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Cracked Dashboard replacement re-inforcement.

KearyG

KearyG

New Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2021
Messages
8
I've read all the posts on this subject. The threads seem a bit cold at this time, and I have a new idea, so here goes;

I'm purchasing a 2011 AV that has only a small crack at the airbag corner at this time due to it's low 77k mileage.
I've watched the Youtube videos on replacing the dash with a new dash, as well as using hot weld staples to re connect cracks and then applying an epoxy bead over the mechanically reconnected seam.

None of these fixes are guaranteed to keep new cracks from occurring over time.

I'm wondering if the backside of the dash could be reinforced with a layer of fiber glass fabric and epoxy resin as a preventive to limit future cracks. The thought is that the fiberglass would better distribute some of the point load stresses on the most common vulnerable crack locations. At the least, even if cracks still occur, the fiberglass should keep the two side of the crack from separating further. Fiberglass has some flexibility to it versus carbon fiber, which is pretty stiff.

It seems that the short distance cracks such as at the air bag and left side if instrument cluster tend to be first to go. My guess is that once the initial cracks occur, rigidity is reduced and stresses across other parts of the dash are increased, leading to more cracks.

Would greatly appreciate your thoughts.
 
Last edited:
KearyG said:
I'm wondering if the backside of the dash could be reinforced with a layer of fiber glass fabric and epoxy resin as a preventive to limit future cracks. The thought is that the fiberglass would better distribute some of the point load stresses on the most common vulnerable crack locations. At the least, even if cracks still occur, the fiberglass should keep the two side of the crack from separating further. Fiberglass has some flexibility to it versus carbon fiber, which is pretty stiff.

It seems that the short distance cracks such as at the air bag and left side if instrument cluster tend to be first to go. My guess is that once the initial cracks occur, rigidity is reduced and stresses across other parts of the dash are increased, leading to more cracks.
Click to expand...
The two places the cracks seem to occur first are always top of the passenger airbag and the left side of the top of the driver gauges along the "curve". I don' think it's a bad idea if a new dashboard were being installed to try and reenforce the bottom but getting the old dash off without breaking it is a struggle in itself.

I'm willing to bet that those who have kept their Avalanche in temperature controlled garages out of the sun are the least likely to have cracks as what seems to have destroyed them is the UV rays weakening the plastic and the daily temperature changes slowly working on the weakest parts. Applying a strong UV protectorate / using a sun visor when parked is going to arguably be more effective than reenforcing as you're stopping the root cause of the issue.

I personally have a dash issue that goes beyond my two cracks and I assume others have without knowing. The mounting points (pieces of thin plastic) that the front part of the dashboard closest to the windshield clip into have completely shattered and the only way to stop the rattling was to crazy glue the pieces back together.

(With that said I hope you chase down this project as I want to see what happens!)
 
My 2011 dash hung in really well, then I lost my sunshade and didn't replace it for several months (aka, after summer was over). Bam! Cracked dash at the airbag. Not too long after, at the curve. A couple of years later the dash is rattly and very flexible, I wouldn't be shocked if the mountings have gone too.
I'm considering replacing the dash. If I do, I'll be looking at reinforcing the new one and / or adding some mass to dampen vibrations, and what might be done for the mounting points, and finally use the sunshade every time I park the thing afterwards.
 
I found this repair on YT.

Makes a lot of sense. After the repair, install a skin and keep it protected with 303. If the skin cracks eventually, its easy to replace.

The important thing for me is to stabilize the original dash and prevent it from more cracking and annoying rattles. I think this is the most cost effective solution.

Installing a new dash is a cumbersome and involved project on ones own, and expensive if paid for retail. Then one still has the same problem, just starting from scratch.
 
KearyG said:
I found this repair on YT.

Makes a lot of sense. After the repair, install a skin and keep it protected with 303. If the skin cracks eventually, its easy to replace.

The important thing for me is to stabilize the original dash and prevent it from more cracking and annoying rattles. I think this is the most cost effective solution.

Installing a new dash is a cumbersome and involved project on ones own, and expensive if paid for retail. Then one still has the same problem, just starting from scratch.
Click to expand...
I have a cracked dash on my '04 Z66. Is buying a replacement dash even an option or is repair/skin the only choice? I have looked online but not found a way to even but=y a new dash.
 
My 2003 AV got a cracked dashboard and I got a replacement that goes right over the original one from rock auto and it went right in and looks brand new.. we made sure the original one didn't have loose piece for noise issues but it went in super easy.. $150 bucks..I like using them
 
I have the typcial cracked dash on my 2011. At the airbag and all along the curve.
Started with the center speaker. ( a weighty magnet mounted to brittle plastic) the mount is all broken and the speaker is just sliding and bouncing around. Any one have any ideas/suggestions on fixing the mounting or the speaker?
Anyone have any experience using a dash skin with a speaker? How do you access the speaker once the skin is installed?
 
If applying skin - I would cut dash around speaker.
and see what you can do to remount speaker.
IF space is limited - Call safelight and get windshield replaced after you destroy existing to remove it.
 
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