My dash pad on my 70 GS has been rattling on the drivers side. I pulled it off to make sure the retainer was still inserted in the metal part of the dash. The passenger side of the pad has a stud of sorts that slips into the retainer. My drivers side appears different with this little arm instead of the stud. Am I missing something here? Its been a while since I've had the pad off so I don't recall the proper set up, but this one won't grab the retainer.
There should be the one snap in pin on the right side and then the "locater" on the left. That's all held together with another 5-6 clips at the very top to engage the steel dashboard. Then of course about 100 little screws holding the gage panel bezel in place... ws
Is the pad the original? I dont know exactly when they went to that driver's side dash pad clip instead of the stud, but all the 72s Ive parted have had that style pad. The clip still goes into the same retainer the stud goes into. or does it not use the retainer with the dash pad clip?
I really thought mine had THREE studs. but the pic above shows the clip, but then I had an "AH-HA" moment and searched through the files and found the center push pin. ws
It's not the original dash pad, I bought it some years ago from here. The locator doesn't seem to do a whole lot to secure the drivers side. I did tighten all of the screws in the instrument bezel and put the two nuts on the backside passengers side, but it still rattles a little, a lot less, but still a little
70 had a pin and a retainer in three areas. Starting in 71 they replaced the left side only that was a spring type fit and no retainer was used in the left side. All dashes will work in any year . If left side has a pin then use a retainer . If a blade then no retainer .
Dave, my car is a 71 (w/70 bumpers and grill) and it has the snap in retainer in the dash on the drivers side. Are you saying the 71 and up do not have the retainer in the dash? That may make some sense since it seems to actually hold the dash out some and the finger doesn't appear to be held in place by the retainer. Maybe somewhere along my 36 years of owning the car I pulled the dash one time and saw the open hole and figured it needed a retainer, then when I bought my current dash with the finger instead of the stud, that's what causing the issue?
Craig, did you remove the drivers side clip and reinstall the pad? Did that get rid of your rattle and gap? Troy
I pulled the dash insert out of the drivers side dash today and really paid attention to how the finger retainer on the dash pad lines up. It goes in the dash and then up behind the op part of the hole where the clip used to be. A little bit of a pain but once it's in there it holds it nice!
I'm just wondering if that wasn't a revision on GM's part to help get rid of the sag-osis on the instrument lip (possibly heat from the sun??). I had about 4 1970 GS's that sagged but the 71 & 72's don't. Hmmm... So you insert the clip and push up to catch the steel and then continue down the line with the pins?
Yes, I started on the drivers side, get the finger close with the top of the pad tilted back slightly and looking in from the side, then it'll slip in as you also line up the two fingers on the pad that go above the instrument cluster and work your way down pushing in the two straight style retainers.retainers
So whats the fix for something like this? besides liquid nail and coat hanger wire and then some roofing tar over it all
I wonder if you could fabricate a replacement clip and sheet metal screw it to that large head rivet?
I'm thinking just find somebody with a bad junk dash and grab that piece whole and then grind the head down heavily and some also a bit on donor piece and (for distance) and then get the liquid nail out ....some epoxy would work
But after rereading the post someone suggests a pin will also work with a retainer on that side hmmm just wonder if it lines up over same location
I had one of the top clips come off. I kept it on my desk for 3 years and the BAMM. Off comes the dash and that was one of the fixes. Make it hot with a propane torch and smoosh it back in place. If the clips' busted find another one. ws
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