FD dash removal
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 7
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From: WA
FD dash removal
Hi
I just bought the car and my first project its to re carpet the interior, the old one has seen better days. I been searching for a good thread on this subject as i am not familiar on taking the car apart yet.
does anyone have any pictures on this process at least to get the dashboard out?
i tried doing this myself last weekend with very little knowledge i found the two screws on each side of the dashboard, the two screws by the radio panel toward the pedals(both sides) and also the center screw at the top of the dashboard.. i took out the center console out, cluster assembly, dropped the steering column and logicon but the dashboard refused to come out no matter how i tried to pull it?
as going through all this i realized how old this car is, practically every plastic peace had been repair with glue or was already broken so i was very gentle with pulling stuff out.
i found those post already but dont show pictures that may help me see where i missed something.
thanks!
I just bought the car and my first project its to re carpet the interior, the old one has seen better days. I been searching for a good thread on this subject as i am not familiar on taking the car apart yet.
does anyone have any pictures on this process at least to get the dashboard out?
i tried doing this myself last weekend with very little knowledge i found the two screws on each side of the dashboard, the two screws by the radio panel toward the pedals(both sides) and also the center screw at the top of the dashboard.. i took out the center console out, cluster assembly, dropped the steering column and logicon but the dashboard refused to come out no matter how i tried to pull it?
as going through all this i realized how old this car is, practically every plastic peace had been repair with glue or was already broken so i was very gentle with pulling stuff out.
i found those post already but dont show pictures that may help me see where i missed something.
thanks!
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Ayase, Japan
Hopefully you figured it out by now, but just in case..... I found this when reviewing info for myself. I am about to tackle this and I plan on taking pics. We will see. I was really surprised I couldn't find a decent pic tutorial or really many pics of the process at all.
I seem to suck at searching though. it takes me forever to find stuff.
Here you go and good luck:
I seem to suck at searching though. it takes me forever to find stuff.
Here you go and good luck:
Wow, first, let me say, have fun. Now, for a how-to :
-I removed the seats both times I took my dash out, but I don't believe it is absolutely necessary
-Remove the center console (between seats), then get rid of the shifter and ebrake with a few bolts each
-Remove the piece of the dash below the steering wheel (there is a vent in the piece)
-Remove the steering column covers
-Remove the air bag (you will find three "plugs" on the back of the steering wheel housing bolts)
-Remove the steering wheel (21mm bolt if I remember correctly). If you don't have a puller, just grab each side of it and pull HARD, just be careful cause when it comes off, if will go into your chest
-Drop the steering column (two nuts where it goes into the firewall and two bolts closer to the top, almost under the gauge cluster)
-It will also be easier if you remove the gauge cluster and the a/c panel. There are a few bolts on the gauge cluster, and when you pull it out, be careful. You will have to pull somewhat hard, but MAKE SURE you pull STRAIGHT out, or you WILL break the "hood" (speaking from experience). After the cluster is away from the dash, just undo the plugs in the back of it. Then you will see two bolts holding in the a/c panel.
-Remove (if you didn't somehwere along the line so far) the side panels. These are the pieces on the side of the dash with vents that go into the doors. The just pull off.
-Behind each of those vents you will find two 10mm bolts holding on brackets for the dash, remove these
-In the center of the defroster vents on the top of the dash, there is a little square piece of it. Lift this piece from the front and inside you will find one 10mm bolt.
-On the center console side of each passenger "foot area" there are little cliped on covers. Remove these. Behind these you will find two 14mm (or 12mm) bolts. Remove these.
-The dash is now ready to pull out. There are a few plugs to undo while doing this though. The best way I found was to pull a little and figure out where I couldn't pull, then found the plug and undid it. I would suggest studying the plugs before you unplug them. It will appear that all the plugs need to be undone at first glance, but in reality there are only a few. This will make it less confusing to put it back together.
-Your dash should now be on your lap. Hope it was enjoyable and hope the reason was worth it.
PS. I may have skipped a few plugs along the way, but you will know when you need to undo one. I wouldn't worry about labeling them or anything like that, most were easy to figure out where they go.
-I removed the seats both times I took my dash out, but I don't believe it is absolutely necessary
-Remove the center console (between seats), then get rid of the shifter and ebrake with a few bolts each
-Remove the piece of the dash below the steering wheel (there is a vent in the piece)
-Remove the steering column covers
-Remove the air bag (you will find three "plugs" on the back of the steering wheel housing bolts)
-Remove the steering wheel (21mm bolt if I remember correctly). If you don't have a puller, just grab each side of it and pull HARD, just be careful cause when it comes off, if will go into your chest
-Drop the steering column (two nuts where it goes into the firewall and two bolts closer to the top, almost under the gauge cluster)
-It will also be easier if you remove the gauge cluster and the a/c panel. There are a few bolts on the gauge cluster, and when you pull it out, be careful. You will have to pull somewhat hard, but MAKE SURE you pull STRAIGHT out, or you WILL break the "hood" (speaking from experience). After the cluster is away from the dash, just undo the plugs in the back of it. Then you will see two bolts holding in the a/c panel.
-Remove (if you didn't somehwere along the line so far) the side panels. These are the pieces on the side of the dash with vents that go into the doors. The just pull off.
-Behind each of those vents you will find two 10mm bolts holding on brackets for the dash, remove these
-In the center of the defroster vents on the top of the dash, there is a little square piece of it. Lift this piece from the front and inside you will find one 10mm bolt.
-On the center console side of each passenger "foot area" there are little cliped on covers. Remove these. Behind these you will find two 14mm (or 12mm) bolts. Remove these.
-The dash is now ready to pull out. There are a few plugs to undo while doing this though. The best way I found was to pull a little and figure out where I couldn't pull, then found the plug and undid it. I would suggest studying the plugs before you unplug them. It will appear that all the plugs need to be undone at first glance, but in reality there are only a few. This will make it less confusing to put it back together.
-Your dash should now be on your lap. Hope it was enjoyable and hope the reason was worth it.
PS. I may have skipped a few plugs along the way, but you will know when you need to undo one. I wouldn't worry about labeling them or anything like that, most were easy to figure out where they go.
I'd disconnect the battery before starting any of that. Especially since you're going to be messing with the airbag. Also recommend using a puller on the steering wheel hub. The parts stores will loan you one.
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