[memphoman]

<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> My dash is separating from the plastic that conatains vents, gauges, etc. (sorry about the image quality). The only thing I've come up with is to use a strong adhesive and clamp. I'm sure someone has tackled this problem before. What's the trick? Thanks.

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[Larry Currie]

This has been discussed before on the other 968 site, but no one had a answer. I hope someone coming up with a fix. I've got the same problem.

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[Anchorman]

My answer, which may not be especially helpful, is that I'm replacing the dash with a perfect one I purchased several weeks ago. Sometime later in July I expect to tackle this challenge.

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[968 Cab]

For the vinyl DASH TOP, call a local mobile auto vinyl repair - they'll have the right stuff.



If it's the elliptical hard plastic surround (the center vents) that trims the instrument panel, I used good 'ol model airplane liquid plastic cement - the same Testors brand we all used as a kid. Don't use "superglue" as it will leave a white mist/cloud around the plastic as it sets.



If the vents are broken, etc. just check eBay - I bought a perfect spare for $10 last year along with end panel vents just in case they do break. The vanes on the vents get a little "tired" and I've yet to find the viagra cure for that symptom!

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[memphoman]

Well, it's hard to see with the pic, but it's where the dash meets the oval. I have not taken apart, so I do not know how this is connected. Could this be a clamp that has come loose? Is this glued, and has to be re-glued. I do not know. If anyone could shed some light on how these 2 things are attached (or point me to a thread), that would be helpful, before I turn this into a bad experiment.

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[968 Cab]

Michael - from what you describe, it sounds like a misaligned dash Oval. The HARD PLASTIC instrument Oval is held in place by 3 scews above the tach/speedo gauges - 2 small screws on the bottom on either side of the steering column, and then 3 screws accessible on either end of the centre vent.



There are no "clips" holding the top of the oval to the dash - its a fairly snug fit with a rubber gasket around the HP Oval to close any gaps.



If I were in your shoes, I'd just remove the oval and take a look - it's easy to do - and you don't need to remove the steering wheel like many people say - just a little squeezing and rotating and the HP Oval will come out after removing all the aforenoted screws. The HP Oval may just be misaligned. There are plenty of these on eBay for $10-20 if you do have a problem with it. if it is the soft DASHTOP that is warping - look for the cause - excessive heat, etc.



I certainly would not glue the HP Oval to the dashtop - you must be able to remove that oval to get to the panel lighting etc. If the dashtop is warping, call the mobile repair service to see if they can straighten it out.



BTW, there is a little trick to remember to make sure the Trip odometer works when putting it all back together - just make sure the "press to reset" button is lined up with the little switch that is clipped to the dashboard.

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[memphoman]

I was looking at this a little close on a trip from a meeting in 98 degree heat with a black top (damn!), and I'm thinking the plastic oval is what's warped. If so, the cure may be easy and cost efficient (finger's crossed).

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[Larry Currie]

I found a classic gray dash in Ok. after a three year search. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[memphoman]

I have an intersting combination of interior colors. Transitions from dark blue to black trim to pearl carpet and seats. And for some bizare reason, the PO sprayed the rear speaker panel black from their dark blue color. And, it's hard finding floormats in pearl for 968s. I see them for 911s.

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[SANDOVAL]

[quote name='Larry Currie' date='Jun 23 2005, 01:36 PM']This has been discussed before on the other 968 site, but no one had a answer.  I hope someone coming up with a fix.  I've got the same problem.

[right][post="6267"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]





Larry and everyone else... I don't mind nor care if you mention Rennlist or 968.net or any other forum when posting here. I think it is silly to be vague about where information has been discussed before. If you have info to share please point the person in the right direction. I did not build this forum to be petty or competitive. Unlike other forums I welcome you to share info through the various other resources. We are here to share our knowledge and passion for the cars. You can post URLS to other forums I really don't mind.

