Dash Pad Clips
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 617
Likes: 17
From: Hamilton Ontario
Dash Pad Clips
Hey guys:
86 coupe
Pulled my dash pad today to see why it did not sit flat and level since ive owned it.
Looks like a couple of the dash pad clips have been broken off at one time.
Are these clips available at any of the parts houses??...i cant find them.
Has anyone pre-fabbed something in its place...maybe tack welded something on to work in its place? (pics would be nice)
Would like to hear some ideas here...don,t really want to have to get a replacement pad if i don,t have to.
Thanks
86 coupe
Pulled my dash pad today to see why it did not sit flat and level since ive owned it.
Looks like a couple of the dash pad clips have been broken off at one time.
Are these clips available at any of the parts houses??...i cant find them.
Has anyone pre-fabbed something in its place...maybe tack welded something on to work in its place? (pics would be nice)
Would like to hear some ideas here...don,t really want to have to get a replacement pad if i don,t have to.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
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From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Look to the left of the silver brace that runs from the dashboard area to the base of the windshield. I think that is one of the clips you are talking about.
Maybe you can blow the pic up so it is easier to see.
This was way back in 2005 on my 87 vert. I really don't remember how they were fastened. Maybe riveted?
Call Jason at Vette2Vette to see if he has some he could sell to you. He dismantles C4s all the time and he may know how they are attached.
Good luck!
Maybe you can blow the pic up so it is easier to see.
This was way back in 2005 on my 87 vert. I really don't remember how they were fastened. Maybe riveted?
Call Jason at Vette2Vette to see if he has some he could sell to you. He dismantles C4s all the time and he may know how they are attached.
Good luck!
Last edited by corvetteronw; Mar 27, 2013 at 10:44 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
do you mean the clips on the frame/chassis OR the spring clips on the dash pad itself?
if the frame, easy to use J nuts or U nuts. Attach and use the appropiate screw.
If its the spring clips on the pad...more difficult. Mounting is impossible on the styrofoam. You just have to find other places to secure the pad. I added screws along the front edge after mounting a strip of plastic along the top of the dash frame.
if the frame, easy to use J nuts or U nuts. Attach and use the appropiate screw.
If its the spring clips on the pad...more difficult. Mounting is impossible on the styrofoam. You just have to find other places to secure the pad. I added screws along the front edge after mounting a strip of plastic along the top of the dash frame.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Krap - now I remember. Too much of that Thai Gold when I was in SE Asia
Here is a pic after I took my dash out to repaint it and recover the fake speaker grills. You can see the clips are on the dashboard itself. I do not recall how they were attached though.
Here is a pic after I took my dash out to repaint it and recover the fake speaker grills. You can see the clips are on the dashboard itself. I do not recall how they were attached though.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 617
Likes: 17
From: Hamilton Ontario
do you mean the clips on the frame/chassis OR the spring clips on the dash pad itself?
if the frame, easy to use J nuts or U nuts. Attach and use the appropiate screw.
If its the spring clips on the pad...more difficult. Mounting is impossible on the styrofoam. You just have to find other places to secure the pad. I added screws along the front edge after mounting a strip of plastic along the top of the dash frame.
if the frame, easy to use J nuts or U nuts. Attach and use the appropiate screw.
If its the spring clips on the pad...more difficult. Mounting is impossible on the styrofoam. You just have to find other places to secure the pad. I added screws along the front edge after mounting a strip of plastic along the top of the dash frame.
1 clip is ripped right out of its "holder" big chunk out of the foam board.
pics of the underside of my dash right to left...the left side is the one that doesn't sit perfectly flat...not bad...but annoying
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 617
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From: Hamilton Ontario
vinyl / leather spray paint?
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
How much glare did you experience with that paint color?
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I used vinyl spray. The dash glared like a **** and was actually dangerous under certian sun angles. I also did not prep it to remove any silicone (Armorall) spray and the paint started flaking off in a month or so.
Paid Vette2Vette around $90 to have a used one shipped to me. Looked nice at first though
Paid Vette2Vette around $90 to have a used one shipped to me. Looked nice at first though
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
if the pad has the clips torn out...
hate to say it but you're SOL buddy...
nice looking pad tho...
I did mine in a recover with some very thin faux leatherette from a fabric shop, used some glue to secure it and pressed it to the pad, stretched tight. Its been 5 yrs so far and still in decent shape.
I'm NOT comfortable with paying $500 for a friggin chunk of styrofoam...
I did the spray paint deal myself...real dangerous with the glare..tried to dull it different ways but none worked well.
hate to say it but you're SOL buddy...
nice looking pad tho...
I did mine in a recover with some very thin faux leatherette from a fabric shop, used some glue to secure it and pressed it to the pad, stretched tight. Its been 5 yrs so far and still in decent shape.
I'm NOT comfortable with paying $500 for a friggin chunk of styrofoam...
I did the spray paint deal myself...real dangerous with the glare..tried to dull it different ways but none worked well.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 617
Likes: 17
From: Hamilton Ontario
The dash pad sits up a bit..ever so slightly...nobody but me can notice....very nit-picky.
The top of the dash pad is in excellent shape..not a mark on it.
I'll put it back for awhile until i order a new reproduction pad in a few weeks. and then i'll list this pad for sale on craigslist or somewhere. Its too nice to just toss aside.
Thanks for the tips guys
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
sounds like a plan !
Fortunately, all my front clips are intact so the pad snaps in place at the glass...I did have to 'engineer' a retaining system for the back edge nearest the driver to keep that from bouncing around and squeeking..
never ends...
must be love.
Fortunately, all my front clips are intact so the pad snaps in place at the glass...I did have to 'engineer' a retaining system for the back edge nearest the driver to keep that from bouncing around and squeeking..
never ends...
must be love.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I've had two things happen with the dash pad clips.
One was the clip missed the hole in the base of the windshield and the clip went over the top of the base -- left a bulge in the dash pad.
I've also had the clips get bent over because they weren't aligned with the hole and I pushed hard enough on the dash pad to bend the clip.
One was the clip missed the hole in the base of the windshield and the clip went over the top of the base -- left a bulge in the dash pad.
I've also had the clips get bent over because they weren't aligned with the hole and I pushed hard enough on the dash pad to bend the clip.