1969 dash pad nuts

[Roger G.]

Today I pulled the passenger lower dash pad to replace the map pocket. I ordered an interior screw set from Dr Rebuild ahead of time to get things right on reinstallation. Unfortunately, someone has done this in the past, and used the wrong screws between the pad and the gauge bezel. So of course the holes are too big for the appropriate screws. The AIM shows a nut in the dash pad assembly for the gauge bezel screw. There is no part number, it just says "part of the dash pad assembly" The vinyl is wrapped over the edge of the pad, so I am guessing the nut is covered over. Is this a replaceable part? I was thinking of using a small wall anchor, but was concerned it wouldn't line up exactly right, so would like to avoid this if possible.. thanks

[Edward J.]

Re: 1969 dash pad nuts

Roger, I not positive but I thing the screws just screw in the plastic. if the screws were over sized try to fill the holes with JB weld and then just re-drill with a 1/16 bit and try to screw the screws in. This has worked for me before, The screws that screw in the side dash panels are pretty short maybe a 1/2 in.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 dash pad nuts

Roger, I not positive but I thing the screws just screw in the plastic. if the screws were over sized try to fill the holes with JB weld and then just re-drill with a 1/16 bit and try to screw the screws in. This has worked for me before, The screws that screw in the side dash panels are pretty short maybe a 1/2 in.

Be careful with the length of the screws Ed mentiones in his last sentence. IIRC, and it has been a long time, the two screws he cites are different length, and if you mix them up the longer one will make a bulge or pierce the dash pad. At least I saw that as a potential on my 1970 when I had the center instrument stack out.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1969 dash pad nuts

Hi Roger,
I agree with Edward that those fasteners on each side of the gauge bezel just screw into the plastic body of the side of the dash pad.
I looked for, (and 'felt' for), the nut mentioned in the AIM but didn't find any hint that the nut was there or that the pad was even set up to receive what appears to be a push-in 'nut' in the AIM.
I think a carefully trimmed plastic wall anchor is a good solution. I'd trim the outer surface too (the ring that you still see when the anchor pushed into the wall) so that the 'ring' doesn't act as a tiny spacer and hold the pad slightly away from the bezel.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Roger G.]

Re: 1969 dash pad nuts

Thank you to all who replied. I am posting a picture from the AIM for visual.
C50843B4-D35A-4089-91BA-D8526C0BAD34_zps3iqdtefg.jpg


Alan, I purchased some wall anchors yesterday , so that will be the next step. The nuts in the AIM appear to be slotted, which allows some wiggle room, so I was worried I would get the anchor in and it wouldn't line up. I also noticed on a lot of C3s the ears on the bottom of the dash pad pooch out where they meet the shifter console. I thought maybe the slot allows the pad to sink down so that happens.

Terry, you are right about the screws, one of them was too long and the vinyl was poking out, luckily not long enough to make a hole

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 dash pad nuts

Terry, you are right about the screws, one of them was too long and the vinyl was poking out, luckily not long enough to make a hole

Good interior judges look for those bulges. Most people would not even notice unless the screw poked through, and of course in that case (to use a bad pun) you or your car is screwed.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1969 dash pad nuts

Hi Roger,
I believe there was a slight change in the dash pad/shifter console connection in 1970, certainly by 1971, to help the dash pad from having the 'pooched' appearance.
A very small tab was added to the upper forward corners of the shifter console that fits in a small slot in the bottom of the right and left dash pads and helps keep the two in alignment.
You can JUST see the tab in this picture... next time I'll remember to pivot the console a little when I take the picture so you can see it better.
Regards,
Alan

[Roger G.]

Re: 1969 dash pad nuts

Good interior judges look for those bulges. Most people would not even notice unless the screw poked through, and of course in that case (to use a bad pun) you or your car is screwed.

Haha .... Yep... I'm sure there will be more of that to come the deeper I dig

[Roger G.]

Re: 1969 dash pad nuts

Hi Roger,
I believe there was a slight change in the dash pad/shifter console connection in 1970, certainly by 1971, to help the dash pad from having the 'pooched' appearance.
A very small tab was added to the upper forward corners of the shifter console that fits in a small slot in the bottom of the right and left dash pads and helps keep the two in alignment.
You can JUST see the tab in this picture... next time I'll remember to pivot the console a little when I take the picture so you can see it better.
Regards,
Alan

Thanks Alan....that is interesting... Always wondered why mine bowed out

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 dash pad nuts

Hi Roger,
I believe there was a slight change in the dash pad/shifter console connection in 1970, certainly by 1971, to help the dash pad from having the 'pooched' appearance.
A very small tab was added to the upper forward corners of the shifter console that fits in a small slot in the bottom of the right and left dash pads and helps keep the two in alignment.
You can JUST see the tab in this picture... next time I'll remember to pivot the console a little when I take the picture so you can see it better.
Regards,
Alan

Right you are Alan. I can not remember where or when, but Joe Kellogg, one of the seven NCRS founders once told a group of us about the changes made to the console and dash for 1970. He worked for GM Guide and apparently had something to do with the design of these interior components. The only detail I remember is that he said there were some sharp points on the earlier IP and many were damaged in shipment to St Louis. His newer 1970 design eliminated that issue.