[jchemotti]

I have found at least 7 of these aluminum backplates, mostly in the sidepockets of the hull...I'm thinking they might be anchors to secure the dash...??? which is sounding pretty rattly...

[mikeyt]

That's what they are. Reinstalling them can be a real pita too cuz they are difficult to reach & if you overtighten you will crack the dash attachment points.......which kinda sounds like what has already happened... :-(

[jchemotti]

Thanks Mikey, I can always count on you to know what's going on...so, it occured to me that I'd have to get under the dash, but what's the key to doing a good job? And, do I look for pre-drilled holes in the underside of the dash form, or do they connect to something else?
As in most of life, pita seems to be the operating mode...

[mikeyt]

hi Jan,

I did this job back when i bought my boat in 2006 so my memory is a bit fuzzy (other than the pita part) of what exactly i had to do. I seem to remember finding those little plates & then reaching up underneath my dash & feeling the attachment bolts hanging loose. I can't remember whether or not i was able to see what i was doing but since i'm working on my boat tomorrow (trying to fix the trim motor) i'll have a look & let you know what i find.

[mikeyt]

hi Jan,

Had a look and took a couple of photos on the passenger side up behind the glove box. There is a captive nut inside the hole in the pic where a bolt or stud would go and then the backing plate & a nut. Now that i've seen it again, i didn't reinstall those backing plates. Instead i loosed off the dash and installed some rubber stripping to get rid of the rattle.

[jchemotti]

Ahhh...thanks for the information...this looks like a maximum pita effort, but I'll give it a shot...did you get the rubber stripping from a weatherstripping section in the store?

[mikeyt]

Originally Posted by jchemotti

Ahhh...thanks for the information...this looks like a maximum pita effort, but I'll give it a shot...did you get the rubber stripping from a weatherstripping section in the store?

Yep.

[mikeyt]

hi Jan,

I just remembered this thread by Klattu that shows how those backing bars are installed.