fix for pod trim?

[Nonny]

Hi,
My 2001 Tuscan's dash trim doesnt seem to fit correctly. The 2 screws either side are in and tight but the cowl doesn't sit against the back of the pod. ( half inch gap )

Is this a common issue? and does anyone have a fix for this?

Any help much appreciated.

[Basil Brush]

Yes it is. It needs glue.

[Nonny]

so if you need to repair the pod how do you take it off?

[nawarne]

I tried velcro, glue etc...but in any highish cabin temperatures the glue softened and the top cowl started pulling away.(You need a 'softish' glue to allow future removal of cowl)

In the end, I made a clip from 25mm x 2mm ally flat bar. One end is drilled and is secured underneath the long bolt that 'suspends' the "change-up light" cluster to the cowl.
The other end of the ally flat bar has a 10mm lip to hook over the top of the alloy instrument 'frame' My clip was polished up with 600, the 1200 grit wet and dry then metal polished.....It does the job and looks reasonable.

Nick

[Nonny]

Thanks Nick, im going take the cowl off and see what i can come up with.

[Basil Brush]

Either silicone or pu type glue works.

My pod is carbon so I used black pu to hold it.

[Nonny]

Thanks Basil, if i can't modify it, ile try the glue.

[desperately sad]

I used cable ties internally to pull the first part of the cowl towards the pod. They cannot be seen externally and can easily be cut off (and replaced) if you need to take it all apart...Once you have got one half of the cowl located nicely, the other half fits much more neatly against the pod when the 2 screws are fixed at the front
Fairly rubbish design. defintely needs to be permanently modified...

[Nonny]

well after a little thought i ended up making some brackets which hold a captive nut, they bolt on either side of the pod ( under the cowl ). Each bracket is held in place by 2 existing screws.Then drilled a hole through the cowl each side and screwed the cowl to the new brackets.
The cowl is now in the correct position, rock solid and cant move so very pleased.
Can post pics if anyone is interested.

[desperately sad]

Well done !
Yes could you post some pictures please as I would like to make a permanent mod.
Thanks.

[Nonny]

Ok DS, Hopefully pics wiil appear!

[Nonny]

bracket fitted.

[Nonny]

cowl in place.

[Nonny]

I hope that all makes sense?

To fix the cowl to bracket I used mirror screws as they come with a cap. i painted the cap the same colour as cowl. ( couldnt think of another way to hide the screw heads)

let me know if you need any more info

[s6boy]

When can I drop mine round for you to do

Looks like a great fix and like it should have come out of the factory, mine just looks gash!

[nawarne]

Nonny said:

I hope that all makes sense?

To fix the cowl to bracket I used mirror screws as they come with a cap. i painted the cap the same colour as cowl. ( couldnt think of another way to hide the screw heads)

let me know if you need any more info

That's a very neat solution!
Wish I had thought of that!
Nick

[desperately sad]

nice fix. Very neat. Well done.

[Nonny]

Thanks for the positive comments

Id happily make a bunch up if enough people wanted them, alternatively it isn't to difficult for people to make and fit themselves.

[imuir]

I would be interested in this and happy to pay costs and postage etc. Looks like a great fix

[Nonny]

Hi,
i made the brackets from material i had lying around, ile have to get some metal locally and get back to you.