4LT Dash Pad problem!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 70
From: TX Hill Country
4LT dash pad was replaced on my former 08 after 18 months due to an identical condition. My car was a garage queen and the dash pad still came delayered near the windshield. Was replaced under warranty and no rattles after the replacement.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,507
Likes: 722
From: Sausalito CA
Well it must be failure of the adhesive.
Either heat, water, chemical or lack of adhesive upon build.
No matter, to diagnose the dash must be removed.
Then either stretch and reattached leather or replace entire dash panel.
If GM is involved could be down time of 7 days or more.
Whether GM warranties or OP pays would need to be reviewed.
Being the 2nd owner, there may be some repair to the car you are not aware of.
FWIW Because of color match I would try to stretch and reattach first.
Good luck, yes first failure I've seen.
Either heat, water, chemical or lack of adhesive upon build.
No matter, to diagnose the dash must be removed.
Then either stretch and reattached leather or replace entire dash panel.
If GM is involved could be down time of 7 days or more.
Whether GM warranties or OP pays would need to be reviewed.
Being the 2nd owner, there may be some repair to the car you are not aware of.
FWIW Because of color match I would try to stretch and reattach first.
Good luck, yes first failure I've seen.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
That's the bad part of buying a used car. With proper conditioning, and proper care using a sunshield, both of what you did, it shouldn't have happened. But other than a manufacturing defect (the likely cause IMO), could have been a previous repair not done right (as noted), or previous owner sprayed/used something not suitable on the dash. Unfortunately, your car is well out of warranty, so you'll probably be on your own on that one. But you can certainly try a 'goodwill' warranty claim. The good news is the leather looks fine, so a good upholsterer should be able to fix it. The bad news is the dash removal. Good luck.
As a side note, those of us with 4LTs should be aware that leather dashes look great, but you have to take care of them. I condition mine with Leatherique's rejuvenating oil, and always use a sunshield when car is park outside, which is rare. And don't forget to condition the upper doors too, especially if you don't have tinted windows (I do).
As a side note, those of us with 4LTs should be aware that leather dashes look great, but you have to take care of them. I condition mine with Leatherique's rejuvenating oil, and always use a sunshield when car is park outside, which is rare. And don't forget to condition the upper doors too, especially if you don't have tinted windows (I do).
Last edited by JCtx; Sep 14, 2012 at 02:18 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 252
Likes: 3
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '12
My '08 Sierra had the dash cap crack, GM fixed it out of warranty how ever. If you're in good with a service department, they can do good will warranty work as they called mine. Just about every GM F-body has issues with the dash pads cracking, every 4th gen I see that's seen any sun has a broken cap.
We had a 98 Avalon how ever, car never sat in a garage from 1998 to 2012, no issues with the dash. I even made a comment to my dad about that when we traded the car in for another Avalon. GM could solve these issues, but I don't think they honestly care.
We had a 98 Avalon how ever, car never sat in a garage from 1998 to 2012, no issues with the dash. I even made a comment to my dad about that when we traded the car in for another Avalon. GM could solve these issues, but I don't think they honestly care.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 65
From: Tree City
I wipe it down using distilled water and a microfiber towel n between thorough cleaning and conditioning. Every 6 months I clean and condition with...
http://www.autogeek.net/sonus-leather-cleaner.html
http://www.autogeek.net/sonus-leather-conditioner.html
I do not believe they damaged the adhesive used by GM.
http://www.autogeek.net/sonus-leather-cleaner.html
http://www.autogeek.net/sonus-leather-conditioner.html
I do not believe they damaged the adhesive used by GM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Easy fix...even removing dash pad at first glance may be intimidating, but it's a fairly easy job if done carefully and slowly paying close attention to removing all dash screws. If GM doesn't warranty it, take it off yourself and have local shop reglue the covering.
Save the $1800 or whatever the dealership would rip you off for.
You might even get the adhesive yourself and do that too.
I wouldn't give it a second thought and jump on it myself if it were mine.
Save the $1800 or whatever the dealership would rip you off for.
You might even get the adhesive yourself and do that too.
I wouldn't give it a second thought and jump on it myself if it were mine.
Last edited by sfc rick; Sep 11, 2012 at 01:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 754
Likes: 6
From: Fort Worth TX
I would never have used water on a dash. Haven't you ever walked out in the grass with leather shoes? It doesn't matter what kind of preservative you put on it- if you have already saturated/moistioned the dash with water then sealed it with a sealer. And you more than likely loosened the glue that holds the pad down. I use Fiebing's Mink Oil. It is for vinyl and leather. It cleans and moisturizes. And it won't dry out the dash like water will. It looks good, too........
I will look into the mink oil. Does it make the leather greasy?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 754
Likes: 6
From: Fort Worth TX
Easy fix...even removing dash pad at first glance may be intimidating, but it's a fairly easy job if done carefully and slowly paying close attention to removing all dash screws. If GM doesn't warranty it, take it off yourself and have local shop reglue the covering.
Save the $1800 or whatever the dealership would rip you off for.
You might even get the adhesive yourself and do that too.
I wouldn't give it a second thought and jump on it myself if it were mine.
Save the $1800 or whatever the dealership would rip you off for.
You might even get the adhesive yourself and do that too.
I wouldn't give it a second thought and jump on it myself if it were mine.
The $1800 is an approximate price shipped from a forum vender.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 754
Likes: 6
From: Fort Worth TX
POSITIVE UPDATE
Went and talked to the dealer today. My old service guy, Bob Wrinkle, had retired. Spoke to Tim who stated they would do some checking to see what may be done. Well they surprised me when I was told I can pay $100 deductible and they would replace the defective dash pad.
While I was on my way home, Tim called to let me know the 4LT dash pad was back ordered and it would take a few weeks to come in (also that it cost over $2000!).
I honestly went there expecting them to tell me to pound sand. I guess it never hurts to ask!!!
Went and talked to the dealer today. My old service guy, Bob Wrinkle, had retired. Spoke to Tim who stated they would do some checking to see what may be done. Well they surprised me when I was told I can pay $100 deductible and they would replace the defective dash pad.
While I was on my way home, Tim called to let me know the 4LT dash pad was back ordered and it would take a few weeks to come in (also that it cost over $2000!).
I honestly went there expecting them to tell me to pound sand. I guess it never hurts to ask!!!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
POSITIVE UPDATE
Went and talked to the dealer today. My old service guy, Bob Wrinkle, had retired. Spoke to Tim who stated they would do some checking to see what may be done. Well they surprised me when I was told I can pay $100 deductible and they would replace the defective dash pad.
While I was on my way home, Tim called to let me know the 4LT dash pad was back ordered and it would take a few weeks to come in (also that it cost over $2000!).
I honestly went there expecting them to tell me to pound sand. I guess it never hurts to ask!!!
Went and talked to the dealer today. My old service guy, Bob Wrinkle, had retired. Spoke to Tim who stated they would do some checking to see what may be done. Well they surprised me when I was told I can pay $100 deductible and they would replace the defective dash pad.
While I was on my way home, Tim called to let me know the 4LT dash pad was back ordered and it would take a few weeks to come in (also that it cost over $2000!).
I honestly went there expecting them to tell me to pound sand. I guess it never hurts to ask!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,639
Likes: 8
From: Jersey Strong NY/NJ
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 754
Likes: 6
From: Fort Worth TX
