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TR6 TR6 Crash pad Installation

hondo402000

Darth Vader
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I purchased a new top crash pad and before I get it I was wondering if the front of the pad fits down over the metal dash and is glued to the metal dash? the old one is loose in the front, like behind the wood dash and is not glued down either, Any thoughts?
 
Hondo
my top crash pad was glued and is starting to lift at the outer ends due to moisture variations in the weather and the total breakdown of the glue. Gluing a new one in place would stop any unwanted movement.
Regards
Craig
 
Those things have a tendency to want to shrink and distort, especially after having been in the sun over time. It is best to use an adhesive to keep them down. The two ends are notorious for lifting.
 
I was reading the bently book and is says to remove the crash pad top to unbolt/screw like 6 bolts, it appears they are under the front of the pad going straight up through the metal dash and into the crash pad??? does the front of the pad have a metal strip that holds it down in front? I love the pics in the bently book, leaves you guessing most of the time
 
It has some type of receiver for the fasteners. It's been too many years to for me to remember the actual construction.
Gluing will also help to seal out the elements. Water getting in underneath wouldn't be a good thing since it has no place to go.
The first time I installed one, I used contact cement which worked quite well. I won't use it again because there is no work time. If you don't get it right the first time, you have to remove the pad and basically start over again.
You have to find a glue that has a fairly high temperature range. I used a transparent adhesive with similar qualities to Goop the second time. I won't suggest using Goop since I don't it's specs. I used this glue because of the temp. range, sealant qualities and flexibility.
I've heard a lot of good things about Gorilla Glue, but you would have to read the label before trying it.
Good luck!
 
Quote: I've heard a lot of good things about Gorilla Glue, but you would have to read the label before trying it.
Good luck! [/quote]

Please take no offense, but I think Gorilla glue is
way, way over-kill. If you were so inclined, try
little experiments with it by placing it and letting it
dry. Then imagine having to scrape and/or remove it for
a smooth surface if you don't get your dash cap on just so.

Gorilla glue drys pretty darned hard, in my experience.
Just my humble opinion and observation, but have really
never tried it for this application and I could be very
wrong. If you did place it, probably would be very
difficult to remove and replace the next time.

Sincerely,
 
Heh hondo... now that you have replaced the crash pad, did you find that it was held by the bar in the front? I am about to take out the windshield to be able to lift it out totally and wondered if that metal bar is glued to it>? I haven't received the crash pad yet so perhaps that will answer it for me..
What glue did you decide on>?
 
dndkk
the crash pad is basically held in the front by pinching it between the metal front dash and the top frame, there are 5 bolts that hold it down, then I glued mine down in the front toward the bonnet. I pulled the windscreen out of the frame and cracked the glass, I also purchased the plastic pieces that go on the inside of the windscreen frame, now I have to order glass today,

It took some time gettng the frame out of the car, rusted
 
No offense taken about Gorilla Glue. I am more concerned about how it will react to temperature ranges from -0 to 150 degrees or more.
The pad gets very hot in the afternoon sun. Granted, the padding insulates the glue from a lot of this heat, but it still gets hot.
I want it to stay in place for the duration, until it is time to remove it. To me, it would take a lot longer to reglue a loose pad than it would to take a solvent and get rid of the old stuff.
 
For mine I used a 3M spray adhesive for automotive trim. Used it rather lightly as I didn't think it was an area requiring great adhesvie powers. Anyway, that was 5 years ago and no apparent lifting or other problems.

It is contact cement but you can insert a sheet of something (was is plastic or cardboard?) between the scuttle and the pad until you are satisfied w/ the position then withdraw that layer and press.
 
well the crash pad is down and I used regular contact cement, I decided too that it didnt need a lot of glue but wanted to make sure the edges didnt lift on me, I finished up the windscreen frame tonight, sand blast, prime, and painted black, tomorrow glue in the plastic interior frame pieces and wait on the new glass. had to fix DPO wind screen frame brackets, why is it people only put back half the bolts they remove, or decide a lag bolt is a much better option than a machine screw, so braise new bolt on the brackets,,,,,, more tomorrow
 
This is what yours probably looks like by now. If not, this is where the pad should be before the frame goes back on. And mount the frame prior to mounting the glass. It's lighter, easier to handle and less chance of doing any damage to paint or glass.

Paint Shop 046 (Custom).jpg


Paint Shop 047 (Custom).jpg


Paint Shop 055 (Custom).jpg
 
Heh guys.. just got my frame off the car, what a ordeal.. Had to heat with flame the two ends of the rods to get it to separate from the body clamps...now we wait for the crash pad to arrive and hopefully all will go back together and we'll be driving next week...
I didn't plan on gluing down the crash pad... now you got me thinking....
Thanks for your advise folks..
 
What about silicone? Wouldn't that work and give you time to work it over contact cement..?
 
If you don't glue the pad down properly, the heat and humidity will cause it to lift and wrinkle within a month.

Not a good idea to skip adhesive process.
 
I used contact cement, I would not use anything but some type of adheasive for auto interiors, I would not use silicone, I did put a new oil pan gasket on and used butal calk, I will find out if that was a good idea
 
So I'm about to place the windshield back on the car and noted there is a black putty between the rubber gasket of the windshield and the car.. Any ideas what the best product would be to use here...>?
 
Hey guys,
I'm not trying to steer anyone one way or another but I replaced my dash pad over a year ago with no adhesive at all. It hasn't lifted, curled or moved. It is garage kept and only driven on weekends, but Maryland is fairly humid in the summer. Maybe I have a rereplacement in the future. For now it still looks like the day I put it in. Phil
 
Phil,

The problem, as in any vinyl dash component comes from a prolonged period in the direct sun.

Kind of what roadsters were made to be driven in.
 
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