This weekend, I was finishing up my interior when I ran across a problem trying to fasten down the screws for the dash pad. None of the screws were holding. They just kept turning without ever becoming tight. I took the pad back off of the dash and flipped it over and saw what the problem was. Every retainer mounted under the dash pad was broken. Luckily, I had just ordered some door panel clip retainers from Cars inc. that I wound up not using on the door panels. These are the oval ones made of white plastic. Turns out that they work PERFECTLY as replacements for the original broken ones. I removed all of the broken bits of the old retainers using a little 90` pick. I then filled up the cavity in the dash with black RTV silicone and then inserted the new retainers. I weighted down each retainer to keep them flush with the dash and let it dry overnight. It worked great! No more loose screws. At least not in my dash, anyway.:laugh: I'm pretty sure it would be the same on the 66's. Here's a couple of pics I took.
:gp: That method also worked on my '68 Riviera Nick - the original plastic dash pad inserts were a much thinner plastic than the door panel inserts, and were cracked and broken. Changed them out for the 'beefier' door inserts, which fit the slotted holes perfectly and the instrument cluster screws had something to bite on !! Same as using plastic inserts for putting screws in drywall, or gyprock, the cluster screws actually expand the heavier inserts slightly so they actually get wedged into the metal slotted holes !! :TU:
Good info Nick. I've been thinking about what to do on mine as I have the same issue. Can you tell me the part number of these retainers? Thanks Peter
wow thanks! do you by chance have the part number bc when i go to cars inc i cant seem to find it online. I must just be passing it up
I've seen those inserts on eBay, and bought some only to discover later most of my '66 door panels don't need them. Just search for Impala door panel retainers: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3141689963...eoBqTxrlr88M1JNxXyv3xxNNyQ==|tkp:BFBM0MXYvKNh
