Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

[Mark E.]

For 69 and 70, any tricks or tips for aligning the bottom tips of each dash pad with the console? My interior is apart, so no photos from my car, but I found the photo below of another car with this issue on CF (mine isn't this bad).

One contributor on this thread said he used a heat gun on the plastic shell of the dash pad to make it soft enough to massage-bend, which improved the fit.

Has anyone tried this? Other successful methods?

I bought this car 26 years ago and these pieces were poorly aligned then. It also looked like it was taken apart at least once.

[Edward J.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

Mark, The center console should have a small tang that the dash pad slides into to keep everything in alignment. You may have to remove the dash pad and reset everything. or maybe the tang is broken.

[Mark E.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

No tang. I believe the tang is a post 1970 design.

[Edward J.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

I remember my 72 has one. I cannot say for sure about 70, But there must be a way to tuck into position one way or another. when I had my center cluster and r/side pad out to replaced a bulb that was out I remember It was a be bear to get into position.

[Bill L.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

I have a 70 and it is bear to get everything aligned. Sometimes the larger ears on a 70 are broken or the vinyl contracts over time from heating and cooling causing the ears to spread open. When assembling it is critical to have the center console as far forward as possible to create a sort of press or friction fit of the dash pads with the center console. Leave most of the screws somewhat loose to move things around before snugging them up except for the two screws most forward on the center console.

The key is the screws in either side of the center console. If the center console is in the proper position it will keep those ears in place pretty well. You will need to keep pressure on the center console pushing it forward while tightening up the two screws.

If the pads are deformed slightly but not cracked you can place the pads in the HOT sun to manipulate them some before installing. Be VERY careful they are old and can be very brittle.

Hope this helps.

Bill

[Alan S.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

Hi Mark,
In looking at your picture it appears the 2 screws that go through the side of the bezel are installed but are poorly placed in the right side lower pad.
Might this be 'contributing' to the mis-fit between the right side pad's lower inner corner and the shifter console's upper right corner?
Have you tried to correct that bezel/dash pad mis-fit? I believe that at least to some degree those 2 screws pull the pad tight against the bezel and in your case would improve the dash pad's fit with the console you're concerned with.
Maybe!
Regards,
Alan

[Mark E.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

Leave most of the screws somewhat loose to move things around before snugging them up except for the two screws most forward on the center console. The key is the screws in either side of the center console. If the center console is in the proper position it will keep those ears in place pretty well. You will need to keep pressure on the center console pushing it forward while tightening up the two screws.Bill

Bill, Which two screws do you mean? The two studs from the gauge cluster that snug up to the front of the console?

[Mark E.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

Hi Mark,
In looking at your picture it appears the 2 screws that go through the side of the bezel are installed but are poorly placed in the right side lower pad.
Regards,
Alan

Alan, Thanks for your help. My interior is apart, so I used a representative photo from the internet to illustrate the problem. In my case, the gauge cluster fits well and its screws were tight with each dash pad. If you can imagine a gap of about 1/4" between the tips of each dash pad and the outside edge of the cluster... that's my challenge. It almost as though the pads tips warped out of position.

[Bill L.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

Bill, Which two screws do you mean? The two studs from the gauge cluster that snug up to the front of the console?

Two on the side under the small covers. One each side.

Bill

[Mark E.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

Thanks Bill. I'll follow your advice during reassembly see how it goes.

This may sound anal, but this misalignment really bugs me. It's the most noticeable imperfection of the car.

[Alan S.]

[Bill L.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

Thanks Bill. I'll follow your advice during reassembly see how it goes.

This may sound anal, but this misalignment really bugs me. It's the most noticeable imperfection of the car.

Just a bit more info. I am likely just as anal. The dash reassembly almost made me a permanent member of the looney bin as opposed to a frequent visitor.

The order in which everything goes together is top pad, left pad (check to make sure the lower steering column cover fits at this point), Center console (loosely in place at this point), gauge bezel, and the last pad to install is the right pad. If memory serves me I worked from the center out when tightening all the screws once the alignment is good. It will likely never be perfect as they were never perfect. Most gauge bezels stick out a little on the top left. Mine does not and I have no idea why other than it fit well. Keep in mind all parts are either original or original GM. The gauge bezel was replaced with a good used original and I found an NOS center console. When you tighten up the screws just snug them up so they do not strip or crack the plastic. This is especially true of the center console where the shifter plate is attached. I reinforced mine with plastic pieces from a donor and used bonding material to attach them. The trick was to reinforce them while still being able to use the clips and screws as original. It took a little refinement with a dremel tool.

I should note at this point it took over three weekends to get the dash back together with a lot of muttering under my breath. Get the radio completely restored so after reassembly you do not have to take it all apart again. Ask me how I know!

IMHO this was the absolutely the toughest part of all the work done to date. If you removed the main dash harness it will add quite a bit to the project. Hopefully you took some pictures to reference.

It is good you are in Texas because you want to do the reassembly when is is REALLY hot out. I set all the parts in the hot sun so the vinyl would not crack due to their age.

The really rewarding part is that when done, all is correct and dare I say, not a rattle was to be heard. I still think this is one of the nicest dashes ever designed by GM, especially at night with the fiber optic light indicators.

Bill

[Mark E.]

Re: Poor alignment of console with bottom of dash pads- 1970

Bill,

Thank you so much for the instructive points and inspirational comments. I agree: Reassembling the dash and console properly is one of the most challenging parts of the car's restoration.