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Radio Knob $4 fix

Discussion in 'Knowledge Base Articles Discussion' started by 2k1Toaster, Jul 11, 2010.

  1. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Well when I bought the car in Feb, the radio's volume knob was missing.

    [​IMG]

    I looked online and found an OEM part website that sells the part for around $0.96USD. There were 4 parts that all looked the same with different product numbers. So for such a low price, I ordered one of each. When they arrived, they all looked the same.

    So for the fix you need:

    x1 #6-32 nut
    x2 #4-40 nut
    x1 #4-40 screw (flat bottom, about 3/4" long)
    x1 replacement knob
    and a bit of glue

    You can get the screws and washer from Home Depot in their $0.98USD/bag hanging hardware garden. The bags I showed came with nuts and screws. I bought them because I didnt know what diameter would fit the prius. The #4-40 fits inside the shaft and doesnt grip anything when in there. The #6-32 actually screws into the shaft. Would be perfect if there was a way to hold the shaft still while rotating in the screw. But there isnt, so we move on.

    [​IMG]

    Then assemble the nuts on the screw. So wedge the #6 screw between the 2 #4 screws. This is just to keep it in place. If you are good with glue then no need. But doing it this way, if you tighten it it keeps it perfectly perpendicular. It's hip to be square. :cool:

    When your little assembly is together, put the head of the screw into the knob hole so that the #6 nut is flush with the bottom of the replacement knob. It should fit snugly. Not tight, but not loose.

    [​IMG]


    Super glue, epoxy, bubblegum, whatever that sucker together. It doesn't take much. The force you apply will be rotational so try and get it all the way around. Also try to lock the nuts together. If you are working with something slow setting, getting it on the threads when you put the nuts on would be a good idea but totally overkill for a volume knob...

    Then put some more glue on the screw shaft (a liberal amount, thicker is better but doesnt have to be) and stick it into the broken radio knob hole on the poor Prius. Keep it still for a bit and make sure you only glue the screw to the inside part of the shaft of the donor hole. Otherwise it will not spin.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    So with a few US dollars worth of parts, and less than 5 minutes of time, my broken Prius radio knob is fixed and I defy anyone to spot it as a fake that didnt know. I see a lot of posts about the "$700 radio knob" because Toyota can't fix it, they just replace it. Well hopefully you mild DIYers can save a bunch of moola to get your car back to stock.:rockon:
     
    Pale Fox, Annem, SyCo and 2 others like this.
  2. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    Nice fix:cool:

    The thread in the shaft was most likely metric. If a 6-32 sorta fit, it was either a 3.5mm or a 4mm, probably a 4mm. Some Ace hardware stores carry a large variety of small metric fasteners.

    None of which takes away from what you accomplished.:rockon:
     
  3. xenonrider

    xenonrider Junior Member

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    i'm also missing a knob (the tone knob). can you let me know which website you found the knob?... or can I buy a knob from you?

    thanks!
     
  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    I can just put one in a bubble mailer and send it your way. PM me your address.
     
  5. xenonrider

    xenonrider Junior Member

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    PM sent. Thank you:rockon:
     
  6. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    The knob is in the mail for ya. It was a couple bucks, so don't worry about it.
     
  7. xenonrider

    xenonrider Junior Member

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    Got the knob today.. boy, that was quick! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!! Glad to be able to fix radio without having to buy a whole unit :)
     
  8. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Wow that was fast. Basically overnight for less than $2... Makes you wonder why USPS even bothers charging for express or priority service.

    Let us know how yours turns out, or if it is different in some way.
     
  9. xenonrider

    xenonrider Junior Member

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    Had a chance to put the knob in today. Was pretty straight-forward: thanks for the great instruction and the knob! Nice to finally both knobs:D
     
  10. delrey

    delrey Member

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    Oh thanks for these posts. Mine just broke off. I could live without it but I'd much rather fix it. I don't exactly *get* the instructions just sitting here reading this, but hopefully when I look at it and the radio at the same time it will all make sense. The pictures are gone :-(
     
  11. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Image links are fixed.
     
  12. priusnext

    priusnext New Member

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    Hi there. Although I own a highlander now, my next car will be the Prius. However, I appreciate being able to google radio knob broken and finding this. I just took my car to the dealer for its required maintenance. While there I asked them to fix the radio knob that had broken off. The radio still works, I just have to now control volume from the steering wheel. Well... just received a call from the service department. They are unable to fix the knob and will need to replace the entire radio system (which includes navigation). Total cost of the repair $1700! Really? Its a stinking knob.

    Would love to know where I can get these knobs.
     
  13. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    You can get used full radios for $300 to $800, the new one costs $1500-ish. Our Lexus radio costs $4,500 and was replaced under warranty because someone (my sister) stuck garbage in the cassette player because she didn't know what it was lol.

    Looking back at my emails I find where I got the knobs: toyotapartszone.com



    Shipped QtyUnit PriceExt Price
    90010-24115 KNOB
    [PRIUS | 2006 | USA] 1 0.94 0.94

    90010-24116 KNOB
    [PRIUS | 2006 | USA] 1 0.94 0.94

    90010-24121 KNOB
    [PRIUS | 2006 | USA] 1 0.94 0.94




    They all looked exactly the same, but did come with different numbers and packaged individually. Maybe there is a difference, but I have no idea what it could be.
     
  14. GPAofFairfax

    GPAofFairfax New Member

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  15. GPAofFairfax

    GPAofFairfax New Member

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    I was shocked to find that the knob was missing from Prius. My son found it outside the door and nowhere could we find the other part that must have flew off somewhere? It would have been nice to find a youtube video on what you show here. Pictures work better. I shall try, but I feel better when I see a video....
     
  16. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    It is pretty easy, give it a go!

    I am the opposite in that I get irritated when it is in video form. I want to be able to see all steps at once and go at my speed. Perhaps you can video your experience and post it to Youtube for those that prefer video. The more information out there, the better.
     
  17. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    And as an update, almost 3 and a half years later it is still working perfectly fine, and nobody knows any different.
     
  18. dulcimoo

    dulcimoo Junior Member

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    …Except us that is!
     
  19. Shaun_Collins

    Shaun_Collins Junior Member

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    Did any of you doing this fix loose the spring loaded pop out feature? It seems you would as zi understand it. I have both '04 & '06 Prii with what seems to be same radio but wifes '04 volume knob is broken. Sorry for asking but all the picture links are dead again.

    Sent via my LG V20 on Tapatalk
     
  20. Shaun_Collins

    Shaun_Collins Junior Member

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    Autozone is listing a generic radio knob under the Help line part number 76891 that allegedly fits for $ 3.59 + Tx. Anyone use this one to fix either knob ? Best Radio Knob Parts for Cars, Trucks & SUVs

    I tried to find Youtube vid but the only near relevant one is 7 min long & it is just a vent dash, radio, mfd removal bait vid to get you over to a radio repair site where he promises showing the knob fix but his site does not have as far as I can tell the fix. He just wants you to send radio to FL.

    Sent via my LG V20 on Tapatalk