My Dash is loose (gauge cluster)

The gauge-pod is held on by two screws in each of the lower corners and a single large lip at the top edge. My guess is that the gauge pod came out of the top lip. Once you remove the two screws it should be quite simple. Be careful with the screws around the leather and other materials, putting the screws back in can also be quite tricky but steady hand and patients should get it done.

 

You can simply remove the two Phillips screws to confirm if it is secured at the front or not. I don't recall clearly when I had mine off, but believe their is a metal tab or bit that slides under the front of the dash. The other issue is the binacle or gauge cluster as you call it, can warp slightly. I have seen it on several 355's, so is not uncommon. You can make or use some black leather or black tubing to "sandwich" in the space to make the gap less noticeable.

 

Reg:

I had the same thing happen to my 355. I would highly recommend getting it tightened down ASAP. My speedo would have fits when it was rattling.

 

Yes it will free up. Lift in a vertical motion rather than towards yourself.... it will prevent damaging the leather.

 

It really shouldn't be that hard, might want to bring a flashlight. Good lighting will help when putting back the screws.

 

I just fixed this recently on mine. If you want to fix it properly you'll have to remove the two bottom screws that secure the gauge cluster to the dash. Then carefully tilt back slightly and lift off the gauge cluster. From there you "should" disconnect the wiring and remove the cluster completely so you have more room to work without damaging the leather.

The metal lip is held on to the dash with two small phillips screws. It's basically a peice of sheet metal bent into an L. There is some adjustment available. You can loosen the screws and move the lip toward the windshield and retighten or, if for some reason it is bent and that's what's causing your gap, you can take it off like I did, and use your method of choice to bend it.

Becarefull when you reinstall the screws. They're small, visibility is limited, and no matter what you do the steering wheel is always in the way. You don't want one of them falling in the dash where you'll never find it again.

Dispite what I said, overall it's an easy fix.

 

Solution: reduce speed to 70 knots when approaching a kerb.

 

It has been a long time but:

I had the same problem and it originated with the metal clip being installed upside down. If it is upside down it will push the pod up off the dash just like yours. With time the pod will assume a distorted shape and the only solution is to replace it.

I would pull it off again and flip the clip over and replace the pod thereafter.

ken

 

Oops. My bad. Mine was the same - 2 mini studs coming from the dash and two nuts. I also put a bit of lock-tite on the nuts so they wouldn't back out.

 

I'm having this issue also

Can anybody post some pictures?

 

Here's how mine is now

I also asked Ferrari if they have a fix for it and they quoted it needs a recover for $1250!!!

I'll try to do this fix and many others first.
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Kurt, in this photo you can see the one nylon screw block in the metal frame on right side of steering wheel, the other is on left. Those 2 screws and the center hook are all that hold the pod in.

Adjustments can be made the often better or fix the situation but sometimes the pod fiberglass shell is distorted and you can only get it so good.
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Kurt, it's hard to see from you photo but recoving the pod is needed only if leather has pulled. The gap from pod to dash is different.

If you need your pod recovered, send it to Johann at Coachtrim in CT. Tell him I sent you. It will be a few hundred.

 

Thanks so much Dave. I'll try it out.

My leather is in great shape it's just that gap that's bothering me.

 

Kurt, the hook on the dash side is screwed on. You can losen it and try to get some more pull out of it.

 

Removed screws and pod and tried resetting top on metal bracket. Same results. I guess I'll try putting a filler or something in as mentioned.

I'm glad I did check it because whomever worked on in the past used an incorrect screw on one side.

Ok
Back to regular schedule programming.

 

Kurt,

I had the same problem. I fixed it by removing the pod from the car. Then pealed up the leather around the front of the pod and added some fiberglass resin to add a bit of length to the fiberglass substrate where there was a gap and temporarily wrapped the leather back with double sided tape and "dry fit" it to the dash. My first attempt was not quite right. A bit too much in one place but not enough in another. Took it back off and filed off the extra and added a bit more to the other. Refitted it again and it was now perfect. Took it back off and permanently re-glued the leather back with some contact cement.

Wallah!! It is now a perfect fit just like it was (or should have been) originally!! Cost? Since I already had the resin and tape....nothing!!

 

By the way, if your pod leather is cracked, has severely shrunk or has turned brittle, this may not work. In my case, the leather was supple and had enough extra length to do it.