Rattles & tight nuts !*?!?
Discussion
Having tightened up the bolts that hold on the dashboard (as these were loose), I cannot seem to locate the bolts/fixings that hold the walnut instrument panel to the dashboard.
The rattle from this is now quite annoying...
Anybody got any suggestions apart from buying a sports exhaust to drown out the noise.
Mike
Mica Blue 350i
The 'wooden' speedo instrument panel definately seems to be bolted in place and not just press fitted.
I have located two captive bolts at either end (and tightened them) but cannot locate the ones in the middle.
I have an oblong central cluster of warning lights with a clear plastic cover between the metal sheet and vaneer panel that seems to be causing the rattle.
I was thinking of prising the vaneer panel forward and filling the space between with a few squirts of a hot glue gun but am afraid that it will damage the panel. - any other ideas??
I have looked at an exploded diagram of a slightly older model and the bolts seem to be smack in the middle of the panel but on mine they ain't there.
Ps. I don't really want to have the dash off again after the problems that I had last time getting the thing back on!
Mike
Mica Blue 350i
Edited by mikeb on Monday 18th June 19:17
Had another go tonight, managed to locate one of the bolts. The captive bolt sticks out of the back of the left hand edge of the wooden panel and doubles as a securing fixing for the air vent.
Have managed to free all of the left hand side I can prise the panel so far but it won't budge on the right hand side, there must be another bolt holding it on somewhere.
The instruments, heater fan unit and steering wheel all get in the way of trying to locate the right hand bolt.
did you say you had bolts or press studs on the back of your panel???.
ps. My car is an G reg 1989 series 2 with oblong air vents, warning light cluster and round instruments and clock.
Mike
Mica Blue 350i
Mission Complete!!! - well I got the thing off eventually - took me two afternoons and one of those flexible ratchet sets (from QVC) and a lot of verbal abuse!.
The panel is held on by four 10mm captive bolts. One on the left hand side next to the air vent, one just above the oil pressure gauge, one just below (and in between) the speedo and tacho and one just above the petrol gauge - All extremely awkward to get to.
Have located the source of the rattle and cured it now all I need to do is get the panel back on again which I can see is not going to be a nice job. - The joys of TVR ownership...
Mike
Mica Blue 350i
Edited by mikeb on Thursday 21st June 22:05
Major bummer!.
I have not actually put the panel back on yet, I need to get on with it 'cos I want to go to Coombe on Sunday with the car in more or less back together condition.
As the nuts are in very awkward places I thought of replacing the M6 bolts with wing nuts, at least then when you can only get a slim finger hold at least I have a fair chance of tightening the nut up.
I will have a go on Saturday and see how I get on.
Wedgie, are you going to Coombe??
Mike
Mica Blue 350i
Put the panel back on. (yipee!) The job was made a lot easier by actually knowing where the bolts are when it comes to tighten then back up.
I have replaced the normal bolts with M6 wingnuts - these gave a lot more grip when fingertip tightening the bolts back up (no way you could get any tools in the tight space.
I have polished up the panel when it was off and it now looks (and sounds - no rattles) great.
Thanks for the advice
Mike
Mica Blue 350i
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