Dash removal tip

[aithanmier]

hey guys i had to pull my dash out today to paint it and i had a hell of a time with the top 2 bolts, not enough clearance for my 1/4" drive socket and standard box end wrenches (10mm) don't have enough offset to get down to the recessed bolt. I found the solution at the local o'reiley auto parts though, in the brake section they sell a brake bleeder screw wrench with both 8mm and 10mm. the wrench has a lot of offset and worked great for removing those pain in the butt bolts. just thought I'd pass it along.

[Tim]

Thanks for the tip!

It'll make life a lot easier...


Regards,

Tim

[aithanmier]

yeah def made my life alot easier...for awhile i was considering knocking out that damn windshield lol. another tip for anyone that has never removed the dash before there are only 8 bolts that need to come out...when i pulled it out i started by trying to unscrew all the little screws along the bottom of the underside edge...those don't have to come out. there are 3 bolts on top, one under each of the small square covers, one under the center dash clock block off plate, one on each side of the dash under a small plastic cover, two nuts that need to come off, one right above the hood pull and the other in about the same spot on the passenger side, and finally the two bolts on the black metal plate under the steering column. you also have to unscrew the fuse panel and free it from the dash, then you need to pull the gauge cluster and the heater/vent controls ( those are fun!!!). Unplug the main dash harness that is behind the drivers side vent, and your pretty much ready to pull it. the defrost vents will have to be pulled free. oh yeah and don't forget to unsnake the antenna cord, mine was twisted all around the dash lol. It might be a good idea to drop the column too, only 4 bolts hold it up and it'll give you more room to work.

[SimonTuffGuy]

haha... When I pulled my spare dash from the junkyard, I didn't have my swivel extension for my ratchet and I just smashed a 2 holes through the windshield (it was already cracked!) to get it out...

[aithanmier]

wow i didn't think i could even get my socket to fit it with a swivel...lol those are some close quarters....i bet they put the dash in before the windshield at the factory lol