LT4 Dash
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Derwood MD
St. Jude Donor '06-'09-'10-'11
LT4 Dash
Hello, All,
I am considering a 2009 C6 LT4; one part of the LT4 package is a leather dash. I recently spoke to a very knowledgeable Corvette shop owner and he had just finished replacing a leather dash (pretty expensive job) because the leather had shrunk. In all my years in the car hobby I have never heard of such a problem with leather. Has anyone experienced this situation or heard of it?
Thanks,
Jim
I am considering a 2009 C6 LT4; one part of the LT4 package is a leather dash. I recently spoke to a very knowledgeable Corvette shop owner and he had just finished replacing a leather dash (pretty expensive job) because the leather had shrunk. In all my years in the car hobby I have never heard of such a problem with leather. Has anyone experienced this situation or heard of it?
Thanks,
Jim
Popular Reply
Nov 29, 2024, 05:14 PM
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 2,334
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
It happens, but it’s not guaranteed to happen, nor are there any statistics on how likely it is to happen. It’s like a lot of other relatively expensive problems to fix - the victims complain so they get all the press. My 4LT dash is at least 13 years old, and I’ve had the car since Sep 2017 so good chance it’s original. I don’t slather it with leather conditioner and just keep it clean with a damp cloth and so far so good. It doesn’t keep me up at night nor do other expensive things that might happen like the harmonic balancer or fuel tank fitting leak. I’ll deal with whatever not when, but if it happens. Buy it, drive it, enjoy it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,378
Likes: 6,524
From: Melbourne, FL
It happens to all manufacturers with leather dashboards. Especially if people don't care for them properly.
It's not that expensive of a job. Under $2k in most cases. A lot of people make it out to be a bigger deal than it is.
It's not that expensive of a job. Under $2k in most cases. A lot of people make it out to be a bigger deal than it is.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
It's '4LT" and yes this was an issue when these cars were pretty close to new. I don't remember what GM did about it other then warranty replacement. You may want to google it just in case they did do some kind or TSB/RECALL on it. I think it started around 2008.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 2,334
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
It happens, but it’s not guaranteed to happen, nor are there any statistics on how likely it is to happen. It’s like a lot of other relatively expensive problems to fix - the victims complain so they get all the press. My 4LT dash is at least 13 years old, and I’ve had the car since Sep 2017 so good chance it’s original. I don’t slather it with leather conditioner and just keep it clean with a damp cloth and so far so good. It doesn’t keep me up at night nor do other expensive things that might happen like the harmonic balancer or fuel tank fitting leak. I’ll deal with whatever not when, but if it happens. Buy it, drive it, enjoy it.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 507
Likes: 312
From: New York
It happens, but it’s not guaranteed to happen, nor are there any statistics on how likely it is to happen. It’s like a lot of other relatively expensive problems to fix - the victims complain so they get all the press. My 4LT dash is at least 13 years old, and I’ve had the car since Sep 2017 so good chance it’s original. I don’t slather it with leather conditioner and just keep it clean with a damp cloth and so far so good. It doesn’t keep me up at night nor do other expensive things that might happen like the harmonic balancer or fuel tank fitting leak. I’ll deal with whatever not when, but if it happens. Buy it, drive it, enjoy it.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 3,900
Likes: 1,252
From: Northeast
Hello, All,
I am considering a 2009 C6 LT4; one part of the LT4 package is a leather dash. I recently spoke to a very knowledgeable Corvette shop owner and he had just finished replacing a leather dash (pretty expensive job) because the leather had shrunk. In all my years in the car hobby I have never heard of such a problem with leather. Has anyone experienced this situation or heard of it?
Thanks,
Jim
I am considering a 2009 C6 LT4; one part of the LT4 package is a leather dash. I recently spoke to a very knowledgeable Corvette shop owner and he had just finished replacing a leather dash (pretty expensive job) because the leather had shrunk. In all my years in the car hobby I have never heard of such a problem with leather. Has anyone experienced this situation or heard of it?
Thanks,
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,674
Likes: 1,830
From: Huntsville AL
Do you really think all members on the forum own C6, 7, & 8's? I'm at 20 plus years and just recently bought a C6, before that all C2 & C3.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 3,900
Likes: 1,252
From: Northeast
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: SC
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 3,900
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From: Northeast
Well I like to broaden my knowledge all Corvette, if nothing just out of curiosity especially when your generation of the forum is getting bored or nothing new being posted. I'll go to another generation just to keep my self busy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,502
Likes: 717
From: Sausalito CA
Yes, leather dash shrinking is common on many brands of cars.
Surprisingly the OP has never encountered this.
OP has noted this can be a big/ costly job, including windshield removal.
Sunshades and leather care can slow down the process, but I understand it is the glue GM used, not the length & width of leather GM used.
All FWIW
Surprisingly the OP has never encountered this.
OP has noted this can be a big/ costly job, including windshield removal.
Sunshades and leather care can slow down the process, but I understand it is the glue GM used, not the length & width of leather GM used.
All FWIW
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,150
Likes: 7,435
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The 4LT leather dash problem started with the C6, through the C7, & into the C8 generations 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,042
Likes: 3,584
From: Central MO
But as a long time member, you likely search the forum you are interested in finding information on for a potential issue. Or even a Google search, since it also returns forum results. I think many times people are lazy (or get the typical not good forum search results), and it's just easier to post the question.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,448
Likes: 1,386
From: SC
But as a long time member, you likely search the forum you are interested in finding information on for a potential issue. Or even a Google search, since it also returns forum results. I think many times people are lazy (or get the typical not good forum search results), and it's just easier to post the question.
And to the OP, it's not shrinkage, it's failure of the glue. I can't prove it but I think this one is not "if" but "when". Seems pretty prevalent. And it's not limited to C6 or Corvettes or GM, pretty much all brands since they limited VOC emissions. The glues just aren't what they used to be and they seem to use it very sparingly.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,042
Likes: 3,584
From: Central MO
Sure I search but so many of these threads (just like this one) go off into the weeds that sometimes it's better to just start over fresh.
And to the OP, it's not shrinkage, it's failure of the glue. I can't prove it but I think this one is not "if" but "when". Seems pretty prevalent. And it's not limited to C6 or Corvettes or GM, pretty much all brands since they limited VOC emissions. The glues just aren't what they used to be and they seem to use it very sparingly.
And to the OP, it's not shrinkage, it's failure of the glue. I can't prove it but I think this one is not "if" but "when". Seems pretty prevalent. And it's not limited to C6 or Corvettes or GM, pretty much all brands since they limited VOC emissions. The glues just aren't what they used to be and they seem to use it very sparingly.
I agree with you regarding the environmentally friendly glue (and that for most it's mostly a matter of when, not if it will delaminate), but also believe leather treatments and glass cleaner contribute to the issue, by dissolving/loosening the glue at the front of the dash, where the raw edge is exposed. My car was 2 years old when I bought it, and never had any leather treatment or glass cleaner directly sprayed on the windshield during my ownership. Dash wiped down with a slightly damp microfiber, and glass cleaner sprayed onto the microfiber for windshield cleaning. I had the front edge completely stapled end to end and had the shop use solvent based adhesive for the repair.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 877
From: Richardson Texas
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
BadAV, from everything I can ascertain from reading and videos, you’ve fixed yours exactly right. Thanks for sharing. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 1,939
From: Missoura Ozark's
As some have post/stated it happens, mine has not shown any issues so far, but if it does I’ll have it fixed.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=C6+Das...&ghacc=0&ghpl=
https://www.bing.com/search?q=C6+Das...&ghacc=0&ghpl=