Loose Dash Help

[John and Jo]

Pomme de terre

The dash on my Dethleffs (A class) has a tendency to depart from the rest of the vehicle. Or more accurately, the screws work loose under vibration. It’s getting to the point where some don’t tighten up as guess the holes have enlarged. Even the ones that you can tighten to a decent torque, still tend to work their way out.

So my question to the floor is, any ideas to alleviate this tiresome problem? I have thought of glue (but what if I want to remove), different/longer fixings maybe. I’m hoping for a radical suggestion (radical not stupid).

Photo attached.

Merci and au revoir.

 

[Figaro]

Bigger screws with sharp (?) thread might work
Not sure what they`re called but the type that grip in a thread very firmly.
B&Q have them or screwfix

 

[pappajohn]

Star washers on the screws.
They'll bite into the screw head and dash.

 

[Phill D]

can you get in between the 2 layers and put these onto the bottom dash panel ( or similar )

 

[rosalan]

Depends on what the screws go into, you may have spring clips which can be tightened with pliers, alternately you could use screws one size larger (fatter) if they are going into a hole which has become enlarged.
There are also some adhesives used in engines to hold screw threads more permanently from Motor factors.
If they are simply screwing into a plastic hole, you may be able to fit one of several types of spring clips that can push onto a plastic lip. As shown above. Good luck!

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[Gellyneck]

What about captive J or U nuts?

edit : ooooops just as Phill D says above

 

[Phill D]

it may also be an idea to put a thin piece of rubberised foam between the layers to act as a vibration damper

 

[Podney]

Chewing gum or super glue? Sorry!

What pillock made it so badly in the first place,would be my first question.

 

[froli's]

I had a similar problem. I left the original screws in place and drilled new holes between the originals and put in new self tapper screws. Small holes and big self tapper screws is the key.

 

[John and Jo]

Chewing gum or super glue? Sorry!

What pillock made it so badly in the first place,would be my first question.

and we were doing so well.

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[Gellyneck]

OK, out of left field!
How about self-adhesive velcro between the panels to take the strain off the existing screws?

 

[Podney]

OK, out of left field!
How about self-adhesive velcro between the panels to take the strain off the existing screws?

Hey!
I wished I’d said that.

 

[pappajohn]

Drill the holes out and fit these...
Amazon product ASIN B073VBFY8R

 

[John and Jo]

OK, out of left field!
How about self-adhesive velcro between the panels to take the strain off the existing screws?

cheers but cant see it lasting.

 

[John and Jo]

Hey!
I wished I’d said that.

STILL CAN

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[John and Jo]

Drill the holes out and fit these...

Amazon product ASIN B073VBFY8R

Promising.

 

[pappajohn]

Promising.

Can you open the link, for some reason I can't.
They are good enough to hold trim panels and wheel arch trim in place.... And reusable if necessary.

 

[Podney]

STILL CAN

Yes,but would it last?

 

[Gellyneck]

cheers but cant see it lasting.

It was more 3M Dual Lock I was thinking of but probably too thick for your needs.

 

[Gellyneck]

Can you open the link, for some reason I can't.

Neither can I. Just copied and pasted into browser address bar though.

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[John and Jo]

Can you open the link, for some reason I can't.

yes thanks just cut the first bit off and went from http

 

[pappajohn]

yes thanks just cut the first bit off and went from http

OK.... Sorted now for others to see how brilliantly clever I am.

 

[tonyidle]

Silicon sealant in each hole before you put the screw in. I doubt the dashboard is moving - it's more likely that the front of the body is inadequately supported.

 

[Sasbo]

If you can remove the top dash panel or prise it up enough, you could fit small 'rivnuts'into the lower dash panel and then secure the top panel with small black domed headed set screws. I use 'rivnuts' on thin alloy panels and they work a treat.

 

[The Wino]

Could you epoxy some nuts under the lower panel and use small machine screws. You would have to be careful to not get epoxy inside the nut thread!!!

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[John and Jo]

If you can remove the top dash panel or prise it up enough, you could fit small 'rivnuts'into the lower dash panel and then secure the top panel with small black domed headed set screws. I use 'rivnuts' on thin alloy panels and they work a treat.

 

[Ditcha]

Had exactly the same problem screws coming loose all the time, then I fitted VB uprated springs much improved ride and no more crashing over bumps and now no more problems with the screws unwinding.

 

[Spriddler]

Had exactly the same problem screws coming loose all the time, then I fitted VB uprated springs much improved ride and no more crashing over bumps and now no more problems with the screws unwinding.

I was going to suggest it might be worth having the front wheels balance checked.

 

[John and Jo]

Had exactly the same problem screws coming loose all the time, then I fitted VB uprated springs much improved ride and no more crashing over bumps and now no more problems with the screws unwinding.

Cheers Ditcha, is does seems shake the the arse off things and the dash gets the brunt of it cos funny thing is the glasses in the glass cabinet barely move or rattle. I've been pondering on air suspension ....maybe hmmm.

 

[John and Jo]

I was going to suggest it might be worth having the front wheels balance checked.

will do that when when change tyres ....soon.

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