Lower dash repair
Lower dash repair
Author
Discussion

murphster

Original Poster:

143 posts

288 months

Saturday 30th June 2012
quotequote all
I replaced my dash last year with a Leven one but a previous owner has lost patience with my lower dash and ripped out the fiberglass mounts:




I have been driving around with a cable tie holding it in place but want a more permanent fix has anyone repaired this before? The only thing I can think of is some ‘L’ sections of metal with holes drilled but could get very fiddly. Is there a better solution?

estutjaweh

328 posts

185 months

Saturday 30th June 2012
quotequote all
The broken bits don't really need to be that strong. The radio panel fits so tightly into the dash that the screws aren't really necessary at all (I still haven't re-fitted my screws from the last time it was out!.

I simply repaired it using a 2-part UHU adhesive with fine fiberglass dust/strips mixed in. I cut a small piece of cardboard, folded it into a 'U' shape to hold the rough form. filled it with the mixture and then taped the ends together to stop it opening up whilst it dried. Then simply sand, drill and fit new screws.

Worked very well.

murphster

Original Poster:

143 posts

288 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
estutjaweh said:
The broken bits don't really need to be that strong. The radio panel fits so tightly into the dash that the screws aren't really necessary at all (I still haven't re-fitted my screws from the last time it was out!.

I simply repaired it using a 2-part UHU adhesive with fine fiberglass dust/strips mixed in. I cut a small piece of cardboard, folded it into a 'U' shape to hold the rough form. filled it with the mixture and then taped the ends together to stop it opening up whilst it dried. Then simply sand, drill and fit new screws.

Worked very well.
Interesting - So essentially you rebuilt the fiberglass mounts and then used wood screws directly into the fiberglass?

Could be less fiddy than having to line up bolts etc. yes

Bassfiend

5,530 posts

280 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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I araldited a couple of Screwfix-sourced 75mm long mending strips in place behind where the broken fibreglass bits are and then used four black cable ties through the screw holes in the brackets on the back of the fascia and round those mending plates... Works a charm.

Phil

murphster

Original Poster:

143 posts

288 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
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Sounds even easier thanks. I'll go to screwfix at the weekend. Cheers

Bassfiend

5,530 posts

280 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
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These...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mending-plates-zinc-plat...

I lashed up a couple of splints using some long matches to hold them in line with the old fibreglass bits that had broken and then Araldited them into place ... next morning they're probably the most solid thing on the car. biggrin

Phil

murphster

Original Poster:

143 posts

288 months

Tuesday 14th August 2012
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Just to complete this thread - The mending strips and araldite worked really well. Thanks Bassfiend thumbup






Nosh

982 posts

197 months

Tuesday 14th August 2012
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Bassfiend said:
These...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mending-plates-zinc-plat...

I lashed up a couple of splints using some long matches to hold them in line with the old fibreglass bits that had broken and then Araldited them into place ... next morning they're probably the most solid thing on the car. biggrin

Phil
I tell you what, Phil - this is a TOP tip, mate.

Shame I went through one entire weekend trying to replicate what TVR did with screws, brackets etc etc... wink



Bassfiend

5,530 posts

280 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
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murphster said:
Just to complete this thread - The mending strips and araldite worked really well. Thanks Bassfiend thumbup
Thanks for the feedback - glad it worked for you. You made a lovely tidy job of that!

Phil

Bassfiend

5,530 posts

280 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
Nosh said:
I tell you what, Phil - this is a TOP tip, mate.

Shame I went through one entire weekend trying to replicate what TVR did with screws, brackets etc etc... wink
Thanks fella! Two nice comments that I kinda needed to see today... smile

Phil