To start, ive seen the stickied thread. The lack of pictures does not help me. What I’m concerned about is removal of what seems to be a textured filler panel between the dash and windshield. My defroster vents are already shattered. As far as I can tell you just remove the center bolt under the defroster center panel, bend (?) the metal tab up, then lever the filler panel out? Can anyone confirm or deny? Also what are my chances of this panel cracking or breaking? My interior in this car is really really nice and I don’t want to have a huge crack in my dash. As far as I can tell the car was garage kept since new and never winter drove.

also are the side bolts the same way? Do those door vent panels just pry out?

 

that panel is metal, and then its held in place with a bunch of clips, so it does pop out. sometimes you can bend it.

the side vents pop out, and then you can pop off the other cover, i think there is a screw somewhere, but maybe under the vent?

 

I think it's the other way around. The side cover pops out, then hidden screws underneath hold the vent in.

Best thing to do for the side cover is to use a credit card to pry up enough to fit one of those flat wide trim tools. Then reach it as far under as possible before carefully applying pressure outwards.

I was able to get my dash apart without breaking anything (more than the previous owner had anyways). Just be careful and do everything with 1/2 the speed and force you think you should.