'91 N/A FC3C Convertible

I tried to replace my wiper and turn signal switches today. I unscrewed the bottom two screws holding the hood on and BOTH of the nylon pieces the screws went into broke off! You may ask if I forced them. The answer is "No." I gently (honest!) turned the screws out and there was next to no resistance. Now there is nothing to hold the screws, and the bottom of the hood, in place!

The top screws came out fine and went back in fine. (I didn't replace the switches because now I am afraid of removing the steering column shroud and breaking more attaching points.)

Is this common?

What the h*&$ do I do now? Arrrrrgh!

 

are you talking about the surround that the switch attaches to?
just grab another one.used.
Welcome to 25 year old plastic!

 

Nope, I'm talking about the Instrument Panel tabs that the surround (hood, Instrument Cluster Switch Housing) screws into.

Five screws hold the hood in place. Three in the underside of the top, and two in the bottom of the hood. The Haynes book says to remove the steering wheel and then the Steering Column Cover before removing the surround. I thought that was to remove the instruments not the switch hood.

I would get my McGiver hat and jury up plastic tabs and Gorilla Glue or epoxy it to the sides and tap a hole in each or use clips, but I am not comfortable removing a steering wheel with an air bag in it. Time to call in a pro I think.

A simple task gets much more complicated. Afraid I was thinking of this car in terms of when I fiddled with them back in the 90s. Live and learn.

Now where's my Duct Tape--I mean, 200mph racing tape.

 

Ah..I got what you are saying..
IF you PM me your Email address I will show you what I did to my car to attach the surround to the dash.
Those little tabs busted off.
It will have to be done in the Morning ..lol!

I'll PM you the "rough instructions" right now,so you can get an idea though.