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MG MGF Technical - cowl removal

how do I remove the three self tappers which hold the
cowl to the dash,has the three tabs into which these screws fit have broken off,can any help me out ,

thanks joe
mgf joe

Hi Joe,

I have the same problem, there is a lot of information in the archive about this. Poor design means that it is not possible to easily remove these screws without removing the dash board (a big job).I am about to go to an Automotive accessory outlet to see if I can buy some glue to stick the cowl back in place without removing it. Someone posted that silicone does the job, I am hoping to find something stronger to cement the thing together in the form of a Black adhesive that will not be too obvious.

Cheers
A.J. Mackew

well I thought of that too,but you may find that silicon may not adhere to the plastic dash,but keep in touch and let me know how you get on many thanks joe
mgf joe

I performed exactly this repair over the weekend, and took photos - so I ought to put together a 'how to' shortly!

In terms of adhesive, someone (I don't know who, but have suspicions!) has repaired the cowl already, using what looked to be superglue. It was hopeless and broke apart very quickly.

I don't think that silicone will do the job either - but am happy to be disproven.

I used two-pack epoxy resin. It appears to have done the job, and time will tell if it is permanent. But I have confidence :o)

If you look in the archives, you'll find an article written by Branko whereby he melted the plastic back together using a soldering iron - so this is a job that can be tackled in a multitude of ways! :o)
Rob Bell

I repaired mine 12 months ago, bedding the cowl into silicone, ( see http://www.apttony.co.uk/Servicing/InstrumentCowl.html ) but I have to report that it has recently come loose again, so it's obviously not a guaranteed permanent fix. Have to think of another approach.

Tony
Tony

Removal is possible with a lot of patience and different small grippers.

I think Tony said this earlier and I followed successful for just the bolts removal.
http://www.mgfcar.de/dash/cowl_bolt_reverse_DSC01066.JPG
http://www.mgfcar.de/dash/cowl_DSC01068.JPG

btw. took me more then one hour, and a damaged gripper to garbage !! Finally for nothing but fun.
Dieter

LOL - glad I decided to use epoxy then Dieter! ;o)
Rob Bell

Put what I did to repair the instrument cowl here: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/interior/cowel_repair/index.htm
Rob Bell

This may be of help.

http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&mode=archiveth&subject=69&subjectar=69&thread=2005021310000626249

Cheers,
Branko
Branko

I don,t know if this is of any use but the strongest adheshive i have ever used is aquarium sealent. I have made many fish tanks over the years from perspex as well as glass. The last tank i made held 88 gallons of water (not far off a ton of weight ) . The sealent is design to with stand this as well as the varying pressures of emty tank , full tank water fills if you know what i mean. I have used this to repair my rear window and for other jobs at home and at work and it always performs where standard silicone fails. The only down side is that it takes from memory 6 hours to set and has a very strong odour like vinager untill it has set.
hope this helps
MEL..
m e johnson

I also stuck a alloy tax disc holder on to my windscreen as the pads supplied did not work. It sticks that fast that the only way i could remove it was by cutting the adheshive with a stanley knife blade .
m e johnson

This thread was discussed between 19/04/2006 and 27/04/2006

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