Dash problems on my KW

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by droy, Dec 31, 2008.

  1. droy

    droy Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 11, 2008
    Iowa, LA
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    On my 2004 W900, all the tabs that hold the dash panel's "speed nuts" to the dash are broken, and gone, or, are cracked, just barely there. Last April, bobtailing home after purchasing the truck, two of the gauge/switch panels just flopped open. Thinking it was just the screws stripped, I jammed them shut, and continued home. Once I got to investigating I realize that it's those tabs that are molded as part of the dash. I thought I could fab a piece of light metal, and screw it into the dash, then screw the panel screws into the strip of metal. Lots of bends, and little room to attach this metal strip to the dash, is making it harder than I thought. So many close bends causes an aluminum strip to break, and I'm afraid metal will be too heavy, (remember, screwing into plastic)

    Don't really want to price a dash from KW, much less the labor time involved to R & R it.

    Surely someone else has encountered this, and would appreciate any ideas.
     
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  3. Brickhauler

    Brickhauler Medium Load Member

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    Oct 1, 2008
    Elizabeth CO
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    Maybe you could take a flat piece of aluminum and pop rivet it to the plastic in behind where the dash broke out? Maybe you could do something with JB weld, that stuff is amazing and would stick to the plastic really well. Maybe go to the dealer and ask someone in the shop, they have probably seen the problem before.
     
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  4. rockrawlin

    rockrawlin Bobtail Member

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    Sep 5, 2008
    Chico, CA
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    I'd have to go out and look at my dash to see if this would work or not but here's an idea: take a piece of aluminum about 1/2" x 1" and thick enough to thread and make a rectangle nut out of it with the hole offset to one side to basically make a clamp that you thread on with the panel out and then rotate it into place when you tighten the screw. It would have to be long enough to stop against something to keep from turning all the way around.

    Hope that makes sense...
     
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  5. Bigstretch

    Bigstretch Light Load Member

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    Jun 14, 2008
    NW IL
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    Make it easy on your self.



    [​IMG]

    Pretty much any auto store or dealer should have something like this. If you have a John Deere dealer close, they have them.

    IIRC, JC Whitney has stuff like that as well.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2009
  6. droy

    droy Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 11, 2008
    Iowa, LA
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    Wish it would be that easy!
    Those speednuts are what were originally used to attach the dash panels. My problem is that the previous owner, or a driver overtightened, and broke the molded tabs that they clip on to. There is nothing there to screw, or rivet a piece of metal in it's place. I used some epoxy and "fashioned" some tabs this afternoon, not alot there to anchor on to, but I hope it works. That stuff is stronger than I imagined, if it sticks to the plastic, problem solved!

    Thanks for you'lls help, and suggestions!
     
  7. droy

    droy Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 11, 2008
    Iowa, LA
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  8. Bigstretch

    Bigstretch Light Load Member

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    Jun 14, 2008
    NW IL
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    If I Remember Correctly. :biggrin_25525: Sounds like the previous owner needs a whack on the head for breaking the ears off. Good luck with the epoxy.
     
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