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Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 04, 2018 11:01 PM
by tig
After 30+ years of folks removing and reinstalling the driver's kick panel on Vlad, the holes the screws that hold said kick panel in place are shot.
I want to put some epoxy or something in them holes to make them hold screws like new. Or newish. Or, at least good enough so the screws hold until the next damn time I have to take the panel off again.
Anyone done this successfully? What's the right epoxy/glue/potion to use? Technique?
Gracias in advance.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 05, 2018 4:53 PM
by ElGuappo
I've thought about cutting a flap in the vinyl and using epoxy or CA glue, affix 1/2 of a 'clip-nut' or whatever they are called in there, and glue the flap of vinyl back over it.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 05, 2018 5:23 PM
by tig
ElGuappo wrote:I've thought about cutting a flap in the vinyl and using epoxy or CA glue, affix 1/2 of a 'clip-nut' or whatever they are called in there, and glue the flap of vinyl back over it.
Good idea! I'll consider that.
Anyone else?
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 05, 2018 6:14 PM
by tn535i
If you fill it with epoxy then drill and run a screw in I think it is likely the epoxy might just tear out a bigger hole. Since this is a urethane I might be inclined to try filling the hole with a shot of something like great stuff minimal expansion foam. It might be more similar to the original material and you could try it first on a big hole you drill in a scrap of wood to see if it holds the screws.
Beware, that stuff can be very messy and difficult to clean if you get it in the wrong places and you should let it dry a good long time before you run a screw in. Theoretically if it works you could repair it many times over with the same procedure... fill it, put something on the floor in case it drips, wait for it to cure, trim off the excess if there is some poking out, ready again...
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 05, 2018 7:38 PM
by Mike W.
I think the screws usually (almost always) go into metal at some point. You might not be able to see it, but I think it's metal. Which make repairs all that much more difficult. You might be able to get behind it and slip a tinnerman nut in there, maybe gluing it in place to locate it, but I think you'd have to go in behind. I don't think anything you do in front is really going to work.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 05, 2018 8:04 PM
by demetk
It is metal. You may be able to slip a u-clip onto the metal part.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 06, 2018 8:24 AM
by tn535i
Sorry I must be confusing with somewhere else in the dash like the IC. I've repaired worn out holes with a center punch to either side of the screw hole to shrink it but I have no idea if you can get in there to back it up and do that successfully. Sounds like the clip is best advice or maybe epoxy the important half to the backside if the u cannot reach around the sheet metal.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 06, 2018 12:16 PM
by tig
demetk wrote:It is metal. You may be able to slip a u-clip onto the metal part.
anyone have a bad dash lying around they can deconstruct for me to definitively illustrate how this lower section is constructed? Where precisely the metal is? How thick? How deep?
Thanks.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 06, 2018 12:46 PM
by duggi
cek wrote:demetk wrote:It is metal. You may be able to slip a u-clip onto the metal part.
anyone have a bad dash lying around they can deconstruct for me to definitively illustrate how this lower section is constructed? Where precisely the metal is? How thick? How deep?
Thanks.
I actually do...I can take pics tonight after work. I put in a new Euro dash two years ago, which solved this issue for me. I still haven't taken my old one to the dumps, so have no problem looking at it and getting some good pics.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 06, 2018 10:20 PM
by knunger
I had good results a few years ago on an e30 that had this same issue. In desperation, I had some seam-seal leftover from a different project. The kind that you need a caulk gun to use. I put the nozzle to the hole, gave it a good squirt, wiped the quim off the front and let it cure for a week (OK, here come the infantiles...)
I then drilled a small pilot hole, let it set for another week and then silicon lubed it well and replaced the knee bolster.
I had to remove/replace the bolster a few times in the next couple years without issues.
If (when) I have to do this again I'll do it the same way
Hope this helps
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 07, 2018 9:38 AM
by BDKawey
Doesn't really help but on the beater drift car I just drilled a hole all the way through the dash and secure it with a zip tie
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 07, 2018 10:58 AM
by tig
BDKawey wrote:Doesn't really help but on the beater drift car I just drilled a hole all the way through the dash and secure it with a zip tie
You are right.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 07, 2018 11:04 AM
by BDKawey
happy to not help
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 07, 2018 12:02 PM
by tig
kojo96 wrote:My 02-
Thus far your $0.02 has been worth quite a bit more here, sir. Thanks.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 07, 2018 12:29 PM
by demetk
BMW screw plug,
I'm sure a round one exists also.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 07, 2018 5:13 PM
by tig
demetk wrote:BMW screw plug,
I'm sure a round one exists also.
Da fuq? I don't get it.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Mar 07, 2018 9:32 PM
by Das_Prachtstrasse
My advice having done this many times in the past on various models is to use a 2 part structural plastic polyurethane. Something like Wurth Replast or Fusor 153 or equivalent. These products cure to workable condition within 10mins and can be drilled, sanded, painted - whatever, and will bond to the dash vinyl/foam/steel like shit to a blanket. Fill the hole, wait 10 mins, drill a tiny pilot hole once it's cured and then thread the original dash screw back in. It will work as good as new, and you'll be able to remove and reinstall that screw as many times as you like.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Sep 18, 2023 11:17 PM
by Machtig
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Sep 22, 2023 9:01 AM
by Federico
The two screws I know of are:
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSe ... 131879479/ (smaller)
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSe ... 431874616/ (larger)
Also note I couldn't find a shorter screw for this application.
Now, my dash had been messed with so I bought a bunch of fasteners, speed nuts, etc. to try to fix it.
Someone with a mint dash may have a definite answer
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Sep 22, 2023 10:29 AM
by Machtig
Both of those are too large for the lower dash panel. After a lot of digging, I’m 95% confident the correct part number for the lower dash panel screws is 51451854011, which per realoem has ended, but does appear to have availability from several online sources. For the light switch panel, I’ve been unable to find the correct part number. However a common #4x1/2” sheet metal screw available at any hardware store would make a good replacement. Since one of mine was stripped out I used a #6x1/2” black oxide sheet metal screw and it worked perfectly and looks OEM. I’ll post a photo of them later today.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Sep 22, 2023 4:38 PM
by Machtig
These #6x1/2" screws work well for stripped out switch panel screws. Slightly larger than the original 2.9mmx12mm screws and easy to find.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Jul 28, 2024 9:58 AM
by Fanclutchnut
Thread revival. Does anyone know a source for the self tapping cone washer screws that hold in the kick panel to the dash? I’ve founnd hardware screws that are the right size but without the larger cone washer, they twist and pull through the surface of the leather. I think they are the same score and washer that is at the top of the b pillars.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Jul 28, 2024 2:55 PM
by stuartinmn
If you just need the washer, check your local Ace Hardware. They have them in various sizes, they call them finish washers.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Jul 29, 2024 5:47 PM
by Fanclutchnut
Thx for the reply. Finish washers aren’t exactly it. They are cone shaped washers that countersink into the surface of the kick panel.
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Jul 30, 2024 12:12 PM
by vinceg101
I'm not sure what you mean by "cone-shaped" but McMaster-Carr has pretty much every kind of fastener made, likely including these washers.
These are countersink washers that I think achieve what you're thinking of (maybe just flip them around?):
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/stand ... untersunk/
Re: Dash screw hole repair
Posted: Jul 30, 2024 3:35 PM
by Mike W.
There are both flush and countersunk finishing washers.