Binnacle Fitting Problem

[DMC1983]

A couple years back, I had my dash and binnacle recovered. When I put the binnacle back in, fitting it to the correct angle became a problem... leaving the face a bit "slumped." The issue I seemed to have was getting the rear two studs to come through the drilled holes. The reach wasn't long enough to come through, even after trying to force it. My question is: is it possible to replace the two studs with a longer reach? Or am I just SOL?

[TTait]

You could get coupling nuts (see below), but I suspect the studs aren't quite lining up anymore and aren't actually going through the holes. After mine was recovered (DMCCA) I had to drill the holes out a little. (BTW - I first thought they were too short, just as you do now).

Also, try setting the rear screws (closest to the front of the car) first, so you can see under the binnacle. Have a long standard screwdriver in hand to press the studs back a bit if needed. Once they are through, put on washers and just start the nuts, then pivot the binnacle down and get the front holes to line up. If nothing else you will be able to see if and how the studs and holes line up in case you have to drill it out a little to elongate the holes.

It seems really unlikely that the studs aren't long enough, but the coupling nuts can be found on ebay and are often called spacers there. This came up with extending the speaker mounting studs, which use 4mm coupling nuts (if needed).

I do not know if these are 4mm or 5 or ??? but to find the 4mm studs on ebay you search for "m4 spacer" - if they are 7mm try m7 spacer, and so on.

Tom

[DMC1983]

You could get coupling nuts (see below), but I suspect the studs aren't quite lining up anymore and aren't actually going through the holes. After mine was recovered (DMCCA) I had to drill the holes out a little. (BTW - I first thought they were too short, just as you do now).

Also, try setting the rear screws (closest to the front of the car) first, so you can see under the binnacle. Have a long standard screwdriver in hand to press the studs back a bit if needed. Once they are through, put on washers and just start the nuts, then pivot the binnacle down and get the front holes to line up. If nothing else you will be able to see if and how the studs and holes line up in case you have to drill it out a little to elongate the holes.

It seems really unlikely that the studs aren't long enough, but the coupling nuts can be found on ebay and are often called spacers there. This came up with extending the speaker mounting studs, which use 4mm coupling nuts (if needed).

I do not know if these are 4mm or 5 or ??? but to find the 4mm studs on ebay you search for "m4 spacer" - if they are 7mm try m7 spacer, and so on.

Tom

Ah, coupling nuts! Excellent. I'll have to pick up a set today and give it a try.

[TTait]

They will be a little hard to find locally I'll bet.