I'm having problems with my center console window switches on my W123
 

One of the problems is that the chrome painted plastic frames pop off when I push the wondow switches down, and because of that, I had to pop up that vinyl piece, and now the vinyl wont become flush with the center console anymore. I need advice on how to fix the switches from falling into the console, and how to make the switches click easier, seeing that me pushing so hard (becasue it is <i>very</i> difficult) made it pop down in the first place. All help is appreciated.

You need
 

to open the switch and clean up the contact terminals.

I recently cleaned the switches on SWMBO's W123. I used a pocket knife to lever the housing away from the pivot on the switch rocker, first on one side then the other. I lifted out the rocker and 2 springs (in tubes cast into the rocker). Hint: Photograph the internals of the switch if you want a reference for re-assembly
There are 2 switch contacts and 2 ball bearings in the body of the switch.
I lifted these out with needle nosed pliers and cleaned the whole lot in contact cleaner. I added a little vaseline to protect against corrosion and re-assembled the switch with some vaseline on the ball bearings to reduce friction.
I repeated this process for all 4 rockers.

I did this because they were making intermittent contact, not due to stiff of hard to operate conditions.

30D_///AMG,
On your 81, the switches are the old style that don't have pictures and don't light up, and have ridges? I think the mechanism in there is a little different than like the newer switches that can be found in 82-on cars. Instead of ball bearings, there are rounded plastic rods that are in the aforementioned "tubes cast into the rocker".

You say the chrome plated frame won't stay clipped to the switches. Maybe some of the tabs/hooks are not engaging/clipping on? Maybe they're broken? Maybe you can use some glue? Another suggestion for this: for a while, I had my wooden console piece (that holds the window switches and shifter) out for refinishing. While it was out, the switches would dangle freely. Since I couldn't just push down on them to work them, I had to put my fingers under the switch body and operate the switch with my thumb. This allowed for a more controlled and better felt operation of the switch. Get what I'm saying? This may work for you in the meantime - take out the vinyl console plate and use the switches like a TV remote control.

And as for the switches being hard to use, the vaseline is a good idea.