Helping removing dash front around radio

[MiLotus]

I have search and I am sure it must be on here... but I can't seem to find it. I want to remove the panel containing the radio and climate controls and thought maybe someone could share the secret beore I break it.

Thanks!

[Jon]

From what I recall it is not easy.

I had a document describing it.

Basically you had to remove the steering wheel, column, most of the dash and god knows what else.

Good luck.

[MiLotus]

I am getting there... The padunder the steering wheel is giving me fits right not. The 10mm behind the grey box is in just the wrong spot to get with any of my wrenchs...
Any secret to that bolt?

[Doc Fizzix]

I used a 10m deep socket with a 1/4 (small) drive. There was a 1 inch extension between the drive and socket.

The hard part is getting on your back and crawling under the steering wheel. I hope you have a flexible back-bone because most humans are not ment to bend like that.

The hard part will then be disconnecting the heater control cable, take your time.

[Dave M]

Once the pad is out, I believe you'll find another bolt or nut behind the edge of the center console. I seem to remember another tricky bolt to the side of the speedo that required removal of the speedo cluster.

Maybe the manual has a schematic that shows all the locations? I'm with Doc - go slow so you don't break anything. You'll get it!

[Doc Fizzix]

Yes, speedo cluster must come out to get at the screw under the speedo cluster, I thought there is a bolts on the left side of the knee cushion and a screw under the speedo and to the left of the knee cusion.

[MiLotus]

Found a 10mm bolt in the dash that I got throught the radio hole and another on the other side of the dash same spot.
Thanks

[Doc Fizzix]

Do you have a manual? The only hard part for me was to remove the heater control rod, there is a clip that has to be turned just right in order to remove and it it best if you have an image of what you are dealing with because you have to do this one "blind" with your hands behind the dash.

Oh ya, getting the control rod back in is just as fun

[Doc Fizzix]

oop, sorry

I replaced my whole dash shortly after I got my car so I know what you are going through. I have replaced just about the whole interior in my car.

[MiLotus]

Got it all apart. The bigest issue now is that many of the mounts in the panel are coming loose and falling out. Looks like I will need to re attach a bunch of them.
Thanks for the help!

[Doc Fizzix]

Got it all apart. The bigest issue now is that many of the mounts in the panel are coming loose and falling out. Looks like I will need to re attach a bunch of them.

AH YES, I had the same thing on mine. I used an epoxy to re-attach the mounts then I used a 3M glue on top of the mounds just for a little extra "stick"

[clocknite]

after reading all this, i still cant figure out how to remove the knee cushion. i can't seem to find where the screws holding it down are!

pointing them out visually would be great if someone could do that for me. the manual didn't seem to have the knee cushion in the diagram.

[clocknite]

bump

can anyone seriously tell me how to take that knee cushion out? i really need to take apart the dash

[John_W]

UK versions don't have one of those, so your answer has to come from your side of the Atlantic.
John

[donsladek]

Hi, Clocknite,

There are two 10mm nuts which secure the knee cushion to studs mounted to the frame on each side of the steering column. Best way to approach this is by removing the driver seat (four bolts), then getting your head at the front of the knee cushion so you can see/feel the nuts. Definately use a deep socket. Remove the nuts, then the knee cushion can be pushed forward and loose.

I did this a couple of weeks ago, and I agree that humans are not made to bend like this!

Good luck!

Don Sladek