Dashboard RemovalHow to remove the Dash. Note that where an instruction is specific to a RHD or LHD it will be noted. Otherwise instructions are the same for either side. Also I have noted the number of screws present but I may have forgotton some since this was typed a couple of weeks after the job.
Although there looks like a lot of stuff to remove, and there is, there is nothing technically difficult. AND make sure that there is enough room on the passenger side of the car to pull out a long dash. Mine was an auto so I don't know whether the instructions are the same around the gear lever area.
I removed the dash over a period of time since I was working on other things in the area so I have no idea how long it would take. If you have had parts off before then I guess it should take no more than a couple of hours your first time round. Took me about 2 hours to assemble. I think that a second time around might take an hour each way. When you pull out a piece store it with all its screws where they won't get disturbed. This will make assemble much easier later.
I admire those people who have made the effort to take photographs while they have dismantled things.
Easy stuff to remove:
1. Remove the 2 small vents on both sides of the dash. Held in with pawls so just ease out carefully.
2. Remove the kick panel under the glovebox. 4 or 5 little >push= fittings. Push in the centre pin and ease fitting out.
3. Remove glovebox.
2 screws underneath and 1 screw holding the damper in inside the box.
4. Unclip the two defroster grills. Pull up the edge from where you are sitting (RHS first) then ease back. These are the 2 wide bits just in front of where the dash edge is lifting up. Be careful with the temperature sensor. Either unplug the lead or gently ease the sensor out of the mounting clip - carefully.
5. Pull out the
drivers side vent that faces towards the door vent.
5a. Somewhere here there is a trim panel on the drivers side which is held in with 3 screws. This must come out somewhere around here.
6. Remove kick panel from under steering wheel - 4 screws.
7. Remove the housing under the steering wheel - 4 screws and pull off the top as well 7a. You may find it is easier to work around the dash area without the steering wheel being there. Removal optional. I didn't.
8. Remove the radio panel. 2 screws at the top under small panel trim bits and 2 in the centre. Ease out the 2 clips at the bottom and unplug the clock. (Note here that my car has had this panel modified so yours may be different).
9. Unscrew radio and unplug it.
10. Unscrew the two cloth lined panels either side of the gear lever - 4 screw each. Careful when you pull these out since they have vents attached AND make sure you reconnect these upon assembly.
11. Remove the trim bit around the gear lever - 2 screws at the front and 1 inside the cigarette tray (just lift it out). Be careful when removing this trim - make sure the auto lever is back and there are 2 easily broken pawls at the rear of the unit.
12. Remove the cover over the speedo. 2 screws underneath from the speedo side.
13. Remove the speedo bracket - 2 screws at the rear of the unit onto the dash. From memory this just lifts out but see next instruction.
14. If all the screws were removed from the side console bits (the two with the AC and light controls on them leaving the 2 top most ones) then the whole unit should be able to be lifted out but there are 2 screws underneath to come out first
15. With a bit of luck you are now ready to pull out the dash. There are 11 screws or I counted 11 anyway (3 under the defroster grills and the rest scattered around across the front of the dash). Failure to put any back will give you console squeaks later. And now would be the time to replace the antisqueak material at the joins of the plastic and vinyl parts.
Written by Chris Calvert, member #007.