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[Anchorman]

A search turned up this thread, and reminded my that I was supposed to replace my dash a year ago. Oh well, better late than never. It just got "easier" because, for the next three months, we have an extra car so I can take my time doing the dash replacement and don't have to squeeze it in to one weekend. I've started accumulating parts - a new A/C condensate drain line, heater control knobs, exterior temperature readout bulb (mine recently burned out). I think I'll replace the instrument bulbs even though they're all working (wouldn't it be a b---h to finish the job and then have one burn out?). What else should I have before I start this?



And - once it's done and I'll want to avoid future cracking, I guess the right approach is a windshield sunshield - and frequent leather conditioner?

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[Larry Currie]

I've got a dash in storage that I've had for a year or so. I want to replace my old one, but I haven't had the time. Maybe if you go first I can learn from you.

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[RPM]

Is the plastic material in the 968 dash any different from the previous 944 series?



It seems to be a bit more pliable and in my car at 80k there is only slight warping around the defrost vents and no sign of cracking. I have used Vinylex and a sunshade - but that is just the last 25k. No idea the first two owners and 55k. At 85k in my S2 the dash was shot, with huge cracks in several places and smaller cracks breaking out like a 15 year old with a chocolate fetish.

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[astrojeff]

[quote name='Anchorman' date='May 18 2006, 10:11 AM']And - once it's done and I'll want to avoid future cracking, I guess the right approach is a windshield sunshield - and frequent leather conditioner?

[right][post="21228"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



I have no cracking whatsoever in my dash which is made of vinyl. I have always used a sunshade (all year in Florida). Good luck.



Jeff

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[Anchorman]

My current dash has cracking in the - vinyl - at the defroster outlets. There also some up-and-down distortions in the same areas. Larry, it looks like I'll be starting this job in a week or so, sometime after the Newtown 968 event this weekend. There is a set of instructions - if you haven't seen it, I'll email it to you. And, if I can, I'll be shooting a bunch of digital photos during the process.

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[lee]

[quote name='Anchorman' date='May 18 2006, 04:37 PM']My current dash has cracking in the - vinyl - at the defroster outlets.  There also some up-and-down distortions in the same areas.  Larry, it looks like I'll be starting this job in a week or so, sometime after the Newtown 968 event this weekend.  There is a set of instructions - if you haven't seen it, I'll email it to you.  And, if I can, I'll be shooting a bunch of digital photos during the process.

[right][post="21255"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]





Has anyone tried the redash from Porsche Palace International to take care of the cracking?



Lee

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[Anchorman]

I, for one, had never heard of Porsche Palace International and wasn't aware of ReDash. Looks like a potentially interesting approach. For me, though, given that I already have a replacement dash, I'm going to continue with the swap.

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[Bob Kovacs]

I also have some cracks radiating from the vent holes on my dash. It's a 1993 car with light gray interior and around 104k miles on the clock. I bought the car in 1999 with 77k miles and have kept it under cover (except when driving and parking at work or on drives). I use a windshield shade on sunny days if the car will be in the sun and always seek out shady spots to park the car.



It's really maddening that Porsche has such crappy suppliers for dashboards... you could have drained a river in the cracks of my old 924's dash. I've had VWs and Audis that I treated exactly the same and they never had any cracks. If you think that an unreplaced pinion bearing will depreciate the value of your car, wait 'til you see what dash cracks do. Frustrating.



--Bob

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[968Z]

Memphoman,



Take a close look at the "Black" parts. Many of the Dark Blue interior vinyl parts (pillars, speaker covers, etc....) have a nasty tendancy to turn Black on their own. My Silver cab interior is in the deviated Blue/Light Grey (linen?) and certain parts just look Black, but upon closer inspection have just turned Black. The can be reconditioned back to a color close to the original Blue.

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[Anchorman]

In my black/cashmere interior, some of the black plastic parts on the dashboard (side vents, horizontal panels) are looking very dark brown. I'm assuming that this is also an undesired color transformation. Foolishly, I didn't take the opportunity of looking at the many cars gathered at Newtown to see the situation of their dash pieces. Since I'm about to dismantle my dash, this would be the ideal time to recondition back to black. What's the right method to accomplish that?

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