Hello

Tis me again

I've been back to Source Sounds regarding my stereo. Whilst i was there they discovered that my dash has quite alot of play in it. They reckon it's been took out in the past and not been put back properly or something has broke. They showed me the movement in the dash and i could clearly see it. They said i could ask around about this and then i mentioned i'm a proud member of the Fiat Forum Is it normal for the dash to have a bit of play in it or not? They found that silicone has been used at the back of the dash, i think between dash and windscreen or bulkhead.

Thanks

Phil

Where is the play in the dashboard? It's not normal for it to work loose, I've had my entire dashboard out twice and I've not got any play in the dash or other dash pieces that screw in around it. There are clips at the leading edge of the dash where it meets the windscreen, engage the clips first then drop the dash down over the metal frame. If its been done before then the individual might have broke something

MarkThompson4 said:

Where is the play in the dashboard? It's not normal for it to work loose, I've had my entire dashboard out twice and I've not got any play in the dash or other dash pieces that screw in around it. There are clips at the leading edge of the dash where it meets the windscreen, engage the clips first then drop the dash down over the metal frame. If its been done before then the individual might have broke something

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More so on the passenger side. The dash can be pushed up and down slightly and a bit on the drivers side aswell. Can I check if the clips are ok without having to dismantle much?


Phil

The dashboard is held in by multiple bolts on the front and the clips at the back. You'll have to remove the bolts first but to get to all of the the glovebox and centre trim and drivers fusebox cover need to come off which is a pain. Once that's out the way you could just check the dash bolts for tightness, leaving the interior intact you could try opening the upper glovebox and pulling out the plastic cover inside, that hides a few of the bolts. To get a proper evaluation though you'll need to be able to check all the dashboard bolts with the interior out the way.

So it shouldn't even creak when it's pushed towards the windscreen or pushed from above and underneath?


Phil

That will be the sound of the plastic flexing most likely, I don't recall my dash making any creaking at least since I've removed and refitted it making sure all the screws and bolts are tight but from your previous post it sounded as though your dash was physically able to lift up? Then again I don't know how pernickety you are

Well the dash has more or less stopped creaking. I wonder if it has 'settled' after Source had a good play with it, they weren't gentle with the dash. However when its very cold the dash did and sometimes does creak a couple of times when the car is stationery. I'm guessing it could be temperature related. Mark, the dash doesn't physically lift up and down it just creaked quite a bit and the slighest of movement. However like i said the guys at Source were a bit heavy handed so i'm not surprised.

I'm definetly not paying them £30p/h to remove and check the dash plus any other parts that may be needed!

Phil

MarkThompson4 said:

That will be the sound of the plastic flexing most likely, I don't recall my dash making any creaking at least since I've removed and refitted it making sure all the screws and bolts are tight but from your previous post it sounded as though your dash was physically able to lift up? Then again I don't know how pernickety you are

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sort of off topic, but Mark how do you get the dash out, have you got a guide? i am thinking about flocking my dash.

thanks

robin

rat20v said:

sort of off topic, but Mark how do you get the dash out, have you got a guide? i am thinking about flocking my dash.

thanks

robin

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Sorry mate never did a guide for that, I never really saw the point tbh as it would only be a guide for removing a few bolts. There's a few guides that show how to remove the centre console, glovebox and fusebox trim which needs to come off to remove the dash. The radio and AC controls will need to come out too, once it's all out the way there will be just a few bolts holding the dashboard to the dash frame underneath. There is one of the passenger airbag mounting bolts that has to be removed as it also goes into the dash frame via the dashboard so if you forget to remove it the dash will refuse to budge. Flocking is a good idea as opposed to trimming due to the passenger airbag and the way in which it bursts through the dash

I've uploaded a video of my dash creaking when I apply pressure to it. I have replicated the creaking when pushing on the plastic bit above the top glove box. Is this normal or should there be no noise at all even when pressing it? I have noticed when going over some pot holes or bumps something is making a noise but not a creak noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTv0YyTV9I4&feature=youtu.be


The video is on its side but you can hear it.


Thanks


Phil