F355 instrument binnacle - leather problems

[DrYazz]

Guten Morgen,
below find attached below Good Sirs, a picture of the leather surrounding my F355 Berlinetta's instrument binnacle. Not a pretty sight. It appears to be detaching itself, I can presume only due to sunlight? That area is certainly not subject to a lot of physical wear and tear.
How may this be rectified, without having to replace the entire unit?
Anybody have similar issues and what remedy have you employed?
Bis später. The good Doc.

[DrYazz]

ferrari spider said:

Yes Yaz this is a problem on the 355s, usually it happens in hot country's were the leather dries out. Also the air con can dtry out the leather and thus it shrinks. Is your car a UK car? Some cars have the dash peal back to as well as the airbag. Its always good to regularly treat the leather so it maintains its moisture and flexibility.
Anyway yours does not look to bad so may be you can re-stretch the leather back over the edge of the pod. The pod is easily removed, its only held on by two X head screws, one either side of ya wheel at the bottom of the pod.
Once its in ya hands you can then access if it can be stretched back over, but only after you have soaked the leather in rejuvenator to make it flexible again.
If the leather is to far gone, then a trimmer will renew the leather in very short order. Its a simple job for them, and the good news is that its black leather so matching is a walk in the park.

Edited by ferrari spider on Friday 7th May 10:16

Thanks for that. Any chance of any pictures of these screws - because I cannot seem to locate them? Obliged much.

[FerrariV8]

If its not too bad you could stain within the rip with black connalising paste then bond down the lifting material, this takes your eye off the area, ideally though you need to undo the binnacle and try to rebond the material underneath (if out of site you can staple.

[DrYazz]

Thanks for those pictures. They clearly and nicely show the location of the retaining screws (they also show that your posi-driver is quite badly rusted ).

It is sunny in Vienna at the moment - will try to take it off this afternoon.

I presume there must be a whole load of leads which could pop out of somewhere? Need to be aware of this?

[Mario149]

DrYazz said:

Thanks for those pictures. They clearly and nicely show the location of the retaining screws (they also show that your posi-driver is quite badly rusted ).

It is sunny in Vienna at the moment - will try to take it off this afternoon.

I presume there must be a whole load of leads which could pop out of somewhere? Need to be aware of this?

When I had mine off to fit a new steering wheel, there were loads of wires etc coming from the dash to the instruments, however, if you're careful, there shouldn't be a problem, they seemed to all be plugged in quite firmly

[DrYazz]

Jolly good stuff; instrument binnacle is a doddle to remove.
But the leather is just not pliable. It needs something to make it maleable - WHAT DO YOU USE/ RECOMMEND?

[ferrari spider]

DrYazz said:

Thanks for those pictures. They clearly and nicely show the location of the retaining screws

Your welcome, i have deleted them now you have seen them Good luck.