Creaking dashboard

Over reasonable roads but certainly not smooth there is an infuriating “creak” from the dashboard. Has anyone had this problem and resolved it?
If I take the central vent louvres out and feel around (and force some rubber washers between accessible contact areas) it is clear that the heating vent ducting modded in GRP is rubbing around the top but even more so at the sides. With temporary packing over the top of the air vent and pressing on the dash the creaking is reduced but not cured.
Is there any known means to adjust the position of the ducting or dashboard to relieve that situation?

Now the second problem. Having pressed firmly on the dashboard (from the passenger seat) whilst underway yesterday evening I now see that I have pressed the cover to what might in other circumstances be the passenger air bag (no such warning on this cover piece) is there a simple way to pull that semi oval piece back out a mm or two? It seems very resistant to movement.

Delbourt wrote:

Now the second problem. Having pressed firmly on the dashboard (from the passenger seat) whilst underway yesterday evening I now see that I have pressed the cover to what might in other circumstances be the passenger air bag (no such warning on this cover piece) is there a simple way to pull that semi oval piece back out a mm or two? It seems very resistant to movement.

Most of the covers I have seen seem to sit a few millimeters recessed compared to the surface of the dashboard, but they're quite easy to remove, so that's probably the first step if you want to see if you can pack it out a little.

There are clips along the bottom of the panel, so first thing to do is to use a trim removal tool or similar to pry the bottom edge of the panel out from the dash. Once that is done, the panel needs to be pulled downwards, as there are metal clips along the top edge that hook in behind the dash.

That area can be turned into a useful cubby if you dont have a passenger airbag

I thought I had posted further on this. So here it is again.
The concept of an air bag is a positive attribute in my view. And as far as Im aware there should be a symbol indicating that the device is fitted behind that panel.
In my case in this car (MGTF 135 built Dec 2004) there is no such symbol. Does anyone know if one was ever specified for these vehicles and if so from what model year or serial number?
Or how I might safely check without committing to serious personal injury?
Any ideas please?

If it doesnt have SRS Airbag wording then it's most likely to be just a blank. You can be absolutely certain by removing the glovebox and looking up with a torch

A passenger airbag is quite easy to fit but you will need to swap the airbag controller module for one that is setup for the additional airbag. The standard one just runs the steering wheel airbag and the pair of seatbelt pretensioners.
 

As notanumber said, if it doesn't have the SRS logo then it will just be a blank.

I've seen very few TF's that actually have a passenger airbag fitted - I think it was a extra cost factory option in the UK, although there may have been some countries where legislation meant that it was fitted as standard for those export territories. Later cars may have had them as standard, but if that was the case I don't know from whst point that happened.

I have also seen some suggestion that passenger airbags weren't partiuculary beneficial in the TF, due to the large distance between the dash and where the passenger is likely to be sitting.

 

Thank you both for the reassurance.
I can confirm that there is no air bag, and that the removable cover is somewhat more difficult to re fit neatly than it was to get it out.

Regarding the creaking I have had the air vent out and I’m certain that the grp trunking that feeds the variable louvres rubs against the grp dashboard. I have managed to push a strip of hard rubber over the top of that duct but the sides are so tight I don’t think that option is available there.
I’ll have see if that makes a difference before attempting anything else.

As Chris says the system can be successfully retrofitted. New old stock airbags are still available on eBay. the controller is the problem; a new unit would be tortuously expensive & so eBay might be your only route.
The part number is PR3 RC5 YWC001600, buy a clean, well presented unit, anything grotty or corroded might be full of water. Even being fussy & with stealth & animal cunning, you might be able to land both units for about £50. The comment about the effectiveness of a passenger system has rolled around the ether for years, my thoughts are, "better a system of reduced effect than no system at all".
M

Delbourt wrote:

Regarding the creaking I have had the air vent out and I’m certain that the grp trunking that feeds the variable louvres rubs against the grp dashboard. I have managed to push a strip of hard rubber over the top of that duct but the sides are so tight I don’t think that option is available there.
I’ll have see if that makes a difference before attempting anything else.

Tesa 51608 fleece loom tape can work well in damping vibrations where parts are touching. I carry out repairs for a high end audio video manufacturer, and there is often a layer of this applied where two metal or hard plastic parts meet, to prevent the vibration or rattles that might otherwise occur at high listening levels.

My LHD ‘03 TF has “SRS Airbag” marked on the passenger side, as Notanumber stated.

I think all TFs sold in Spain are likely to have that airbag fitted.

It occurs to me that I have a use dual airbag controller in stores if anyone is interested, I could probably rustle up an airbag.
M

Regarding loom tape. If it works well why not.
Unfortunately the points of contact are just over a fingertip length from the opening with the lovers out, and what’s more rather tightly packed together by the configuration. I might get something like a 25mm scraper forced between the parts but then it is impossible to follow that up with anything else.

To resolve it properly I think it would be necessary to remove the dash and put something in place before refitting the dash.