2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

Gauge cluster loose surround fix.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-06-04, 08:33 PM
  #1  
fire from MY tailpipe!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
xfeastonarsex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Cincinnati, Oh
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Exclamation Gauge cluster loose surround fix.

I dont know a good name for the title, a mod can change it to better fit what I am fixing. Well I dont know about anyone else but the surround for my gauge cluster was loose when I got the car, well I guess the guy before me broke the bottom two mounts. Well my surround was loose and it was getting annoying. I took it apart and fabricated something nice and simple to fix this.
What you are going to need are some pop rivits and a pop rivit gun. Also some bracket hanging... cant remember what it is called now... anyways it comes in a roll it is steel and has holes (2 different sizes) alternating along it. I screwed 2 of these hole things over each other so they overlapped and measured how far back they need to be so the surround will sit right. Then i drilled a hole in the dash and layed the two on top of each other and pop rivited it into the dash. I then put the surround back on and screwed it in. It worked suprisingly well, anyways here is a pic so you dont have to read all of this. It is kinda blurry but you get the idea.
Old 02-06-04, 09:34 PM
  #2  
Lives on the Forum

 
RETed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: n
Posts: 26,664
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Why does this thread have 5 stars on it???


-Ted
Old 02-06-04, 10:41 PM
  #3  
Full Member

 
mintrx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Australia - NSW
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bracket hanging... cant remember what it is called now... anyways it comes in a roll it is steel and has holes (2 different sizes)
Hoop Iron
Old 02-06-04, 10:42 PM
  #4  
Displacement > Boost

 
88IntegraLS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Since you put us on the postwhore track, I'll add my bit and say that that is one fine babe you got in that there avatar.


I think this thread was originally about the plastic screw anchors that crack to pieces in the instrument bezel. He bolted a piece of metal strip in place to serve as a mounting point for the instrument cluster surround.
Old 02-06-04, 10:57 PM
  #5  
fire from MY tailpipe!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
xfeastonarsex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Cincinnati, Oh
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally posted by 88IntegraLS
He bolted a piece of metal strip in place to serve as a mounting point for the instrument cluster surround.
ed zachey.
Old 02-07-04, 11:30 AM
  #6  
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Icemark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Rohnert Park CA
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 19 Posts
Originally posted by RETed
Why does this thread have 5 stars on it???


-Ted
someone is hopeing that it gets archived.
Old 02-07-04, 11:37 AM
  #7  
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Icemark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Rohnert Park CA
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 19 Posts
Re: Gauge cluster loose surround fix.

Originally posted by xfeastonarsex
I dont know a good name for the title, a mod can change it to better fit what I am fixing. Well I dont know about anyone else but the surround for my gauge cluster was loose when I got the car, well I guess the guy before me broke the bottom two mounts. Well my surround was loose and it was getting annoying. I took it apart and fabricated something nice and simple to fix this.
What you are going to need are some pop rivits and a pop rivit gun. Also some bracket hanging... cant remember what it is called now... anyways it comes in a roll it is steel and has holes (2 different sizes) alternating along it. I screwed 2 of these hole things over each other so they overlapped and measured how far back they need to be so the surround will sit right. Then i drilled a hole in the dash and layed the two on top of each other and pop rivited it into the dash. I then put the surround back on and screwed it in. It worked suprisingly well, anyways here is a pic so you dont have to read all of this. It is kinda blurry but you get the idea.
the only problem with that setup of using a hunk of backstrap (which I have used for years myself) is that the height of the strap is about 3/16ths higher than the stock piece of plastic.

What this means is, now the recessed screw hole in the black gauge surround can be pulled up that much.

If the plastic on the gauge surround is old/dry/brittle (and lets face it, what plastic on a FC is not) then after a couple 1000 miles, or a couple loosening and tightening of the bottom screw or even over tightening of the bottom gauge surround screw, the plastic recess will break out of the gauge surround.

So if you do this strap method, you will want to also build or use a spacer/washer to make up for the height difference and prevent the gauge surround recessed screw holes from being ripped out.

Often the easiest is to just super glue a small hunk of plastic with a drilled hole to the top edge of the recessed screw hole on the gauge surround.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
09-16-18 07:16 PM



Quick Reply: Gauge cluster loose surround fix.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:24 PM.