Binnacle rattling/bouncing and interior trim piece warped

[Boxbot]

My binnacle has always bounced/vibrated up and down on bumps. I recently had it apart to install new speedo cable and tightened the four bolts down under the dash and installed rubber washers behind the metal washers, but it's still doing it. I don't see any way to move the knee pads up, but I can force the binnacle and fiberglass up about a half-inch by hand to separate it from the knee pads. The fiberglass just seems to have some play in it - but no cracks that I see. I was going to stuff some sort of black material in there to keep it from doing this. Any thoughts?

Also, the black plastic trim around the inside of the binnacle is bowed in from the exterior on the top and bottom. I've tried Gorilla glue and clamps with no results. Anyone know how to reattach? The exterior of the binnacle is mint, so I didn't want to recover. Thanks.

[MikeWard]

The binnacle has 6 studs/nuts which hold it in place. If you only have 4 then it's possible they have been broken off by a previous owner.

[David T]

Refer to Service Bulletin ST-14-9/81 SA-0004 to "firm up" the instrument cluster housing. To fix the plastic you have to use a glue that won't loosen under heat. Try contact cement. You should heat up and straighten the plastic first.

[Boxbot]

Hmmmm...

Anyone have a photo of the underside so I can see what I'm missing? This isn't an early model/late model difference is it?

[MikeWard]

Here you go:
binnacle.jpg

Two studs on the binnacle, and then another 4 studs across the the three brackets, 106627, 106625 and 106623

[Delorean Industries]

Broken binnacle mount bracket studs? Not a problem! All brackets manufactured from 304 stainless with mounting hardware listed below.

https://deloreanindustries.com/3-bin...ter-stainless/

https://deloreanindustries.com/2-bin...eft-stainless/

https://deloreanindustries.com/2-bin...ght-stainless/

https://deloreanindustries.com/5-bin...ket-stainless/

[Boxbot]

I am really not looking forward to getting back in that tight space upside down to see where the issue is. I don't remember seeing the bottom two more narrowly set screws on the removed binnacle. I hope the plastic wasn't snapped off.

I believe I have all TSBs in a binder and will look that info up.

Thanks, all.

[David T]

The best way to work underneath the dash is to remove the seat. 4 nuts and it lifts out. Then you can crawl in and lay on your back. Plenty of room. For lighting use a short piece of rope lighting.

[iflights]

The best way to work underneath the dash is to remove the seat. 4 nuts and it lifts out. Then you can crawl in and lay on your back. Plenty of room. For lighting use a short piece of rope lighting.

A little extra work to do this, but so highly recommended!!!!!

[eight8toy]

The binnacle is fairly easy to remove, don't need to take out the seat if you are nimble enough.

I had some squeaks in mine as well as the middle dash section and ended up using some of those soft furniture/chair leg pads and stuck them between the two surfaces. I found some grey colored ones that matched the dash and shoved them down out of sight which really helped quiet my cabin.