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So I have a small crack in my dash and was wondering how much would it probably be to fix and how should I go about fixing it. My fear is it would grow bigger. I have attached a image of it.
There are dash repair options out there. Or inquire about having it professionally repaired. That crack is so small that you would hardly need to match the pattern.
Replacing the dash with a perfect one is the best option but it is a very large, delicate, and intricate job if you have not done them before. I can have the dash out of a junkyard car in about 30 minutes or so, add another roughly 15-30 minutes to that for removing a dash from a car in which you don't want to damage any of the interior trim. The passengers seat has to be unbolted and set in the rear seat floor, the steering column is best off dropped to the floor, lots of connectors unplugged, yada yada yada.
If there was much interest in the near future I could do a DIY tutorial in a salvage yard or something.
what about adding a flexible foam type of filler and then color matching the filler to the dash? I think that would be easiest.
To a novice, a dash removal would probably take 3-4 hrs. Not worth it in my opinion unless you have a show quality car.
You may even luck out by adding a small drop of super glue and try to hold the two sides together, as I believe this dash is the squishy/padded type and may have some give to be able to close the gap.
I think changing the starter would be easier than removing the dash from these cars. If you do take the dash out then defiantly have the heater core checked out and service the AC and evaporator etc. as its a great time to do that since you don't want to have to do it again anytime soon.
There are plastic / leather repair kits you can get and attempt to fix it. Or take it to a specialists that does that sort of thing.
Originally Posted by Banshee365
There are dash repair options out there. Or inquire about having it professionally repaired. That crack is so small that you would hardly need to match the pattern.
Replacing the dash with a perfect one is the best option but it is a very large, delicate, and intricate job if you have not done them before. I can have the dash out of a junkyard car in about 30 minutes or so, add another roughly 15-30 minutes to that for removing a dash from a car in which you don't want to damage any of the interior trim. The passengers seat has to be unbolted and set in the rear seat floor, the steering column is best off dropped to the floor, lots of connectors unplugged, yada yada yada.
If there was much interest in the near future I could do a DIY tutorial in a salvage yard or something.
Originally Posted by Losiracer2
what about adding a flexible foam type of filler and then color matching the filler to the dash? I think that would be easiest.
To a novice, a dash removal would probably take 3-4 hrs. Not worth it in my opinion unless you have a show quality car.
You may even luck out by adding a small drop of super glue and try to hold the two sides together, as I believe this dash is the squishy/padded type and may have some give to be able to close the gap.
Yea I will probably just try a repair kit or ask my dealer who they recommend to fix dash cracks.
Originally Posted by dicer
I think changing the starter would be easier than removing the dash from these cars. If you do take the dash out then defiantly have the heater core checked out and service the AC and evaporator etc. as its a great time to do that since you don't want to have to do it again anytime soon.
Yea I was looking around and it looks like a huge pain. I removed a dash of a Volvo 850 and I will say it took an hour if not less. Removing it on the LS400 looks like it will be a project lol.
. If you do take the dash out then defiantly have the heater core checked out and service the AC and evaporator etc. as its a great time to do that since you don't want to have to do it again anytime soon.
VERY good idea but ya can't get to the heater core without alot more work. This link is from my 93. Sorry, no pics. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ater-core.html
I might have to do the core in my 94 cuz it's leaking a bit and windows starting to fog. Still have heat so I hope it lasts til spring.
It's not really that bad. The first time has a steep learning curve but it's still not bad. I've done a lot harder one's than these. At least on the 95-97 the AC evaporator core is removable from under the glove box after removing the blower unit. No need to remove the dash. I can have the evaporator core out in 15 mins. The heater core I can't personally speak for.
Removing the dash from a junkyard car is fast and easy but removing your old dash from the car you want to keep nice takes a little more time to remove the side garnish's without breaking them so they can be reused.
I guess it's good the 95-97 are different then 93-94. my core was the first major work I did on the car other then the Timing belt a year earlier right after I brought it home. That wasn't even hard, just alot of stuff coming off. Both were in below freezing weather.
My suggestion would be try to fix the small crack first. If it doesn't hold, then think about a new dash.
Any auto body supply shop should carry a leather/vinyl crack filler - but it dries clear and will need to be topcoated with vinyl dye, if the supply shop has a SEM flexible coating system mix bank on site, they can get you something close.
You can try the 3M or Permatex kits and try to get the color close via eyeballing, but I've haven't had luck with those.
I guess it's good the 95-97 are different then 93-94. my core was the first major work I did on the car other then the Timing belt a year earlier right after I brought it home. That wasn't even hard, just alot of stuff coming off. Both were in below freezing weather.
My suggestion would be try to fix the small crack first. If it doesn't hold, then think about a new dash.
Yea I am going to try to fix it. If not then I will just wait until the whole dash cracks and looks like trash. Then the ODC will make me get a new one lol.
Originally Posted by nthach
Any auto body supply shop should carry a leather/vinyl crack filler - but it dries clear and will need to be topcoated with vinyl dye, if the supply shop has a SEM flexible coating system mix bank on site, they can get you something close.
You can try the 3M or Permatex kits and try to get the color close via eyeballing, but I've haven't had luck with those.
Yea there is a body shop near me that I trust a lot. I went there to see if the guy can fix the scrape on my door (Scrape was there when I got the car) and to see how much it would cost. He knows a lot about the LS400 and seemed knowledgeable about the car. Only thing is I got the white pearl paint so it is out of my price range to get it fixed. However, they also do work on leather. So whenever I get some free time I might take her down there to get some of the seats fixed up and the dash.
02-12-17, 11:06 PM
Suggestions for fixing small dash cracks?
but ya can't get to the heater core without alot more work. This link is from my 93. Sorry, no pics.