What do I need to do to fix my loose dash?

[Bender]

Well I paid some guy to put it on and it was not put on right, or the carpet and while I have all the carpet out I might as well fix the poorly put in dash. My dash is loose, none of the Beezles fit right and where the speakers are sink down really low. Do I need to take the whole thing off and order a screw set or is it more then a few missing screws causeing the problem?

 

[Bender]

Its a brand new dash by the way.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Bender,

By the dash, are you talking about the top pad or the whole thing? The upper dash pad has some clips on the back at the glass that the back slides into. There is one screw in the center and then the three screws on each lower pad holds it all together. The windshield trim helps to hold it in place as well.

Give us some more info and we'll help you through.

 

[Bender]

The whole thing.. The best way to do this is take everything off again? Damn what am I going to do about the cluster lights not working. I want to get some pictures up but I dont have a digital cam. Also the bottom screw on the driver side wont come out and its striping.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

If you are that unhappy, then that is all that is going to solve the problem. Bottom right, center console, windshield trim, dash pad, lower steering column and then the lower left.

The good news is the bottom left shouldn't have to come out as you should be able to work with it.

You will have access to all of the cluster lights with the lower left pad in place. It's tight but you can do it. Or is the problem something other than the bulbs. You should have some decent access to check it out if it is.

While you have it out, extend the Reflectix as high as you can get it.

 

[Robin7TFour]

Bender are you still in the Gainesville area?

 

[Bender]

Yeah Robin. Anyway Bobchad its more the the lights, I think. I am talking about the seat belt lights and what ever other lights that should light up. All I know is the only one that works is the E-Break. Also I always wanted to replace everything with a digital read out cluster but last time I checked that was like 2000 :/

 

[mike weyman]

make sure that you use some locktite on the threads or it may shimmey loose again. as far as the gauges not being installed properly,mine came out and in with no problem(sure, well relatively)in fact i had it in and out a few times when it wouldn't fit or i forgot parts.mike

 

[Bender]

All the nuts are rusted and I cant get them off, I tried a 9/32 nut driver and its just striping now. Also can anyone tell me a good book for just interior work on 81 vettes? I have haynes and it has everything but interior work.

 

[mike weyman]

if you take a piece of each nut,screw etc. to your local auto store they will have everything you need and for less than a kit.that way you get what you need right away,with less expense.mike

 

[mike weyman]

bender, soak the screws with penetrating oil and give them a few taps with a hammer, it may take a few days of doing this once in a while but it will work. try the visegrips or maybe put a small piece of shim stock in the socket to tighten it up.mike

 

[Bender]

Ok I think I got all the screws out but it still wont come out? Will it just fall off once all the screws are out?

 

[Bender]

Nooo I got it out and it droped on to the gauges circuit borad and snaped it off noooooo.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I'm not sure exactly what you are referring to but it doesn't sound good.

 

[Bender]

O good it was just a light bulb with a circuit board attached I put it back.

 

[1979L82]

1979

I am looking to replace my dash padding, I have already purchase the padding. Is there advice and or a procedure that you can share with me?

Thanks
Ted

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Ted,

What do you have here. A new upper dash or a shell to put on top of it.

Bob

 

[joe1975]

If some one is putting on one of those dash caps how about some pic's I'd like to do the same

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I ended up simply replacing my dash. I did not hear good things about the caps.