Has anyone had a 280 dash out before?
Discussion
Hi Peeps...Just wondering, I know this has been asked as regards to the 350 but is it the same for the 280 as i went to the trimmers today who is going to do my interior in a couple of moths time and discounted the dash as it might be a right pain to remove..Has anyone taken out a 280 dash before?..I would prefer it to be done as it will look a bit naff if its left..Cheers..Ziga
I took the dash out of mine to have it retrimmed. The actual removal of the dash is quite simple. From memory there is a bolt at each end of the dash and a couple of smaller ones round about the air vent holes (mine was a very ealrly 280i FHC). The real pain was removing all the instruments, especially as all the wires were black!
Basically it is time consuming but if you are methodical and carefully note which wires go where it's not too bad. I managed to put my back out while doing mine. Ouch!!!
Basically it is time consuming but if you are methodical and carefully note which wires go where it's not too bad. I managed to put my back out while doing mine. Ouch!!!
Cheers for that..Im lucky that mine has coloured wires..(1982)..Im quite methodical so it sounds pretty simple..I know not to totally remove the nuts on each end..Do the instrument wires have to be unplugged before you can remove it from its fixings or can they be done once its removed?..Cheers..Ziga
There should be 4 nuts to undo. One by the bonnet release, one just off to the right below the glove box... These are easy! Then there are two right up by the air vents at the extreme ends of the dash, these will likely hurt and require the letting of blood 
Replace them with wing nuts
Replace them with wing nuts
Plenty of space.
Undo and remove steering wheel
Drop steering column
undo nuts either side of the dash if you can find them 10mm? bolts
pull towards you bringing passenger side further out. Interior lights on passenger side will need to be disconnected.
When access available undo speedo cable to give more movement
For reassembly replace the nuts with wing nuts and glue sandpaper either side of the slots facing up of course. This really grips the dash and the wing nuts can be tightened by hand.
Undo and remove steering wheel
Drop steering column
undo nuts either side of the dash if you can find them 10mm? bolts
pull towards you bringing passenger side further out. Interior lights on passenger side will need to be disconnected.
When access available undo speedo cable to give more movement
For reassembly replace the nuts with wing nuts and glue sandpaper either side of the slots facing up of course. This really grips the dash and the wing nuts can be tightened by hand.
If yours has no bolts on it like mine, just find a hump back bridge.
Mark,
The bit with the veneer on it comes off as described.
The gauges will be left behind.
It may be possible to re-do the soft trim without complete removal of the gauges as they are mounted on metal.
Or...that's how my 280 is
Mark,
The bit with the veneer on it comes off as described.
The gauges will be left behind.
It may be possible to re-do the soft trim without complete removal of the gauges as they are mounted on metal.
Or...that's how my 280 is
My 82 wedge has only two bolts, I think it was me who said to change to wingnuts and big washers, as it's a pain to get at the nuts (10mm spanner, 6mm threads) unless you have double jointed wrists.
Don't forget to undo the speedo cable, I did and pulled the end off it, which was a pain to fix up afterwards, but managed it.
Mine is a 'black wired' version, but there aren't actually all that many dash to body connections (about 12 ?) so you can label them as you go.
Agree it's impossible to get dash out without dropping steering column - two bolts under the dash, and remove the centre console cover (not the whole thing, just the cover), one self tapper on each side.
then it should slide forwards without too much trouble....
Don't forget to undo the speedo cable, I did and pulled the end off it, which was a pain to fix up afterwards, but managed it.
Mine is a 'black wired' version, but there aren't actually all that many dash to body connections (about 12 ?) so you can label them as you go.
Agree it's impossible to get dash out without dropping steering column - two bolts under the dash, and remove the centre console cover (not the whole thing, just the cover), one self tapper on each side.
then it should slide forwards without too much trouble....
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