Is there a metal or stronger plastic fix for the plastic hinge on the 1993 Explorer's arm-rest?

The acrylic plastic will glue back as strong glued with the correct Methylene or Ethylene Glue vs Super Glue. It has snapped at least 3 times. I would like something stronger (metal or stronger plastic). Tennis ***** under the rest have helped in the down position. It was straight up when I bumped and snapped it this last time. Do you have any solutions to the need or ideas? I’m thinking of possibly a hinge-less removable arm-rest (due to using that spot to haul long items but would rather have a stronger hinge. Please excuse the extra Pics.

Thanks in advance.
JOW

Pictures by JOW_06 - Photobucket

 

I use a product called Innotec Repaplast. I have repaired all the broken screw bosses behind the dash which hold the various switches. It's very strong.
Don't know if it's available in the US, I got it from www.fishermotorfactors.co.uk
Contact them and ask for advice. Don't forget the time difference! Good luck!

 

Lower right corner of the page. These used to be all over eBay but were still about the same price. They work. Installed one on my 90 Bronco II years ago to remedy the sagging arm rest.

LMC Truck Parts - Page 38

 

Thanks For The Good Replies! Now that I see the bracket/hinge possibly snaps out, I’ll consider building my own. I’ll consider making the 2 sides only out of ¼” Lexan Plastic. Was the hinge fairly friendly to snap out of the arm-rest?

JOW

 

Replacing my Explorer’s broken 1/8” Acrylic Plastic Armrest stand with ¼” Lexan Plastic (like metal). Some new replacements are metal, coated with plastic. Purchasing or building a new stand is half the job. The old hinge has a 5/16” metal rod, plastic coated in the hinge that has to come out. Someone posted, using a die grinder was the best method. “I disagree Judge”! Thinking it was a tube I wasted some good time but the die grinder shower me where to drill it into in steps. There was no room for a saw’s stroke in the tight area. Depending on the cost, it w/h been cheaper to purchase the stand. Except for physical/mental exercise and not being able to run some long objects/etc under the rest vs on top only. It never broke due to a load of STUFF on top vs my elbow bumping the rest with the brittle Acrylic Hinge.

Pics of hinge in progress:

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1276133652

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1276133804

A post on replacing and info related to the armrest is at the address below.
Fixing Ford Explorer Armrest Explorer Maintenance

 

IIRC (too late I know) the instructions I received with the part said to cut the hinge pin to remove it. I did so with a zizz wheel.

 

My Armrest’s stand was not a Showcase Winner or Savings. Really A Pain! The time invested or needed to get the exact needed patterns was the challenge (not having a flat object to trace). I’ll make money off the next ones if I paten the idea with patterns and etc. LOL! The metal stands coated with plastic will be your better fix (if the purchase “is from a Local Ford Dealer vs shipping” and less than 50.00 with quality). Less than 50.00 or close from a dealer is hard for me to believe. Please send a link if you know of this metal stand. I’m sure the cast Acrylic is less but not tuff due to heat and sunlight.

Links to the final Lexan stand:

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1276354032

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1276354121

I Had Fun!
Jow

 

Not too shabby!!! You have a one-of-a-kind there. The fun/challenge of doing it "your way" makes it worth it I know. Congrats!

 

Wow, does this thread bring back some memories!

Ford came out with a stronger hinge that I installed about 15 years ago on my 93.