Droopy sun visors

TacoBell07 · Mar 16, 2023

I have not not exactly sure how it mounts though.

duque00 · Mar 17, 2023

How what mounts? The Honda Clip?

Musubi3 · Mar 17, 2023

Musubi3 said: ↑

I thought I'd update this thread on my experience resolving the sagging visor.
First off this thread really helped me and gave me the confidence to attempt this fix, so I appreciate what everyone has contributed, particularly post #51 (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/droopy-sun-visors.66292/page-3#post-19955851)

My Truck
2014 Tacoma with vanity light in the visor. My driver side visor was broken and drooping. I started hearing a louder pop when closing the visor.

What replacement cost would've been
About $202, not including shipping. Shipping to me in Hawaii, about $30. This is for a visor with vanity lights. The non-vanity light is almost half the cost.
Just FYI, the part number is 7432004220B0 for the driver side and 7431004120B0 for the passenger side.

Removal
I'm kind of particular, so I tried to find images or videos of removing WITH the vanity light, but I could not find any. Turns out it was no big deal anyway. You unscrew the two screws holding the visor in and it just pulls right out. There's a cartridge looking piece that pulls out with it. This is just the light connection. No clips, no resistance. Easy.

Felt Cutting
I used a sharp X-acto type knife and carefully and slowly cut along the seam. I just cut what I needed to to access the drilling area.

My Findings
The black clamshell like case had cracked along the area where it pivots. It cracked along the seam, but you could tell that connection broke, with slightly uneven edges. Inside the case (prying it open a bit), parts were loose and clearly the plastic piece holding that metal piece (in post 51 that you're bolting down) was loose and free to turn. I tried seeing if I could pull the entire case apart, but seemed like more effort was involved and did not try it.

Drilling
So this is the main reason why I'm writing this post.
Post 51 tells you where to drill according to the edge of the dots. Problem is the dot pattern changed. Not only is the pattern completely different, but the dots are on both sides of the visor. So which side to drill the 1/2" hole? You drill the 1/2" the side with the mirror on it. This goes for the driver and passenger side.
Where to drill? Well, I followed post 51 the best I could and based on the pictures, I guessed and drilled. I was close, but needed a dremel to make the hole larger to expose the part over the metal piece.

For me, I had measured the 1-3/16" from the edge of the dots. Turns out, I was off about a 1/4", meaning I overshot it and should have drilled about 1/16" short of an inch from the edge of the dots.
For the other measurement, it was about 3/4' to 13/16" from the mirror frame/bezel edge.

Follow post 51 for the rest. 1/2' bit is only to give you clearance. The smaller bit is for your bolt.

Bolting
I found a random bolt and flange nut, cut it down, and installed it snug. Super easy.

Reassembly
I sewed mine back together and this part took the longest..because I'm particular. I also used duct tape to squeeze the clamshell back tight, to cover the larger hole I created, and to cover the bolt end (making a smoother bump).

End Result
Like new. Nothing overly tight and no where near loose. Like how it should be. No sagging and holds its position. With my sewing (which isn't that great), you can't tell I opened it up. I also saved buying a new one.

It probably took me 2 hours to do this, but most of this time was spent sewing and inspecting. Having a dremel is such a life saver for me. The plastic is soft, so you could probably make corrections with another bit. One day I'll do my passenger side when it starts drooping.

Anyway, hope this helps people. Just know you may need to widen the 1/2" hole some to fine tune. Otherwise, easy fix and mod.
Click to expand...

I did this recently again to my passenger side visor. Cut it open, drilled a couple holes, used a nut a bolt, then tightened, sewed back up. Cost was just a couple bucks. Looks the same and works like new. I like keeping my vanity lights and didn't want to spend hundreds on a new pair only for this to probably happen again.

wdavis18 · Mar 19, 2023

Never taken these apart, but I am guessing there is a torsion spring that is embedded in them to hold them up

duque00 · Mar 20, 2023

Yes you are correct. I am looking into getting the Honda clip from my post above and see how that does!

LeNoah · Mar 20, 2023

Just boaught a replacement on Amazon for $25. Haven't installed it yet but it looks fine. Slightly darker than stock but not noticable unless you hold them against each other.

