Dash cracking

[rrgrassi]

My 82 300D has two small cracks in the dash. On each side by the speakers. I noticed the on on the passenger side beginning to get bigger.

My questions are:

Is there something I can do to make the cracks stop getting bigger, and is there some sort of filler I can add to patch them?

Should I drill a tiny hole ahead of the crack like you do in sheet metal?

Thanks!

[chasinthesun]

They sell a dash cover ,the dash will get worse ,im betting if someone come out with a dash that was crack proof the auto industry would beat their door down .Armoral it every chance you get ,this will keep at least some resistance to it getting more brittal.Ive seen every MB DASH LIKE THIS .

You never want to use Armoral on your dash, it will degrade the plastic and make it worse.

[rrgrassi]

I do not use Armor All, as I did see that happen in the 80's, and the reflection caused by it in the windshield is very distracting.

I dod have for UV protectant stuff that I have been using on my'89 Nissan P/U. Still no cracks.

Any ideas on stress relief on the cracks so they do not get bigger?

[bgkast]

I have read here that you can drill the ends of the cracks with a small drill bit, then fill the cracks with black silicone (if you have a black dash).

There is no hope for my blue dash (see picture) so I just ordered a $30 fuzzy dash mat. If it looks too junky then I will try a plastic dash cap or possibly look for a new dash.

[rrgrassi]

Thanks BGKAST!

I was hoping I could drill it. I do have a pin vice drill since I also do model railroading (my winter time hobby).

[vstech]

I have two vehicles with the caps on them. at first glance you don't notice the cap at all. however, it really covers several things. if your temp sensor is in the dash, it will not work, and the seam above the vents will grate on you.

I'd just clean well, and treat your original dash with aerospace 303 treatment. keep it out of the sun when you can, and use a windshield screen when you can't keep the entire car temp down, not just the dash!

[okyoureabeast]

303 and a sunshade will be the best things you can do for your vehicle.


My car spent all of its life in the north east so a cracked dash is the least of my worries, but I always throw up my sun shade when my car is parked outside or in direct sunlight.

[Carpenterman]

I was so proud of my un-cracked blue dash in the '81. Then one day I got in the car to go somewhere. It was about 5 degrees out. As I sat there waiting for the glow plugs to cycle, I heard a snap and the dash cracked all the way from the front at the defroster vent to the temp sensor hole.

It hasn't got any worse since, as I suspect that the crack relieved most of the tension. I keep 303 on it and am hoping for the best. I have a good black dash, but really don't want to install it due to the color mismatch.

Guess I'll just live with it until or if it gets worse.

[pwjeep]

I recently bought a 240D with a 4 spd. The blue dash looked really great... until I discovered that it was a dash cap. The P.O. installed it with dabs of silicone to hold it down. That didn't work and all it did was rattle, buzz and clack. When I lifted it up I discovered a very cracked dash pad.

Since it was loose and really annoying me, I removed the dash cap and installed a dash mat. Yeah the dash mat looks fuzzy and maybe funky, but it doesn't make any noise. The dash mat has pieces of velcro that attach to the dash. I made sure that I put velcro on the gauge hood, the vent humps and the windshield side of the defroster vents. Next I tucked the mat into the small space between the windshield and defroster vents. Then I finished up by securing the mat to the rest of the velcro on the dash.

If you were to use the plastic cap, I'd suggest you clean the dash with a solvent (to remove oils and dust / dirt) and secure the dash cap with velcro (adhesive self stick double pieces) This would allow the cap to be removed and reinstalled without much of a problem. It would also hold down the cap so it doesn't rattle, buzz, or annoy you.

In either case mat or cap, you improve the looks.

You can buy the dash mat with or without the sensor hole. Early W123's with manual HVAC systems don't use the sensor. If you get the mat or cap without the hole... remember the old advice... measure twice, cut once!

[charmalu]

I have a 80 240D with a crack free dash. I have had it for the past yr, and had a dash matt on when we got it. I assume it was on there for the past 30 yrs. There is not a hint of a crack.

I know we have several camps here on this issue. some would rather look at a cracked dash than use a Matt. some like the dash cap.

I saw the one RCOUNTS has on his CD, and didn`t know it had one. looking on closer inspection, it is noticable. If not looking for it, you wouldn`t know it was on there.

I think there are different company`s that make these, and the quality might vary.

I have a Matt on our 85 300D for the past 14 yrs, and really don`t notice it much. better than looking at the road map cracked dash.

I have had a Matt on my 82 Datsun PU for the past 29 yrs, and it is also crack free.

Charlie

[The Gears]

Two things I have done to stop dash crack from running.

1/ Stop driving over railway tracks at 70 mph. Just creep. The excited guy behind you can beet his car all to hell if he wants.

2/ Using a tooth pic I drizzled crazy glue into the crack, three times to sort of fill it. No movement in one year that I can see.

[Revolverman]

Thanks everyone for the input.

I think since mine is not cracked yet I may just follow everyones advice and keep it as cool as possible and use a sun visor.

I just got a really nice $400 dollar cover that is white and water proof so it should stay pretty cool under that and my carport this summer.

Added note: if I heard my dash crack like that there would be a brown stain on my palomino seats............

Revolverman.