Lincoln MKZ Warped Dash Repair

[diehardgator1]

A Dealer who purchased 2008 MKZ with a warped dash. The dash had at least 12 to 14 inches come loose at def vent and looked like a seagull taking off. Purchased on the internet a small bottle of loctite 410 instant adhesive. This stuff is expensive about $34.00 for small bottle but worth its weight in gold. It is a black glue the bottle has a long applicator tip. I was able to turn bottle side ways insert tip under the raised dash Be very careful as it sets up immediately. Took a pop cycile stick to spread it out push dash forward layed some books on it and you would not believe the results All hell could not pull it apart now looks as good as factory Wish I had some before and after pictures Be careful not to get on you or other part of the dash Did leave books on overnight. Put the new grill on and was flabbergasted at the great results Try it you will like it

 

[C Krohn]

That's great as long as you don't need to remove it. BTW, I had an '08 MKZ. Never had the problem.

 

[FuzzelFox]

I may have to try this. On my 07 the dash has come up about an inch or so which has made the vent pop off. It doesn't really bother me but I wouldn't mind it being set correctly.

 

[lildoggy]

My 2007 dash warped at the defroster vent also. Its resulted in my defrost air being re-directed to the wrong areas of my windshield. I attempted to glue the vent to the dash to hold it in place but the warp actually caused the vent to break in half since the hold was too good. I can feel the sub dash underneath the vinyl/leatherette dash. I plan to glue it down onto that hoping that yea, I'll never have to pull that dash especially to get to the temperature sensor thats placed behind the dash against the firewall (thanks engineers). Since I have the factory manual, I'm gonna see just how difficulkt it would be to take that dash off then try to straighten it with something from the backside. Anybody pulled their dash? BTW, checking the car graveyard, I found plenty of MKZ's but they all have the same problem. Lincoln?

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[woebegoneMKZowner]

That's great as long as you don't need to remove it. BTW, I had an '08 MKZ. Never had the problem.

You were lucky ! You should see the dash on my 2008 MKZ -- the covering has rose up enough so that the plastic defroster vent has broken in THREE pieces ! Ford/Lincoln should be real proud !

 

[woebegoneMKZowner]

You were lucky ! You should see the dash on my 2008 MKZ -- the covering has rose up enough so that the plastic defroster vent has broken in THREE pieces ! Ford/Lincoln should be real proud !

 

[woebegoneMKZowner]

Hopefully I've had the warped dash problem resolved at the dealers...I wanted it glued and screwed, but they did not want to glue it. They flattened it back to its original state, installed (5) screws and the new defroster cover. The screws are color matched and everything looks great. How long will it last ? They seem to think it will be ok. I have my doubts, but well worth a try. (Anyone wanting to try this, be forewarned... they said there was a chance of breaking the windshield in the process.)

 

[woebegoneMKZowner]

Hopefully I've had the warped dash problem resolved at the dealers...I wanted it glued and screwed, but they did not want to glue it. They flattened it back to its original state, installed (5) screws and the new defroster cover. The screws are color matched and everything looks great. How long will it last ? They seem to think it will be ok. I have my doubts, but well worth a try. (Anyone wanting to try this, be forewarned... they said there was a chance of breaking the windshield in the process.)

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[woebegoneMKZowner]

Well, the above fix didn't last long ! One end of the defroster vent started to lift after a week. Worse yet, now the dash covering has started to lift where it meets the windshield. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated !

 

[woebegoneMKZowner]

Had an additional screw added to the above (5) originally installed in front of the new vent about 3 weeks ago-- So far, so good. Sides haven't lifted any more (yet anyway). Bought some gas pressure tubing in both the 5/8" and 1/4" sizes to force between windshield and dash if that part starts to lift any more.

 

[Brakford]

I am dealing with this now on my 07. Do you have any pics of what was done? I am tempted to glue it down but.......

 

[woebegoneMKZowner]

I am dealing with this now on my 07. Do you have any pics of what was done? I am tempted to glue it down but.......

No,I don't have photos, they put a total of (6) screws along the edge of the plastic vent piece (the edge that faces you as you sit in the car). They were small dark screws that had washers that seem to catch the edge of the plastic vent. They said there's a danger of breaking the windshield in the process, so be careful if you try it. Be sure you do it and keep the car in a warm environment...they told me that the screws would hold things down and give things time to re-mold. So far so good, but the weather here has been cool lately. I also bought the gas pressure hose described above in case what has started to lift on the outside edges. GOOD LUCK !

