Can I switch out the hot shoe mount on an 80D with one from a 70D

[bonobohead]

I’ve got a non-working 70D and a working 80D with some corrosion on the hot shoe mount. Are the hot shoe mounts of the two models compatible, and is it a simple enough job to remove and swap them out?

[Waddizzle]

It might be possible.  You’re getting awfully close to the pentaprism and carefully aligned components. 

Typical [repair] of this kind would involve replacing the entire top assembly because of the time involved in disassembling and then reassembling the hot shoe.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Based on my research, they are the same.  I don't believe Canon changed the way hotshoes were mounted (top vs. bottm) until the 90D.  So you can change the shoe mount itself out fairly easily.  You'll need two small (very small) screwdrivers.  One flathead, one phillips.  The flat head will be used to release the shoe insert.  The is the piece that sits in the shoe and provides retention force.  It slides out easily once the retention force is released.  Be careful not to scratch up the contacts.  The shoe mount itself is held on with 4 phillips screws.  Normally you remove one at a time. apply loctite and tighten.  This works if the shoe mount becomes loose and "floppy".

Replacing the shoe mount is a little harder because of alignment.  Be sure you have the screws straight, do not cross-thread.  Also do not use gorilla force to tighten.  Snug is good, but they can strip if you use too much force. 

The newer shoes all use a bottom mount retention and for this repair, I recommend sending the camera to Canon for proper disassembly, tightening and reassembly.