RT-N66U antenna connector falls apart

[wouterv]

Just a little heads up, I believe to have read it here before:
Yesterday I had the 4 year old RT-N66U router in my hands and noticed that at least for 2 out of the 3 antennas the black plastic bezzel to screw fix the antenna is broken: 1 simply slips, the other shows a visable crack and doesn't function anymore. I suppose pliers will help to detach the antennas, no big deal.
Together with the other reports of broken power switches and failing power supplies it shows quite some silly mechanical weaknesses of this great product.
My old WRT54GL looks still brand new, including its antennas and good working powersupply.
Ok, we have to choose: either good firmware support, or more solid hardware.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Might the heat have caused the plastic bezzel to break?

 

[geo44]

I was thinking heat was the culprit too. When I got my N66R it was almost too hot to touch. Cheap plastic doesn't like heat. So I set up a small fan to blow across the unit and 2.5 years later the plastic
bezels are still good.

 

[wouterv]

The bezzel it self, or the outher antenna connector part does not become that warm.
I guess it is simply "cheap plastic" as Geo said, as cheap as the power switch.
The fan discussion is recently held with respect to AC routers, it is ok if it helps you.