wire harness--couldn't ignore it.
.....
Put dowels into bosses, screws in and tightened. Seems solid, for now...

It's a poor design. Sounds like a good fix.
But you don't have to buy the panel w/controls (assuming you mean the switches). I recently replaced that panel on my Ody (they are nearly identical) for $18.75.
I kept the old piece and was going to fool around with it to see if I could come up with something. Thanks.

[jay_man2]

Many complaints several years ago about cracks in that panel. I had to pull the seat adjustment switches off because I kept rubbing against them and lowering the seat as I was getting out of the vehicle, but luckily never busted the panel loose.

[atremblay]

Mine is broken too. I tried tape and that didn't last long...I'll try your dowel fix this weekend.

thanks for the tip.

[belundy]

Let us know how the repair goes. Mine is still solid.

[Big_D]

My drivers seat switch panels on my 04 has broken at the mounting points also. There are 2 panels that are loose. I'm going to replace both of them since several bosses are broken on each panel. I'll report back with the part numbers. I am planning on putting the old switches on the new panels.

[Cinderalie]

I have an '03 Pilot with 103K miles on it. Same thing happened to me and I've got it rigged to stay with a couple of long screws and some cotton balls...lol! I was hoping I'd find a solution on this board for an inexpensive fix. I was wondering if the dowel solution was still holding. I'm definitely going to try this! Thanks so much for posting your solution

[atremblay]

The dowel fix worked for me for only 1 month. After this failed, I went to the stealership and bought the part brand new for about $15. 2 or 3 screws and it was perfect. Its been two years with the new part and I am very happy I did it.

goodluck.

[Cinderalie]

Not the answer I was looking for!!! hahaha Thanks for letting me know you had to get a new part. $15 isn't bad at all! I think I'll forget about the dowel rod and just go to the dealership for the part. Thanks so very much! You've been a great help.

[CAjack42]

Be prepared for a shock. Some of those seat plastic trim pieces have increased in price 3x and 4x over the last 2 yrs.

[belundy]

Dowels still holding great 2 years in. Craftsmanship difference, I'm sure.

[onu2002]

Need help with broken plastic trim on seat track

[Danff96]

I did this fix and it has been solid for many months. Another string showed a diagram as well that was similar. While the replacement part is good my concern was the plastic would snap again so I actually think this is a better option until the plastic snaps from the entire panel. I added some gorilla glue around the base of the screw assembly where it connects with the panel where I could see some stress similar ti what breaks on the 2003 model so maybe a bit of added help to strengthen the areas around the base. I agree bad design if they put a slight bit of aluminum in the molding it would have solved thousands of breaks.

[3rdrow]

Originally Posted by Danff96

I agree bad design if they put a slight bit of aluminum in the molding it would have solved thousands of breaks.

yea but then the parts department wouldnt be able to sell thousands of the little plastic trim pieces for 15 bucks/ea. do the math...if they sold 5000 across the US and Canada for $15 average, that gives them a cool $75,000.