AaronE

There's tons in the archive about cracked dashboards, but in addition to the cracks (which I don't really mind) my dash is severely warped. The part where it meets the center console and glovebox sticks up almost an inch. I can push on it and move it a few millimeters, but nothing close to how much it's unflush. The glovebox itself also seems warped. Below are pics so you can see what I mean.

<img src="http://momentoffame.com/snapshots/MomentOfFame/l33910.jpg" alt=" - " />

<img src="http://momentoffame.com/snapshots/MomentOfFame/l33911.jpg" alt=" - " />

Anybody know what causes this and how to fix it short of replacing the whole thing? I'm not terribly fond of dashcaps, but would get one if I thought it would hide this. Unfortunately though, I think it'll just look stupid seeing as how what would be underneath sticks up so much. Thanks in advance!

Dozman

Basically high interior heat, maybe lack of a/c. But mostly the intensity of direct sunlight. The latter will do that quickly.

How to repair, I hope a few more pipe in. I have a similiar situation in my red shark.

Michael Robinson

Wish I could shoot out some ideas with your warped dash. I feel your pain. Hope things work out well.
While on the topic of dashboards, I am looking to replace my whole interior. I want to get rid of the dash cover that currently covers the warped vents. I want to replace the whole dash and maybe upgrade the pod to digital readout if I am able to. I was wondering how would you go about removing the dash. Is it a complicated process and does it involve getting under the hood to remove bolts and such. I am able to stand a little bit of pain and anguish for a new dash.

Normy

I'd have to look at it in person to be sure-

I've totally restored the interior of my '85 S2 5 speed, though I have to say that it was not warped the way your pictures show.

I wonder- is this just the leather or vinyl loose, or is the dashboard underneath actually warped?

My Florida car has been baked for 18 years and I don't have this problem. Of course, my car's checkered history involves many garages, and one owner who died in the car

A "haunted" shark?

-That would explain the self-locking door locks...

So perhaps its not the same. I might advance simply gluing down the loose leather or vinyl, if that is what is wrong....

Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/NinteriorLs.jpg" alt=" - " />

SNAG84Sa

Normy, what is the middle **** by the hand brake, and also do you have a switch for the passenger window? By the way, I wish my interior looked as good as yours (cracked dash and pod, worn seats and dirty carpet). You did a good job!

AaronE

It's not just the leather that's warped. Whatever's under it is what's raised. It seems like particle board or something that's under the leather. The leather is still glued down (very securely I might add) so that's not the problem. That's why I asked what could cause this, as it seems strange that heat alone could cause whatever hard substance is under there to lift that much.

In any case, I'm thinking that a bernz-o-matic might be enough to heat the glovebox back into shape as I can get to the inside of it. The dash is another story. Anybody know what's under there and how it might be reshaped? And might it be possible to do so without removing the whole darn thing?

PS. nice interior Normy!

PPS. Michael, in the archives there's bunches of posts that detail dash removal, surprisingly entitled "dash removal"; one from just last month =)

Nicole

Aaron:

The leather has shrunk from the heat, and if the glue held everything together, it warped the whole thing at once. I see little hope for fixing the exisitng dash.

Since you are close to the Bay Area I suggest you stop at DEVEK in Belmont, and speak to George. Not only has George completely restored his own 928 ( <a href="http://www.phat928.com" target="_blank">www.phat928.com</a> ), he also manages DEVEK's used part inventory. He is s great resource!

Maybe you want to switch to a non-leather dash, console and door armrests to avoid the same issue in the future. Porsche discontinued the leather dashes for the US market some time in the mid-80ies because of too many customero complaints.

The main reason I have heard was that the glue softened in the heat and allowed the shrinking leather to pull off it's position. In your case, it seems the glue held and the shrinking leather warped whatever it was connected to.

Are we going to see you at "Sharks in the Park" in May?

Nicole

Normy:

Is your dash leather covered or sprayed? Can't tell from the picture. It looks nice in the light color. Very clean!

Normy

SNAG- the middle **** is the headlight adjustment ****. My car is an S2, originally sold in Vienna, Austria with the Euro spec headlights. Since these are far more efficient, when the rear of the car is loaded down, it is necessary to aim the headlights down a few degrees to avoid blinding oncoming cars. This system works via vacuum and allows this from inside the car.

US model cars do not have this system.

Nicole- I had the interior re-tanned by a guy recommended by the PCA here in Orlando. He explained the procedure to me: Leather is in reality painted by the factory. Cow's don't come this color!

-I bought a car that me, and my mother [who decorated our house and taught me colors] would call "champagne" on the inside...kind of a gentle beige. I bought champagne carpets when I went to restore the interior. And Porsche champagne carpets arrived...only there was one problem: I discovered then that my car was actually "gray-beige" interior wise...

I liked the champagne better anyway, and had the guy re-tan [paint] the leather [including the rare leather dash] to match the carpet kit. If I had to do it all again, I'd have had it done in black...I really don't care for the color scheme, since I prefer greys, whites, silvers, and blacks on cars.

Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed

Nicole

Are you saying that yours is an original leather dash, that's just "re-painted"? No shrinking in the leather? Or did the guy replace some of the dash leather at the same time?

Normy

In an attempt at building a complete set of records for this car, I've tracked it back to its original owner. I think that this is indeed the original dash. At least none of the previous owners said anything about replacing it.

There is no warpage the way that Aaron described. There is one place on the dashboard, just above the left end of the glove box, where it is obvious that the glue underneath has released, but you have to look carefully to see it and it would be way too much hassle to fix!

Sadly, despite my care, the interior carpets are starting to get some wear and tear, and could use a cleaning. The problem is, after you clean these carpets, the color is not the same. I wish I had done black just for this reason!

Oh well- <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed

AaronE

Well, I kinda feel like an idiot. I went to an upholstery shop today (for the seats which are in pathetic condition) and as an aside asked him his opinion on the dash. As he very correctly points out, it is plastic. I just assumed it was leather considering *everything* else in the car is.

So I guess the question is now this: Anyone know how to warp plastic back into place?

-Aaron

PS. Nicole, I'm not sure. I just got my 928 a couple months ago, and it's QUITE the ugly duckling. I'm mildly surprised it even runs. I've found info on SITP 2001 & 2002, but nothing about this year's event.

Cobey

Here you go Aaron:

<a href="http://www.billsworkshop.com/P928S4/park/sitp3.htm" target="_blank">http://www.billsworkshop.com/P928S4/park/sitp3.htm</a>

MichaelR

Aaron, are you sure there isn't a plastic cap on the dash, on top of the leather? That's the way mine came (thanks to PO).

Joe '87 S4

My glove box was warped like that ...along with a cracked dash and pod and torn seats, etc.. I don't think the dash can be fixed in that condition. I had almost my whole interior replaced with used parts from Devek. Like Nicole said, talk to George at Devek.