dash board rattle

[stevmale]

Anybody got any pictures what holds the dash board in place, before i start removing bits.

[mrzigazaga]

I think there are different types of fixings dependant on model and year..Mine on the 280 look relatively easy but i have heard many stories of blood letting and blasphemy from fellow wedgers..beware..Ziga

[Danny Hoffman]

My 350i's dash is held in place by 10mm nuts which can just about be seen if you lay on your back with your head in the foot-well and feet stuck up in the air. I just had to loosen them as there are slots cut in fibre glass for it to slide out. Can't remember if there are 2 or 4, I'm sure someone will be able to confirm.

You must have a seriously loud rattle to be heard over the exhaust!!!

[RCK974X]

Early ones have two 'clamp' type bolts under the crash pad , which are a bugger to find, and even worse to undo. Get your wrists surgically altered first - double jointed is much easier.

Seriously, one side is above glove box, other not quite above steering column. Need to get hands in and have a feel. bolts are 6mm, so 10 mm spanner size.

dash then slides off, but don't forget to undo speedo cable first !!

I understand later styles have more fasteners ??

Edited by RCK974X on Sunday 11th November 19:58

[mrzigazaga]

I also recall someone saying DONT remove the nuts completely from under the dash as there are slots in the dash retainer fixings, Also replace the ones behind the dash..(Rear of vent) with butterfly nuts for ease of future access..This is a job i have been putting off but will have a look soon..Maybe...Ziga

PS:If you do attempt it can you document it with pics please..Ta

[stevmale]

A 2" movement on the window level is getting worse.
Thought about borrowing a mini camera from a hire company ? as I only just fit in my wedge when sitting.
Ill have ago at it saturday .
After my NEC visit

[RCK974X]

mrzigazaga said:

I also recall someone saying DONT remove the nuts completely from under the dash as there are slots in the dash retainer fixings, Also replace the ones behind the dash..(Rear of vent) with butterfly nuts for ease of future access..This is a job i have been putting off but will have a look soon..Maybe...Ziga

PS:If you do attempt it can you document it with pics please..Ta

YES_YES - good advice. I replaced each nut with bigger washer and a wingnut so I can undo and remove dash without a spanner. Definitely helps !!

[pasogrande]

My 1986 280i also has two brackets at the outsides - enough to stop a rattle, not much help in an accident. These are easy to remove with an 11 mm spanner.

Wilf.

[MJG280]

Yes washer and wingnut is part of the answer. The rest is to glue some sandpaper either side of the slot and in the centre. This grips the dash and hand tightening of the wingnuts is all that is required.

Don't forget to undo the steering column.

[stevmale]

Pushed the dash towards the screen found a couple of 10mm nuts that could be replaced with large star locking washers and re fixed it all.
seems ok .
drove for about a hour and really forgot what i was testing .
just the noise removes all troubles !

[stevmale]

Rattle as returned . Found the top brackets have worked loose again even with 40mm dia washers and then plates.


Has anybody come up with an alternative design.

[adam quantrill]

Yes - as Danny hinted - get a louder exhaust...