Crack in Dash

CheyneX5 · Postby **CheyneX5** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:49 pm

Over the past few months there has been a crack in my dash board in my na6, it is on the passengers side and is slowly getting bigger.

I have been told by a few people that there is a small nut or something under the dash hold some frame work together that causes this crack over a long time, i also have a mania CAI which when at full throttle in low revs can vibrate the interior quite aggressivly.

It is quite small but has branched off into 3 different directions.

Is there anyway to repair this? i was thinking it could be filled but maybe that would make it look tacky or would it be worth getting a new dash if it came down to that?

i put some aerospace 303 on today and seems to hide the crack a little...

thanks guys/gals.

cheyne

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:10 am

I replaced my dash

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:36 am

cheyne, its a very common problem with all cars..

i'd say replace the dash, like what STM did. you just never know if other cracks might manifest itself later on.

OR. you can get a dash mat. fugly, but covers up the crack and prevents further cracks.

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:25 am

As you have already mentioned there is a plastic bracket under the dash at that point. If you remove the glove box you will be able to see it. The bracket is screwed into the underside of the dash. I removed the screw and think I broke off part of the bracket so it was no long applying pressure to the dash. Mind you, while I had a bump in the dash, it had not gotten to the point where the dash split/cracked.

As for repairing it. Try an Auto trimmer. There are people/compaines that can repair dashes.

J

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:30 am

There are a number of co's who repair dashes. Try the web site for Australian Classic Cars as they have a advertisers data base or if you go to Stud Park library Rowville they stock that magazine and you can borrow as well. The other source of course is phone books. What I cannot tell you is what it cost. You might even consider a dash mat which do save the dash from a lot of UV damage.

CheyneX5 · Postby **CheyneX5** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:57 am

Dash matts are good and i do agree that they can protect from further damage.... but imo they look awful.

I know where i can get a dash but just wondering what the are selling for? Do you mind me asking what you payed for your STM? did you fit it your self or did you pay for labour?

cheers,

cheyne

RaYmO · Postby **RaYmO** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:38 pm

Get a cool sticker and band aid it

crzymx · Postby **crzymx** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:53 pm

You could always make other symmetrical cracks so it looks cool!

Chi3f · Postby **Chi3f** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:40 pm

Reviving an ancient thread here…

I've got a slowly growing crack matching that description in the first post, I've at a look at that screw and bracket. But I can't figure out how to get it out of such a tight space and weird angle, can barely even fit my hand in there. Also, way too tight to get a screw driver in and turn it, thought about trying to cut it out with a dremel, but seemed a bit dicey. Have many people successfully removed this screw? How did you do it/what did you use? Thanks in advance.

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:42 am

I assume you removed the glove box to allow you access to the scews/brackets under the dash? If not, then do so.

I find that if lay up side down in the passenger floor area with my lower back on the front edge of the seat and my head facing up under the dash that I can see and work on the screw/bracket in question....it is awkard, but works for me.

I just used a standard philips head screw driver to remove the screw directly under the crack. I then snapped the plastic bracket using hand force only. Don't snap the bracket with the screw still attached as you may cause further damage to the dash.

Good Luck.

J.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:13 pm

If you remove the passenger seat you can lay in there with you feet up on the parcel shelf.

Chi3f · Postby **Chi3f** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 1:55 pm

Thanks for the quick replies.

I'll have another crack at this sometime on the weekend. From what I gather, glove box door off....I'm going head first into the passenger footwell. Lower back on the seat (my socket set is at my mums house) and working from underneath the dash looking towards the roof of the car. I'll let you guys know the results.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:34 pm

Chi3f wrote:Thanks for the quick replies.

I'll have another crack at this sometime on the weekend. From what I gather, glove box door off....I'm going head first into the passenger footwell. Lower back on the floor after removing seat (my socket set is at my mums house) and working from underneath the dash looking towards the roof of the car. I'll let you guys know the results.

Fixed.
If you put your back on the seat and intend to perch there you'll only make the job take longer, and near cripple yourself.

Option1:
Save 10mins by not removing seat.
Spend an extra 20mins contorting to fit properly.
Finish the job with agonising back pain.

Option2:
Spend 10mins removing seat.
Lie flat on floor.
Finish job faster with only minor back pain.

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 3:00 pm

If you do take the option of removing the seat first then make sure you scrape your knuckles or drop the screw driver on your head while under the dash. If you don't cause pain, or draw blood you ain't doing it properly.

J.