Fixing broken headlight housing

[monicaownsayaris]

A deer hit our Yaris the other day, but we hit its back end and managed to walk away with just some bumper cover cracks and random broken plastic along with a dent in the fender.

But the headlight housing came loose, and upon further inspection it cracked at all 3 bolt spots. The headlight is completely fine and works and all, but we can't re-attach it since each area on the plastic housing that gets bolted to the car cracked off.

So my question is, would I have to buy a whole new headlamp assembly or could i just replace the plastic casing that holds the headlamp with the bolt holes??? I really don't want to have to spend $60-80 just because some of the plastic ripped off.

[monicaownsayaris]

To clarify these are the areas that cracked off:


So the black plastic has 3 areas that cracked off, but the actual headlight is ok

[CTScott]

You can buy replacement tabs that attach to the headlight with screws from your local dealer (If you look where the tabs broke there are actually places for the screws to attach). They are about $10 each, but a replacement headlamp is typically way more than $30.

[monicaownsayaris]

Yea $30 for 3 tabs is MUCH better than $80 for the headlight assembly I found on ebay. And it'd be such a waste since the actual headlight aside from the tabs is completely ok.

However I took a look at it and I'm not sure where I'd screw the new tabs in. On 2 of the broken tabs, there are these 2 holes sticking out (the first picture) so that looks promising. But the third I can't guess as to where I'd screw it in (second picture). Maybe it'll make more sense when I buy the tabs or when I look again during daylight, but at least it's not obvious to me now.


and

[Klink10]

Sorry about your misfortune and glad all are okay. I knew I bought those headlights off another member for a reason.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by monicaownsayaris

Yea $30 for 3 tabs is MUCH better than $80 for the headlight assembly I found on ebay. And it'd be such a waste since the actual headlight aside from the tabs is completely ok.

However I took a look at it and I'm not sure where I'd screw the new tabs in. On 2 of the broken tabs, there are these 2 holes sticking out (the first picture) so that looks promising. But the third I can't guess as to where I'd screw it in (second picture). Maybe it'll make more sense when I buy the tabs or when I look again during daylight, but at least it's not obvious to me now.


and

There are only two repair tabs, so apparently Toyota doesn't consider the top one to be critical.

[OTA'sTOY]

CT
i think you mean the tab where the fender/bumper meet

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by OTA'sTOY

CT
i think you mean the tab where the fender/bumper meet

Correct - It's actually the bottom, not top one.

[monicaownsayaris]

Yes - it's the one by the fender that doesn't have those holes. So I guess I can repair 2 of the tabs then

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by monicaownsayaris

Yes - it's the one by the fender that doesn't have those holes. So I guess I can repair 2 of the tabs then

Correct.