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Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:21 am
by potleyu18
Just received a replacement crash pad for my plus 2 as the original has shrunk with age and doesn't meet up to the windscreen any more. it came from Paul Matty.

Having removed the dashboard there is no way that i can make it fit its slightly different in the end design and this seems to be the problem as with a lot of squeezing etc i can get the crash pad in the car but the dashboard does line up correctly.

Has anyone tried to fit one of these and have they experienced similar problems and if so how were they overcome.

Regards

Steve

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:27 am
by Mazzini
I haven't had a Matty crash pad, but I have fitted a Type 26 crash pad to my S2. The crash pad fitted into the space ok, but then the dash wouldn't fit, I ended up using an old scrap dashboard and gently forcing the dash board in inch by inch, when it was fitted I left it for a few months, I was doing a ground up, over the course of time the crash pad seemed to relax and I could then fit the proper dash without issue.

I suspect they were all a bad fit from new, but over fifty years they have relaxed into shape.

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 2:48 pm
by LaikaTheDog
had a similar problem.... when dash fitted to new pad the glove box wont open.... glove box only opens when dash is not attached to pad !!!

lesson learnt : get old pad recovered
get mine back in two weeks...

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 5:35 pm
by Gordon Sauer
Is it ABS or what, I have an ABS one I got and I did some cutting and heating and bending and made it fit pretty well but still ended up turning to a Europa one that I expanded; it seems the rigidity of the ABS type ones don't lend themselves to fitting in that area very well and ultimately I felt the ABS one was too thick and didn't want to try heating and risking collapsing it. Gordon Sauer

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 7:34 pm
by RichC
got mine from susan miller recently. it was a new venture for her and I let her know it fitted very well. I had it covered locally. the only issue was that the middle bit under the windscreen was too deep . This was only apparent when fitted as the crashpad now sits i little low over the instruments which means I don't get a view of the handbrake light !
I'm afraid the whole palava of removing the dash to trim half an inch or so off the crashpad has meant I haven't done it yet ....
it was v tight between the windscreen pillars , but there are no rattles or squeaks :wink:

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 2:18 pm
by potleyu18
Thanks for the advice and looks like i will be sending the dash back to Paul Matty and getting the old one re covered.
When i spoke to the workshop manager he said the dash as was moulded in ABS had to be trimmed at the sides to make it fit but this removes all of the structural support from it so a pointless procedure.

Steve

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 6:59 am
by bill griffiths
On the same topic I have just had a trial fitting of the untrimmed crash pad which came with all the other bits, and a brand new dashboard.
My specific problem is with the two pieces which, at their outboard ends, provide for the courtesy light switch. Perhaps only in my imagination they were designed to fasten on to the back of the dashboard.
The off side one even has a small triangular addition with a hole, perhaps, I wonder, to fit the bonnet release handle.
However none of the foregoing appears correct, perhaps because of the intrusion of the new crash pad at the rear ends of the dashboard which make impossible the fastening of the courtesy light switch holders to the back of the dashboard. If that is where they go!!
I have searched the forum for photographs without success.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Bill

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 9:20 am
by wotsisname
Bill
I think you are referring to parts 2 & 3 , from the diagram in the parts manual.
[My dash is currently dismantled so can only do pictures of the parts, from memory]
For an early +2 (hopefully the same for later cars).
Part 5 (and an equivalent on the other side) is fixed onto the back of the dash (woodscrews). Part 5 has x2 threaded rods "welded" to it.. will have to check the thread]
Part 3 bolts onto part 5 and 22 is attached through the hole below the A pillar.
I am not near my car to take photos or check if there is a captive nut on the "A-pillar"
The bonnet release passes into a separate triangular bracket (which has a hole and slot, from memory)...this may be what you are referring to, I'll have to dig these parts out to confirm where they go... I am a few weeks off trying to refit my dash I think



dash.jpg and

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 4:18 am
by bill griffiths
Thanks Wotsisname! That is a big help.
Of course, the arms which hold the courtesy light switches need to be able to be detached from the back of the dashboard by an easier means than undoing wood screws when the dash is in position!
I shall attach a photograph showing the two arms and one of the two plates to which they are attached.
You will see what appears to be, on the drivers side arm, a support for the bonnet catch! On my earlier Plus 2 there was a separate bracket - of course there were innumerable changes on a regular basis!
Anyway, the crash pad will need to be cut away before these arms can be fitted. Before I start doing that I would be really pleased of any relevant words of caution!
Regards
Bill

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 9:26 am
by wotsisname
Yes, those are the parts. The triangular bracket for the bonnet release, looks like mine, but mine is not fixed to the angle bracket [I have to check, but think it was screwed into the lower edge of the dash

I have an OE crashpad & dash if pictures / dimensions will help. My dash has all the original holes on the back so it's not too hard to work out where things go
Currently the two parts are separated, originally they were stapled together (I don't know if this was as it left the factory).

Apologies to the OP if this has hijacked your thread.

Adrian

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 10:15 pm
by bill griffiths
Seems another problem with after market crash pads. Part will have to be relieved to allow the arms to sit agaimst the back of the dash.
Regards
Bill

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 11:07 am
by wotsisname
I guess the million dollar question (and neatly back to the OP) - has anyone got before & after pictures / dimensions ?

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 5:03 pm
by Bigbaldybloke
Ref the brackets that hold the courtesy light switches, the drivers side one also has a whole for mounting the small cable that is used to reset the speedo trip meter, its like a short speedo drive cable. I've just received my dash top from Mick Millers - haven't tried it yet as I need to strip the instruments from the old dash and build them into the new one. Plus sort out the dashboard wiring harness while I'm at it, as I'm fitting a voltmeter in place of the ammeter as I now have an alternator fitted and also I'm changing to an electronic oil pressure gauge - never liked the thought of oil being piped behind my dashboard! What are the after market demister vents like, my originals are pretty tatty.

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 12:44 pm
by bill griffiths
I was fortunate that my current Plus 2 was entirely dismantled 20 years ago because the upholstery is in good condition having been saved all those years of service!
There was one tear (caused during storeage) requiring a new piece of vinyl. The identical material is still available and indeed the new panel cannot now be identified.
Here is my present problem.
Am I correct in assuming that the trim around the lower extremities of the dash is the same material as covers the crash pad, and might someone tell me how to identlfy the vinyl to be used for that purpose?
Regards,
Bill

Re: Replacement Crash Pad

PostPosted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 7:21 am
by RichC
crashpad is not material backed but vacuum formed rigid plastic . the bits you're asking about are vinyl covered material but a slightly heavier grain than on the seats i think ....easy enough to source and fix.