Why does old, brittle plastic hate me so much?

[shertex]

I see it. I'm aware of the dangers. I know what I need to do. I need VERY GENTLY AND SLIGHTLY to pull back some plastic tab to open something up, release a part (e.g. the rear brake light assembly). But no matter how careful I am, the part (often) breaks.

Anyone discovered any tricks to prevent this from happening?

[TnBob]

Maybe warm them up with a hair dryer ?

[JamesDean]

Ahh those buggers. I think I've broken a few too in my day. Sad yes but not game ending.

I've never thought of using a hair dryer. Might be a good idea though!

[benedict]

Originally Posted by shertex

I see it. I'm aware of the dangers. I know what I need to do. I need VERY GENTLY AND SLIGHTLY to pull back some plastic tab to open something up, release a part (e.g. the rear brake light assembly). But no matter how careful I am, the part (often) breaks.

Anyone discovered any tricks to prevent this from happening?

Happens to me also. Australia has some of the strongest solar radiation in the world. I cracked my rear brake light also...and the bulb wasn't even blown: I just wanted to clean the window behind it. That will teach me.

Need to contact VW about my rear bumper bar melting last summer

[Mark DiSilvestro]

At least these problems don't usually disable the vehicle. Unlike my friend's '06 Chevy Silverado Pickup. His clutch pedal & bracket assembly is made completely out of plastic, and the part of the bracket that holds the clutch master cylinder has shattered, leaving him stranded. Junk!!!

Happy Motoring, Mark

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

At least these problems don't usually disable the vehicle. Unlike my friend's '06 Chevy Silverado Pickup. His clutch pedal & bracket assembly is made completely out of plastic, and the part of the bracket that holds the clutch master cylinder has shattered, leaving him stranded. Junk!!!

Happy Motoring, Mark

I am amazed that piece is not metal.

[Can't Know]

Don't feel too bad. It hates everybody.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by strelnik

I am amazed that piece is not metal.

Nothing like this suprises me anymore. That plastic pedal bracket was obviosly designed that way for quick assembly. It has a two-inch round extension
with a large square hole that sticks through the firewall. The clutch master cylinder (also plastic) has a matching square base that fits at an angle into the square hole. Then you twist it 45 degrees and it locks in place. Apparently it's not uncommon for these to break at this connection.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[tee51397]

It hates us all... I really hate it when I have to so something with a trim piece or other part that I know is NLA if.... correction WHEN I break it.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by tee51397

It hates us all... I really hate it when I have to so something with a trim piece or other part that I know is NLA if.... correction WHEN I break it.

Yeah, I got that 'NLA' feeling a few years ago when I acquired my Euro TD, and found the drivers plastic foot-rest broken into several pieces. The car has a burgundy interior, and in the past few years, I've only ever seen one other W123 with that color. So I found an intact carpeted foot-rest in the Pick-N-Pull out of a car with a dark-blue interior. Then I thought "Well, I've got the part, but now I'll have to find some burgundy carpet to finish the job. But when I freed up the staples holding the blue carpet, I found a black foot-rest, with vertical treads like my burgundy one "Hooray, black works just fine!" Apparently these foot-rests were made to go with or without carpet.

My wagon was also missing the driver's under-dash cover, but I was able to collect that later from the seller.

Happy Motoring, Mark