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Brought my airbag for the recall and a few weeks later the dash started this.

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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 05:17 PM
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thewatcher101's Avatar
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Brought my airbag for the recall and a few weeks later the dash started this.

Does replacing the airbag on the passenger side effect the dashboard, where removing it causes the dash to flex.

Or is my dash just going and it has nothing to do with the work that was perform.


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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 08:59 AM
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Coincidence. This happens to all 8's
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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 09:26 AM
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^ This.
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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 09:42 AM
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If you RX8 is parked outside it happens more often as the sun's heat and cycles of heat and cold over time degrades the dash. It seems not to happen so often for RX8's that are garaged and/or covered. Just the info from my local dealership that has replaced more than a few of these.

Also not a good idea to use any protectants like Armourall on the dash, as they also can degrade the dash material over time.

Last edited by gwilliams6; Dec 15, 2016 at 09:48 AM.
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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 09:53 AM
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My car has been garaged it's whole life and when I do drove it, I have covered parking at work and use a sun shade. I don't use amorall or any of that crap either. It just happens over time, there is no way to prevent it, I have seen it happen on many garage queens.
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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 12:34 PM
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Probably just going to have an upholsterer re-vinyl mine for like $100.
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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 01:47 PM
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Yeah we have had a few locals do that, looks okay. I was bragging because mine had not done it yet and then it went full retard in couple of month span,

I plan to wrap mine in alcantara.
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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
I plan to wrap mine in alcantara.
Interesting idea... how will that work with the airbag, or do you care? I would think it would have a hard time punching through.
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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by reddozen
Interesting idea... how will that work with the airbag, or do you care? I would think it would have a hard time punching through.
My understanding is that passenger side airbags deploy to the windshield first, so timing isn't AS important as the steering wheel bag. Here's a guy who had a shop do it on his Lotus steering wheel. . . though, apparently, you just need to score some areas to allow the bag to break through.

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/custom-oem-elise-steering-wheel-check-out-w-pics-97939/#/topics/97939?page=1&_k=rkqf5y

My issue has been finding ANY local upholsterer willing to cover an airbag panel.

Last edited by rotorbrain; Dec 15, 2016 at 07:06 PM.
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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 06:23 AM
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Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
My car has been garaged it's whole life and when I do drove it, I have covered parking at work and use a sun shade. I don't use amorall or any of that crap either. It just happens over time, there is no way to prevent it, I have seen it happen on many garage queens.
Hey 9krpmrx8, I don't doubt your personal experiences in the Texas climate. In my dealership's experience here in New Jersey, the dashs they had to replace mostly came on cars that were parked outside. Seems our hot summers to very cold winter temps. cycles accelerates the deterioration process over time. And yes I had read,in other automotive discussions ,that the ingredients in Armourall, and the like, can inadvertently lead to cracks.

one quote:
"posts in various newsgroups that say Armour All is no good and causes
damage to the dash and other plastic parts. I recall one note saying the reason it can cause the dash to crack and split
is that it seals the surface and does not let it "breathe".

Last edited by gwilliams6; Dec 16, 2016 at 08:32 AM.
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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 11:47 AM
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Nah, my buddy bought a brand new one a year ago and you can already see the lines where it will start to crack. It's just a shitty design, my Integra GSR has had 18 Texas summers and there is not a single crack on the dash or air bag cover. Same with my daughters 21 year old Accord.
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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 06:12 PM
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No lines yet on my 2008 RX8 dash. Car is garaged. Obviously the materials are substandard for the design and conditions, we can agree on that. But around here the garaged RX8s seem to last longer without cracks.

Last edited by gwilliams6; Dec 16, 2016 at 06:15 PM.
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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 07:13 PM
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if that ever happens to mine i'm gonna flock it

Last edited by ZiG; Dec 16, 2016 at 07:16 PM.
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Old Dec 20, 2016 | 11:04 AM
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Dash cracks on the air bag cover are very annoying. Out of the three RX-8's that I own, two have the passenger side air bag cracking. Just be glad you don't own a Porsche 944.. My 85 944's dash looks terrible and has multiple cracks. A very poor display of materials indeed. Luckily the air bag cover is easy to replace and doesn't require removing the entire dash for repair.
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