Warped right lower lower dash pad-PICS
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Warped right lower lower dash pad-PICS
Anyone ever fix this successfully? I've noticed lots of vettes with this issue. Mine has pulled away from the center bezel a bit. The PO tried to tighten the screws which have striped somewhat. I'll need to JB weld the holes and retap the screws. Will simply heating and working it back to it's original shape last, or will the warp return. Here's a pic of mine and one that was posted yesterday.
Thanks for your help and suggestions in advance guys!
Mine
and the other pic
Thanks for your help and suggestions in advance guys!
Mine
and the other pic
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,417
From: Westminster Maryland
I think the newly re-threaded screws will help your situation a lot. Do you know that the bottom of the pad has a 'tongue' that sticks down into a groove in the top forward part of the console and helps line the two parts up?
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
Funny you bring this up. I was changing out my bezel and always hated that. I have seen cars that line up perfect. And I have seen top flight cars with it looking just like that. Think I see more not match than match 
You may want to check the very tip of the pad. The plastic sometimes breaks. Look on the undeside where the vinyl doesn't cover the piece. You can mend that with fiberglass/resin or structural adhesive.
Looking at your pics, your broken bezel doesn't help with the alignment either. And check that the center console is attached to the bezel under the radio, and also at ther rear. That will insure the console is in the correct position before you mend the tip.
You get yours fixed and I'll send you mine
You may want to check the very tip of the pad. The plastic sometimes breaks. Look on the undeside where the vinyl doesn't cover the piece. You can mend that with fiberglass/resin or structural adhesive.
Looking at your pics, your broken bezel doesn't help with the alignment either. And check that the center console is attached to the bezel under the radio, and also at ther rear. That will insure the console is in the correct position before you mend the tip.
You get yours fixed and I'll send you mine
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Funny you bring this up. I was changing out my bezel and always hated that. I have seen cars that line up perfect. And I have seen top flight cars with it looking just like that. Think I see more not match than match
You may want to check the very tip of the pad. The plastic sometimes breaks. Look on the undeside where the vinyl doesn't cover the piece. You can mend that with fiberglass/resin or structural adhesive.
Looking at your pics, your broken bezel doesn't help with the alignment either. And check that the center console is attached to the bezel under the radio, and also at ther rear. That will insure the console is in the correct position before you mend the tip.
You get yours fixed and I'll send you mine
You may want to check the very tip of the pad. The plastic sometimes breaks. Look on the undeside where the vinyl doesn't cover the piece. You can mend that with fiberglass/resin or structural adhesive.
Looking at your pics, your broken bezel doesn't help with the alignment either. And check that the center console is attached to the bezel under the radio, and also at ther rear. That will insure the console is in the correct position before you mend the tip.
You get yours fixed and I'll send you mine
I was unaware of the tongue tab so I'll also see if that's broken off.
Thanks guys.
Glenn
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
Don't know where the tongue/ tab thing came into this. There are 2 threaded studs at the bottom of the gauge bezel. These slip into slots in the metal support riveted to the floor console. That what you mean?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,417
From: Westminster Maryland
There's a short (1/4') white plastic 'tab' on the very bottom of the two dash panels that slips into a groove in the top corners of the console. They're there if Bubba has broken them or cut them off. They're intended to keep the pad on each side of the gauge bezel lined up with the console.
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: STANTON CA
There's a short (1/4') white plastic 'tab' on the very bottom of the two dash panels that slips into a groove in the top corners of the console. They're there if Bubba has broken them or cut them off. They're intended to keep the pad on each side of the gauge bezel lined up with the console.
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
There's a short (1/4') white plastic 'tab' on the very bottom of the two dash panels that slips into a groove in the top corners of the console. They're there if Bubba has broken them or cut them off. They're intended to keep the pad on each side of the gauge bezel lined up with the console.
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by dennis; Apr 25, 2008 at 05:46 PM. Reason: info
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Porters Lake Nova Scotia
on mine there were clips on the bottom of the 2 dash panels that the radio access panels slipped into, and then the panels screwed into the console. This helped mine, its not perfect, but its good enough for the girls i go out with
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
I was away today so haven't had a chance to check on the plastic tab comments. I'll check this out. It's interesting because I don't remember seeing anything in the AIM detailing this.
Glenn
Glenn
Last edited by GD70; Apr 29, 2008 at 09:03 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Checked the dash pad and no tabs, though looks like there possibly was one there. Sucker is stiff as hell when pushing it closer to the center bezzel. Will definately need some heat to soften a bit. Anyone got a pic of this tab?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
Geez!!! are we talking about the tip of each dash panel as being the tabs?? Under the vinyl is foam padding covering the plastic shell of the dash panel. The plastic has a tip that meets the center console. Again, its covered with foam and then the vinyl.
There is a indentation in the console, at the front outside on both sides, In theory the left and right dash pad tip fits there to form a continuous line with the stitched console edging .
There's no other tab............. period
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Porters Lake Nova Scotia
but there is a clip where the cover panels go, and that will pull it in a bit. All i am saying is dont start pulling and bending your dash panels until you get these cover panels installed and secured, you may be happy with how close it is without risking snapping your dash.
Last edited by ace_cobra; May 3, 2008 at 07:48 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Geez!!! are we talking about the tip of each dash panel as being the tabs?? Under the vinyl is foam padding covering the plastic shell of the dash panel. The plastic has a tip that meets the center console. Again, its covered with foam and then the vinyl.
There is a indentation in the console, at the front outside on both sides, In theory the left and right dash pad tip fits there to form a continuous line with the stitched console edging .
There's no other tab............. period
There is a indentation in the console, at the front outside on both sides, In theory the left and right dash pad tip fits there to form a continuous line with the stitched console edging .
There's no other tab............. period
I tried heat and weighted it overnight to attempt to bend the lower section in towards the bezel. Didn't work. The plastic shell is not very compliant even when heated. Put it back in this morning and still about the same. I'm gonna pull it out again and JB weld the bezel side screw holes which are stripped, re-tap them and see if that helps any.
Glenn
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
I'm considering the same thing. When I saw the broken tab I even thought about using a piece of scrap metal cut to size and glassed to the broken area for added strength. What I'd like is if someone has a close up pic of this area in tact for reference.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
There actually is a tab that is part of the plastic shell as Alan mentioned. The last 1/4 inch or so is broken off on mine, but can see where it use to be.
I tried heat and weighted it overnight to attempt to bend the lower section in towards the bezel. Didn't work. The plastic shell is not very compliant even when heated. Put it back in this morning and still about the same. I'm gonna pull it out again and JB weld the bezel side screw holes which are stripped, re-tap them and see if that helps any.
Glenn
I tried heat and weighted it overnight to attempt to bend the lower section in towards the bezel. Didn't work. The plastic shell is not very compliant even when heated. Put it back in this morning and still about the same. I'm gonna pull it out again and JB weld the bezel side screw holes which are stripped, re-tap them and see if that helps any.
Glenn
I just don't get where this tab is I just ran to the garage and took my right side panel out. Took a few pics. Maybe someone can explain where the tab is in relation to the pics
Mines cracked as well. I tries weld a long time ago, with no luck abviously). All I see is the black foam, some contact cement, and the plactic. No tab or indication one broke off. Anyone see where it was or should be?
Last edited by dennis; May 3, 2008 at 02:19 PM. Reason: pics