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[Project2019**]

A Dealer who purchased 2008 MKZ with a warped dash. The dash had at least 12 to 14 inches come loose at def vent and looked like a seagull taking off. Purchased on the internet a small bottle of loctite 410 instant adhesive. This stuff is expensive about $34.00 for small bottle but worth its weight in gold. It is a black glue the bottle has a long applicator tip. I was able to turn bottle side ways insert tip under the raised dash Be very careful as it sets up immediately. Took a pop cycile stick to spread it out push dash forward layed some books on it and you would not believe the results All hell could not pull it apart now looks as good as factory Wish I had some before and after pictures Be careful not to get on you or other part of the dash Did leave books on overnight. Put the new grill on and was flabbergasted at the great results Try it you will like it

Where do you live and if I paid you could you fix my 2007 Lincoln Zephyr that has the same warp you had!!

 

[G-659350]

A Dealer who purchased 2008 MKZ with a warped dash. The dash had at least 12 to 14 inches come loose at def vent and looked like a seagull taking off. Purchased on the internet a small bottle of loctite 410 instant adhesive. This stuff is expensive about $34.00 for small bottle but worth its weight in gold. It is a black glue the bottle has a long applicator tip. I was able to turn bottle side ways insert tip under the raised dash Be very careful as it sets up immediately. Took a pop cycile stick to spread it out push dash forward layed some books on it and you would not believe the results All hell could not pull it apart now looks as good as factory Wish I had some before and after pictures Be careful not to get on you or other part of the dash Did leave books on overnight. Put the new grill on and was flabbergasted at the great results Try it you will like it

How did you do it being the warped part is so close to windshield??I have the same problem on my 2006 Lincoln Zephyr.Anymore tips would be much appreciated!!

 

[G-339654]

You were lucky ! You should see the dash on my 2008 MKZ -- the covering has rose up enough so that the plastic defroster vent has broken in THREE pieces ! Ford/Lincoln should be real proud !

Mine has done the same!

 

[G-163718]

No,I don't have photos, they put a total of (6) screws along the edge of the plastic vent piece (the edge that faces you as you sit in the car). They were small dark screws that had washers that seem to catch the edge of the plastic vent. They said there's a danger of breaking the windshield in the process, so be careful if you try it. Be sure you do it and keep the car in a warm environment...they told me that the screws would hold things down and give things time to re-mold. So far so good, but the weather here has been cool lately. I also bought the gas pressure hose described above in case what has started to lift on the outside edges. GOOD LUCK !

HAPPY to say, the above fix has worked - the dash survived the summer's heat ! I did use a windshield cover all summer, (something I would do on future cars) and on really hot days tried to put the car under a tree & and cracked the windows open a little bit. Worth doing, but be careful not to crack the windshield. Good Luck !

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[woebegoneMKZowner]

Check my last posts where I described how I had the dealer's body man screw a new defroster vent cover down. He first used 5 screws. Shortly after, one edge started to lift and I had him add one more screw (where they should have put it in the first place) making a total of 6 screws. I had wanted him to glue it down as well , but he wouldn't, that saying it would be problematic if the dash ever had to be removed.
I faithfully used an aluminum windshield cover all summer,and even laid insulated shopping bags over the vent cover for good measure. (Probably will continue doing both for a while yet). On really hot days I parked under trees whenever possible. It survived the hot upstate NY summer very well ! It was done with no guarantee. However, I wasn't about to spend four grand on a 2008 car ! The mechanic mentioned that there was a slight possibility of breaking the windshield given the limited room to work but I was willing to gamble it. He used a screw with an attached washer which caught the edge on the plastic vent cover. Everything turned out fine and looks perfectly ok. (I figured if it didn't I could always buy a dash cover.)

 

[mommygina808]

A Dealer who purchased 2008 MKZ with a warped dash. The dash had at least 12 to 14 inches come loose at def vent and looked like a seagull taking off. Purchased on the internet a small bottle of loctite 410 instant adhesive. This stuff is expensive about $34.00 for small bottle but worth its weight in gold. It is a black glue the bottle has a long applicator tip. I was able to turn bottle side ways insert tip under the raised dash Be very careful as it sets up immediately. Took a pop cycile stick to spread it out push dash forward layed some books on it and you would not believe the results All hell could not pull it apart now looks as good as factory Wish I had some before and after pictures Be careful not to get on you or other part of the dash Did leave books on overnight. Put the new grill on and was flabbergasted at the great results Try it you will like it

Curious if your glue lasted the last two years since you fixed it. My MKZ has the same issue and it's making me very frustrated. Luxury car, yet it has this poor quality? Just this week I spent $500 on a faulty door lock and cable.

 

[G-476314]

I bought (20 dollars) lock on amazon and will install myself but ford should make a recall On that lock.

 

[G-4653]

You were lucky ! You should see the dash on my 2008 MKZ -- the covering has rose up enough so that the plastic defroster vent has broken in THREE pieces ! Ford/Lincoln should be real proud !

I have a 2006 Lincoln zephyr that's done the same thing.