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Centre crashpad

jjbunn

Jedi Knight
Offline
I am replacing the crash pads around the dash. The central pad, which contains (on my car) four controls (hot air direction, blower switch, hot air temp and choke) is attached to the metal dash with two little screws that screw into tabs in the dash.

The central pad is new (Moss). The one I removed had an extra piece for securing it to the dash: a flange sticking out of the back with a static nut on it. The Moss one doesn't.

Just having two little screws securing something that has controls that need to be yanked out and pushed in doesn't seem enough. Comments?
 
I would agree, there's some appreciable force applied when pulling/pushing both the choke and temp control knobs.
I think I would fabricate/add a simple brace.
 
JJ... on the bottom of the old one there should be a "U" shaped bracket mounted that bolts to the top of the dash support, see Moss cat.page 68 #11 marked as n/a but TRF should have it
 
Casey and all others, TRF doesn't have the dash-support to dash-proper bracket.

P/N 616193

I need one of these!

If I had one I could probably make some at the shop for others...


Anybody? Bueller?
 
Opa said:
JJ... on the bottom of the old one there should be a "U" shaped bracket mounted that bolts to the top of the dash support, see Moss cat.page 68 #11 marked as n/a but TRF should have it

Hi Opa, Actually that piece isn't what I was referring to on my old one. Here's a photo of the rear of the crash pad:

2194422144_0b9f5d4df7.jpg


At the left is a piece with a captive nut that simply isn't there on the replacement pad I received from Moss.

I may end up re-using the old one, as it's in good condition. On the other hand it may stick out like a sore thumb right next to the other pads, which are brand new@
 
JJ, yes, you're right.

I rebuilt/replaced my dash and dash pads last year with parts I ordered from Moss.

About that part you show in the picture. I carefully removed it from its foam housing, without damaging it, and I then cleaned it up and placed it carefully behind my new Moss center piece adjusted the holes just a tiny bit to line up and to account for manufacture, and it worked great.

Remember, it doesn't need to be melted into the new backing for the center piece. If it is just put into place, it serves the exact same purpose once the controls are fitted through and the side bolt is tightened in. Don't forget to do all that before you put you glove box back in.

Of my dash project, getting the center piece fitted in there was one of the most satisfying--you will not need to machine it, so don't start down that path.

Good luck.
 
Julian: My comment is: Proceed to install as if
it will work with only two screws, because I think
it will. Seems as if I had the same kinds of
issue/concern, but went forward and was surprised
that it worked. That's just my memory.

Further, it seems my memory is/was that the flange with
the static nut you describe actually will bolt onto
the center bracket...the piece that goes down to the
floor; has the hole for a radio; a sort of an A-frame
looking finish piece that bolts to the floor left and
right of the tranny tunnel where the hand brake is.

Because I installed stuff temporarily because
I wanted to drive, seems to me I recognized that this
bolt that would attach to the static nut you describe
might just be fine either installed or not; therefore,
I say, test my memory. Put the two screws into your
brand new piece and let's hope it works, cause I think
it will.
Be kind if I'm wrong. Since Xmas, money is tight and
another visit to the psych is not in the budget.

Say, Doc, you out there. Well, it all started when
I was a child.....
 
Julian: Back again. Want to comment when I installed
mine, I ordered the screws with the dash pad piece
and I used them. Also, when I fit it up, I could see
that there was the metal there with the holes aligned
so it worked.

I don't know the state of affairs with your vehicle,
how much is there or how much is missing, but if the
metal backing is there and you have the correct screws
with holes aligning....once again, screw her on there.
I think all will be okay.
 
OK folks: great advice, many thanks. I'm going to go with the two screws in the new piece and see how that works out. If it doesn't, I'll use the old piece, or transfer the metal plate from its back onto the new piece.
 
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