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YokoLS1
08-23-2005, 10:09 PM
I noticed my dash was cracked about 6 inches today on the plastic part closest to the windshield. It's not cracked on the softer part by the air conditioning vents, but further back as I said.

What causes this? I protect with Meguiars products only and I think it just happened today. Nothing out of the ordinary happened to my knowledge.

The car is a 2000.

It was about 105 degrees today, easily the hottest it's been so far and the car was parked outside for about 5 hours in direct sunlight. Could it have cracked because it go so hot? I don't think so, but it seems like a possibility. Perhaps the heat coupled with the plastic becoming brittle over time caused it.

Any idea how much this costs to replace or if there is a "fix" for it? I wouldn't think you could fix it.

Thanks.
blue02formula
08-23-2005, 10:18 PM
I had same thing happen to my interior door panel. I can only guess since mine wasn't hit or cut, that it is a flow line in the plastic and as the plastic dried out some it became more brittle and split in the area of the flow line.:mad:
smiley
08-24-2005, 03:36 AM
the door panels are know to crack. i think there was even a tsb released on that issue.

the dash - you are only the second (maybe third) i've ever seen post about a cracked dash! maybe you just got a bad piece of plastic on yours :( the 4th gen cars are really good about the dash not cracking (at least so far). sorry man - guess you'll need to find a replacement.
1MORE
08-24-2005, 09:10 AM
you have to replace it, and the part isn't too cheap. sorry.


when you get the old one off, you'll notice it is very very brittle. its a wonder they dont break more often.
1MORE
08-24-2005, 09:13 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-02-Camaro-Firebird-LS1-upper-plastic-dash-pad-black_W0QQitemZ7994552123QQcategoryZ40017QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIte m

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-02-Camaro-Firebird-LS1-upper-plastic-dash-pad-BLACK_W0QQitemZ7994521778QQcategoryZ40017QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIte m




those are GREAT prices too.

i bought mine about 2 months ago, and i was watchng them stay around $100 or so.

nevermind, the internet is smarter than i am tonight...

:D
blue02formula
08-24-2005, 04:19 PM
I can't find a taupe door panel for the passenger side. I bought a tan one but it don't match I may paint it to match if I can't find one in taupe. The dealer up the street (Pace Pontiac) said it would be about $550.:(
Soul TKR
08-24-2005, 04:59 PM
Originally posted by blue02formula
I can't find a taupe door panel for the passenger side. I bought a tan one but it don't match I may paint it to match if I can't find one in taupe. The dealer up the street (Pace Pontiac) said it would be about $550.:(

yea that's crap... both my door panels are cracked also... over 1k for a couple door panels is RIDICULOUS!!!!! :rolleyes:
YokoLS1
08-24-2005, 08:16 PM
Well, it's going to stay cracked. It won't even be noticeable unless it gets worse.
YokoLS1
08-26-2005, 05:20 PM
Is there any kind of platic filler compound available that would at least stop it from getting worse?

There has to be something...
Soul TKR
08-26-2005, 06:58 PM
Mine has gotten so bad on my doors that the crack is actually all the way down to the leather section :rolleyes:

i've been keeping a good eye on E-bay for some replacements...
blue02formula
08-27-2005, 03:31 AM
Originally posted by Soul TKR
Mine has gotten so bad on my doors that the crack is actually all the way down to the leather section :rolleyes:

i've been keeping a good eye on E-bay for some replacements...

I've been looking and have seen black and gray with leather, I need taupe. I have a tan one I found on Ebay but it would need painted and I could switch the inserts. What color is yours and I'll let you know if I see one?
YokoLS1
08-27-2005, 05:17 AM
You know what?

I love my car, but I'm not going to try to keep it perfect anymore.

It's a 2000, so it just had its 6th birthday. That's pretty old and it still looks good inside and out for the most part.
wu6fiend
08-27-2005, 07:49 AM
My friend's near perfect condition 2001 TA Firehawk developed this crack in the dashboard, on the passenger side, near the windshield. I think he discovered that underneath the crack area, there is a bracket or something, that puts stress on the plastic part, that over time results in the crack. His was replaced under warranty.

The dash on my 1999 TA Firehawk is still fine, but I can see a tiny, hairline crack starting on the driver's side door panel, about 2" from the edge of the door. Its too small for just about anyone to notice yet.

My car is far from perfect (its a daily driver 24/7 in all weather), so I'm not going to worry about it.