My dash is cracked just to the left of my center vents, see the green marks on the pic below (sorry about the poor quality). It started on the peice of plastic that directly borders the left side of the left vent, it's the green mark that is higher up. I noticed it had gone further the other day. It has now started on the actual dash itself, the lower green marks. This area is about six inches forward from the other cracks on the flat part between the part that shoots out with the vents on it (where the other cracks are) and the part that does the same for the gauges. I have also noticed that on a hot day, I live in michigan so hot is a relative term, the cracks will close up to the point were they are no longer visible. Upon cooling they go right back to the way they were before.

Has anybody else had this problem with their 3rd gen?? Did you find out what's causing it? Or better yet, have you fixed it?

Any insight is greatly appreciated.



edit: woa, that pic is way small, sorry! I think you'll see what I am talking about though.

 

Wow that sucks! I dread the day I see a crack in my dash! Well I think the variable weather temperatures have alot to do with your problem. I'm in Ontario Canada ( just slightly north-east of Michigan ) and the hot sunny / cold cloudy days really pummel the dashpads. I think the heat beaming down on the dashpad causes it to expand and close up the crack....in contrast the cooler temperatures cause the dash to shrink back. There are all sorts of protective spray-on agents to wipe down the dashpad....but I don't know if it's really all that good or bad to use them. My Z stays out in the sun alot and I make it a point to use a car cover or inner windshield cover whenever possible. Also leaving the windows rolled down slightly will disapait the inner heat. Taking these measures will also save alot of your interior...but I think most of this is common sense ( unless your the type of person who doesn't give a hoot!). So far it's worked. I don't think a cracked dash is easy to repair and if it is repaired probably will be visible. Getting a replacement isn't easy either. Because alot of the third-gens are virtually turning into classics soon it's pretty difficult to find a near-mint dash replacement. I've seen plenty with cracks in them. Tough call.

 

weather definitly plays a factor on our dashes...i try & use a sun visor thingy when mine is in direct sunlight

 

It is most definitely from the cold and heat. I'm just surprised it hadn't cracked sooner, considering the freezing winter we had. I believe there's a spray you can buy to treat the dashpad and give it back some of its original flexibility. This won't fix your problem, but may prevent further cracks. If you're going to repair it, bring it to a pro. It's not easy to fix on your own without having the cracks visible. Loosen the screws to keep it from getting worse for now.

 

Wait I think you guys are talking about the dashPAD, and he's asking about the dash itself.

Dashpad cracks, yeah, those are definately caused by weather.

As for the dash itself, my guess is the cause of those cracks is under the hood. It looks like your car suffers from a condition known as torqueustoomuchus. My 86 IROC is cracked in the same place.

Prevention? Hmm, maybe a stb? That should keep the firewall from flexing.

 

The dash is extremely weak there, and is prone to cracking. It's also very common to crack on the passenger side of where the center console contacts it too. I've got a spare dash in my living room, and I plan to reinforce it before I install it.

 

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Jim and Mike are correct. I am talking about the dash itself. Also, the crack in it goes away with high temps, and rears it's head with cold temps.

Hmmmmm, firewall flexing, huh? That would make perfect sence where the cracks are located, but why would they open and close with ambient temperature? Two options that I am conisdering are SFC's and/or a couple of shims on either side of the dash where it mounts, but I like the idea of a STB also.

I guess I have a few more Q's then.

First, has anyone remedied a dash like this? If I could only get it to stay like it is when the car is heated up by the sun.

Second, how hard is the dash to get out, and how much would it be to replace? Remember, I am not talking about the dash pad.

 

I'd have to say it's going to be a b**** to get the old one out, and the new one in with wireing, etc, but I've honastly NEVER seen a entire dash taken out of a third gen at any junkyard, so I'd assume, they'd sell it to you for under $100 if your patient enough to do all that work for a few cracks. But then again, if it was my car, I'd be doing the same, hope this helps.

Good luck with your car.