The holes in my dash that hold the cluster/gauge cover are stripped,im sure plenty of other people had this problem.

What did you do to fix it?

 

I believe they have clips in there that the screws go into - maybe you can replace them. I think they look like:

http://www.dormanproducts.com/catalo...ec20_Part1.pdf

Called U-type Spped Nuts - Scroll down and look at like part number 700-542

Most auto parts stores carry these in the HELP! section in a box that has various sizes.

 

Thanks for the quick reply!

For some reason I thought it was just plastic holes in the dash where the screw/bolt goes. I will go back in the garage and look again.

 

they are plastic posts, they strip. Use a slightly larger screw, thats about all you can do. unless you can fill the hole with epoxy, and drill it back out to the right size

 

Any certain brand of epoxy you would recommended?

 

bump

 

I would use J-B Weld or a slow cure epoxy. Just remember the faster cure time epoxy will get brittle over time faster than slow cure. I have not seen J-B Weld get brittle.

 

You are talking about THIS correct? And not theirCold Welding Compound?

 

I lean towards the cold weld due to you will be using it to dill and put screws in. That stuff bonds better and almost seams better than original, once you're done.

I would get something to test it on and see how it works. You will be impressed. That is if you mixed it correctly. Also make sure you clean and prep the whole to be fixed. Any dirt and it will not bond properly.

 

Get a Set of Helicoils. Drill out the hole to the size called for in the kit for the Thread size you need. Use the provided Tap on the hole. Be Careful since the hole is PLASTIC, not metal. Once you have drilled and tapped a new bigger hole, screw the Helicoil into the hole and you will have a Stronger more professional looking repair than OEM. You may want to set the Helicoil with Thread Locker or MAYBE Super glue, but only AFTER you've installed it. If i were to use the Super Glue (I never have tried it) I would use a VERY small amount right at the top of the repair. you wouldn't want to get it on your nice new threads. The purpose is only to keep the Helicoil from backing out. Just make sure that if you go that route, you apply the glue AFTER you have completely installed the Helicoil.

 

The epoxy fix is the best repair! Larger screws don't look stock and other fixes require making the damage worse! Just put some epoxy on a toothpick and coat the inside of the oversized screw hole. Make sure it cures 24 hours before you put the screw in.

 

The Helicoil Repair would allow him to use the stock screws. The only reason he would have to drill the hole larger would be to insert the Metal Helicoil. The Inside of the Helicoil would have his old thread size. Trust me, The Epoxy repair would look Horrible and wouldn't be as Strong. I've been a Machinist in the Navy for 4 years and then the army for 12 years. Helicoils would make a nice repair. Again STOCK SIZE screws.

 

For all of you that don't know what i'm talking about, here's the procedure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFYa6sjhh_E

 

Where can i Get a helicoil repair kit from?

 

Harbor Freight or Sears would have what you are looking for.

 

I hereby Apologize to Wdigitog. Since i have to replace my cluster as well, i went outside to remove it. I noticed that all the screws involved were self tapping or sheet metal type. There are no Helicoils for this application. It seems to me that the only course of action would be epoxy. I'm sorry to have misled you jprix. Perhaps in another situation, Helicoils would be a neat clean repair, but not in this one. Next time perhaps i should do some more research on exactly what the application is. Again, i'm sorry to anyone i've misled or offended.