00 V70R Dashboard cracks - what a piece of junk!

Post by **scot850** » 15 May 2023, 23:57

I don't think I evere mention how much I hate this car as it continues to break in ever more and unusual ways. If I repair another car, you can guarantee it will get a similar issue but worse shortly after!

I knew the dashboard had issues, likely the famous 4 mounts at the firewall. Last year when trying to fix the DIM?/Speedo random warning lights, on removing the glove box liner and the top dash pad I found the corner of the glove box liner surround was broken on the top RH corner. Not only broken, but plastic was actually missing.

Decided to let it run for the summer and strip it and repair for this years summer use. I pulled a spare lower dash from the junkyard knowing there was a chance it may also be damaged but be better than the original. I discovered that one had a crack in the front top edge near the entry system and security red flashing light when I got home and a small crack under the black felt on one mount.

I was reluctant not to repair the original and use the spare for any plastic parts I may need.

However, having pulled the lower dash and today I finally had time to look at the lower dash more carefully. What I found astounded me and once again had me cursing the R...!

What I found was one broken mount, and one cracked mount (to be expected), but also a whole hose of other damage. The whole RH side panel is broken away from the main part of the dash, which is possibly the reason the corner of the glove box broke.

: RH dash side broken (1); PXL_20230515_222803556.jpg (307.78 KiB) Viewed 415 times

Picture above the the upper RH corner of the glove box slot looked at upside down. The metal piece is a bracket I fitted to hold the corner together until I had time to fix the dash

: RH dash side broken (2); PXL_20230515_222819906.jpg (265.42 KiB) Viewed 415 times

This is the RH side mount for the metal reinforcing plate broken off both at the top front and rear mount.

: RH dash side broken (3); PXL_20230515_222916896.jpg (262.75 KiB) Viewed 415 times

This is the top RH corner of the dash fully broken apart!!

But also one of the main mountings for the center dash column for the radio and ECC was cracked.

: Center dash section mount broken; PXL_20230515_222719710.jpg (447.56 KiB) Viewed 415 times

One the LH side of the dash the lower ring below the steering column is broken is several parts including the mounting slots for the under dash panel.

: steering column lower hoop (1); PXL_20230515_225609591.jpg (310.35 KiB) Viewed 415 times

: steering column lower hoop (2); PXL_20230515_225616794.jpg (284.95 KiB) Viewed 415 times

: steering column lower hoop (3); PXL_20230515_225627010.jpg (322.06 KiB) Viewed 415 times

On the top of the LH side the hoop in front of the speedo cluster was also cracked through and broken the RH clip and mount for the speedo unit.

: Speedo unit hoop; PXL_20230515_222842279.jpg (412.57 KiB) Viewed 415 times

I fought the center dash section to remove it to swap it over tot the back up dash unit, but to be honest it looks like crap and always has done. It is covered with a thin piece of machine turned/carbon effect metal which is easily dented, especially when removing the radio head unit as is catches on the radio lower edge. It was dented when I bought the car 10 years ago, and now looks even worse. To be honest I never like the finish so I am thinking of not fitting it and leaving the standard black/gray center section which is in good condition.

: R dash center column for radio and ECC; PXL_20230516_005452956.jpg (417.83 KiB) Viewed 415 times

: Dents in center dash covering; PXL_20230516_005511011.MP.jpg (312.64 KiB) Viewed 415 times

I like to keep my cars as close to standard when possible but this is one part I can seriously do without. I will keep the original and leave the standard part fitted to the replacement dash.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 16 May 2023, 03:25

I think I have that spare metal grill type in good condition. On the “look for “list

Post by **amblerman** » 16 May 2023, 13:08

Assuming your dash is made out of the same ABS plastic as my 99 s70, I have had good luck using fiberglass sheets and ABS plumbing cement to repair cracks. I have only used ABS plumbing cement and haven't tried any of the ABS/PVC combo cements.

If I had another repair to do I might also try Fibrafuse drywall tape. Super think fiberglass non woven material. Comes in rolls of of different widths. I used it for some drywall projects and was happy with how it performed other than it caused me to itch like mad.
I just think it would work out for dash repairs because of its size and general properties.

Post by **amblerman** » 16 May 2023, 13:14

My original post with pictures in case anything is useful to you.
viewtopic.php?p=444318#p444318

Post by **scot850** » 16 May 2023, 14:19

I am going the 28 gauge pipe hanger strip and screws. The metal will also be glued with ABS/plastic glue and a smidge of plastic welding for goo measure. The original dash is beyond repair. The used one needs one mount repaired for cracks but I will reinforce all the mounts and it will then last for many more years. I like your idea except for fiber glass which I hate working with!!

Neil

Post by **scot850** » 16 May 2023, 19:21

Naturally the supplier of the 28 gauge strip I needed are not answering the phone and I can't find any other suppliers other than Amazon and on Prime the delivery it 1-14th June!! I drove to the other end of the City to the store and they don't have it in stock. They 'should' have it in stock tomorrow, but give then 2 hours after receiving the shipment to find it?

Spent the afternoon stripping the wiring harness out the original dash and anything else that may be of use. The whole RH end is completely destroyed and the LH end had one of the 3 mounts for the metal support bracket broken off as well. Tomorrow it will be junked and hopefully if the metal turns up I can get going on the repairs. I can at least fix the cracked mount with plastic ABS epoxy and plastic welding and reinforce all the outs with more plastic fillets. Once the strips of metal arrive I will glue and screw them in place. I will photograph the repairs and post accordingly.

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 17 May 2023, 20:06

I straightened the center section out so it looks less dented, but still dented.

I have talked it over with the 'Boss' and agreed we will just install the standard dash as it is. I never really like the silver dash parts so I will store them incase a future owner wants them. I will have to keep an eye out now for a center console so I can swap that panel out as well.

28 gauge strip came in today so hope to get the dash repairs completed tomorrow and Friday ready for son availability on the weekend to re-install. Just remembered I was going to install the Dolby unit which goes behind the center of the dash. Also need to make a wire up for the center speaker as it is much easier to fit before fitting the dash into the car. Oh, then that means sorting the plastic rind around the dash center speaker which is split. Man, it just never ends!

Neil.