I took my 2004 Solara into my Toyota dealership for inspection today.
I also told them that we have heard something "rolling"
inside the passenger's side door off and on for about two years. I
had asked them to check it before but they said they found nothing.
Today I insisted that they take the door off and lo and behold they
found this round brass part . They said they don't know what it is
but that it is NOT part of the door or window system. I suppose it is
possible that someone dropped it inside the door when the window was
down (although who when and why seems puzzling)

Here's the question: Do you have any idea what it might be.

I included a $1 dollar coin in the photo for a size reference. The
part has a threaded dimple in the center and four cutouts around the
circumference.

Any help will be appreciated.

Here's the photo link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98775398@N00/4080521274/

"MrGBojangles" <MrGBojangles (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

It does not look like anything you would see inside the door. I'm wondering
if it is the backing for a large snap like you might see on a tonneau cover
or boat or RV cover.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawa (AT) NOSPAMtristarassociates (DOT) com> wrote

Perhaps an anchor for an arm rest bolt or similar?

I think I've seen these before... but naturally can't remember where at the
moment.

- Chris

"CH®IS" <sh (AT) dy (DOT) ca> wrote

It is possible that the piece is an anchor for an arm rest bolt, but the
diameter of the threaded part looks too narrow for the bolts and screws
Toyota uses for armrests, and Toyota usually either welds a nut on to a
metal frame, taps the frame if it is thick enough, or used a nylon insert.

I've seen pieces like that before but can't remember where either. I was
thinking that the 4 slots on the flange served the same purpose as the holes
in a clothing button, where thread passes through to secure to fabric, which
is how I came up with the snap guess.

I wonder if the OP's Solara is a convertible?
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

CH®IS wrote:

I was at NAPA today and on a whim looked at their revolving rack of
spare body parts. Nothing looked similar.

--

Perhaps you should look in a parts store that specializes in IMPORTED parts?
LOL


"Michael Golden" <gfy (AT) bkbusa (DOT) com> wrote

MrGBojangles <MrGBojangles (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote in news:b8acbe43-ccf3-4b0c-
bbad-1f10e33982b0 (AT) p35g2000yqh (...oglegroups.com:



Has this vehicle ever had any bodywork done to it?

That looks like a retainer nut for a fiber grinding or sanding disc.

And it's zinc-plated steel, not brass. The brassy-looking stuff is zinc
yellow dichromate.


--
Tegger