Is WD-40 Evil

[myfirst124]

Could fumes from WD-40 cause My dash board to warp. Or could it be ArmorAll. After sraying My pedal linkages, I found my dash no longer fits flush at the base near the windscreen, l'm once again stymied. And while I;m at it is there a proven way to re shape the dash...I thought blow dryer (mild heat) but I don't want to make it worse...All comments welcome and Thanks again....Mike (My 1978 is like an onion, many many layers and sometimes they stink) PS Last Saturday in PDX was 78 degrees and sunny and the 124 ran like a top all day

[Foster48x]

I'm pretty sure it wasn't the fumes from WD-40. Do you have an original dash or does your dash have a cap on it?

Rick

[myfirst124]

to foster: Its an original '78, I had the gaugecluster out to fix the speedo,could it have been a missed placed heater hose? PS I saw those caps on EBay are they overlays or replacements...just asking...thanks Mike

[Foster48x]

Mike,
It's not likely that your dash warped overnight. Its probably been that way for a while. If you recently pulled the gauge cluster you may have just pulled the top of the dash out past the rubber weather stripping along the inside bottom of the windshield. First check to see if the dash is loose. If it moves back and forth enough to come out from underneath the weather stripping then you'll need to put it back in place and tighten the mounting bolts under the dash.

There are 4 mounting points for the dash, 2 on the far left and right side under the front bottom lip of the dash and two way up under the front inside top of the dash on either side of the heater box. The 2 on either side of the heater box are the ones that would cause the top of the dash to sag forward. If you find that this is your problem it's an easy fix just a little bit of a pain in the butt to without a helper. When I put mine back in I had my kids push on the front of the dash while I tightened the mounting screws... you'll see what I'm talking about if you have to do it.

The ones you probably saw on ebay are caps that go over the original dash. I put one on mine and it came out looking really nice you just have to take the time to do it right or it will come out looking cheap. I think Mark (socalmark) is still offering a nice full replacement dash if your willing to spend the extra dollars.

Good luck!
Rick

[myfirst124]

Rick: thank You for that detailed, and as far as I can tell, accurate assesment on the problem, I love this forum, as I have to get some other projects done this week(read:GO TO WORK) it may be a while before I write back But thanks in advance and I do bet that WD-40 is not evil at all....Mike

[Fiat88]

Nah...WD-40 is your friend!

[narfire]

Nah...WD-40 is your friend

When my kid was younger, I could never keep the stuff around for very long.... Evidently made great propelant for his potato gun

[zachmac]

WD-40 and Duct tape are the solutions to all of life's problems. If it doesn't move but should apply the WD-40. If it moves but shouldn't, apply the duct tape.