I made  a web page about doing this and more to my instrument
cluster:  www.snurl.com/vanagon

Edward

At 10:37 AM 4/26/2007, JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
>In a message dated 4/26/07 2:29:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
>colorworks@GCI.NET writes:
>
>
> > Sounds like a great idea Keith. That JB weld is amazing stuff. Mike Collum
> > e-mailed me and also gave me a great suggestion, which was to glue a
> > screw, technically a bolt, in place with JB Weld, essentially making a
> > stud, and then putting a nut on top. Fortunately, there seem to be just
> > enough plastic left to use a longer sheet-metal screw. I used a brass
> > bushing (imagine a straw made out a brass) that slipped over the screw to
> > take up the slack, and support the corners. It seems to be pretty stable,
> > and certainly much stronger than hot melt glue on the flat sections.
> >
> >
>
>i used Devcon brand "plastic welder"  to fix the cracked screw bosses in the
>instrument cluster housing.
>
>nearly all vanagon instument clusters are going to have some of the screw
>bosses cracked where the speedometer or tach screws into the back of the
>instrument cluster housing.  after 15-25 years, its inevitable.
>
>i remove the speedo or tach,  and remove the screws.
>
>then i coat the screw lightly with grease - not too much.. then wipe the
>excess off.  i also coat the edge/lip of the speedo or tach with
>grease where it
>will come in contact with the plastic welder epoxy then wipe the
>excess off.  i
>do this so it wont stick.
>
>then i clean the cracked screw bosses..and use black electrical tape, to
>build a "form" or "mold" to hold the epoxy.
>
>i then mix up the plastic welder epoxy, and spread into damaged areas,
>building it up  where the plastic once was.
>
>then i reinstall the speedo or tach, and lightly run the screws in by finger
>pressure.
>
>once dried, you will be able to remove the screws..
>
>chris
>
>
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