Kolohe07 · Mar 20, 2023

Had that with my 08, sold the truck last year, and upgraded to a 2023 Sport.
I've seen replacements on Amazon.
Can't speak of the quality though.

duque00 · Mar 20, 2023

The $25 are probable non lighted vanity mirror. Usually can be found Ebay/Amazon etc for less than $50

LeNoah · Mar 20, 2023

Correct. No light but I don't have (or need) one now.

trvsl · Mar 28, 2023

Bought and returning this $25 job from Amazon

$22 Dasbecan Left Driver Side Sun Visor Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 2005-2012 2013 2014 2015 74320-04181-B1 Gray Without Light

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DD3HVB1?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

The shape/size doesn't quite fit the headliner cutout and when you try and pivot the visor towards the door, it contacts the headliner. On top of that, the plastic door over the mirror rattles when closed. Binder clip trick works ok on the original, but want a more better solution.

Local dealer has the non lighted for $53. Or maybe I just try and see if I can open and fix the original

ghardy · Sep 26, 2023

KevinG said: ↑

I had this same issue. Oddly enough, my driver and passenger side visors broke in the same week! Eight years old and the driver's side gets used 99.9% more than the passenger side, but they broke at the same time... Go figure.

Anyway, here's the problem and how to fix them without taking the visor apart. I did this about four months ago and haven't had an issue since:

Problem: The functionality of the visor is achieved by a metal clip. That clip is held in place by a cheap, molded plastic tab that is easily broken. See great internal pictures above from "N minus 1." I managed to lose my broken plastic tab before I decided to take pictures. I opened one visor to look at everything, then did the second visor without opening or pulling out the rod.

Repair: We're going to drill a hole through the visor and install a screw, nut, and washers to hold that metal tab in place.
I used 3/16" and 1/2" drill bits. Parts: M5x30mm screw, matching retaining nut, 2 M6 washers, and M7 washer, and an M7 lock washer (Order: Screw, M6 W, Visor, M7 W, M7 LW, M6 W, Nut). This was just random hardware I had on hand - Other variations will work. The screw needs to be narrow enough to go between the metal tabs. The washer against the tabs needs to be large enough to "bridge" the tabs.

1: Use a razor knife to cut the seam, as shown.

2: Pull the fabric back and locate the side with the dimples.

3: Mark the location to drill. Measure 1-3/16" from the edge of the dimples, and center your hole on the second row of dimples.

4: Start drilling! I recommend drilling a pilot hole halfway through with the 3/16" bit. Then use the 1/2" bit to drill down to the metal piece. Once you see the metal piece, switch back to the 3/16" bit to drill the rest of the way through, between the metal tabs. (The next picture is just to show where to drill. Don't open the visor - You'll be able to see the drilling location through your 1/2" hole.)

5: Install screw, nut, and washers. Ensure the visor is rotated to what will be the "Up" position (as shown below). Once secured, rotate the visor up and down to ensure it isn't too tight.
If I were buying parts specifically for this, I would've opted for a flat head, but once sewn up, it isn't noticeable unless you're feeling for it.)

6: Sew/Glue fabric (go ahead and laugh at my skills!). I recommend sewing the corner, where it was originally sewn. But just use a hot-glue gun on the top seam. This was my first one. I used hot glue on the other and it looks much better (though I apparently didn't get a picture). Since this seam is up against the roof, it doesn't really matter.

7: Install in your truck - They're nice and tight again!

Click to expand...

This was the one for me! You're the man and thanks!

Hans Moleman · Sep 28, 2023

I bought a $20 one from Amazon and it sucks..the movement is hard and not smooth.

Icarus II · Oct 25, 2023

I did the repair from the video last night. It took 20 minutes. Works perfectly.

kneedownnate · Oct 25, 2023

Hans Moleman said: ↑

I bought a $20 one from Amazon and it sucks..the movement is hard and not smooth.
Click to expand...

I did that and had a low expectation, so I wasn’t mad when it started sagging within a couple weeks. The smell was atrocious, too! Not worth the time to return it

sheld · Sep 6, 2024

Thankful for this thread! Not the prettiest seam but it’s a 100x better than that damn droopy visor. Used some 3M spray instead of sewing. We’ll see if it holds

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