wedge dash removal
Discussion
On early cars the instrument fascia was a wlanut-veneered slab of plywood tht was held to the dash moulding by studs with Nylocs on the back... and they were a bu99er to get at with the dash in situ.
Later cars had a flimsy steel panel with mock walnut (commonly known as Formica, I think!) glued on. This panel also had studs welded to the back of it but they were a push fit into plastic bungs let into the panel which supports the instruments. It just pulls off.
The glovebox lid (early) matched the dash: it was a slab of veneered ply. The later type appears to have a Formica panel let into it; I'm not sure but from looking at mine I decided it was probably held to the lid by nuts, then the inside face of the lid had vinyl glued on to hide the fixings. I could be wrong, of course: it wouldn't be the first time...
Incidentally I'm just down the road from you, in Teesside.
Later cars had a flimsy steel panel with mock walnut (commonly known as Formica, I think!) glued on. This panel also had studs welded to the back of it but they were a push fit into plastic bungs let into the panel which supports the instruments. It just pulls off.
The glovebox lid (early) matched the dash: it was a slab of veneered ply. The later type appears to have a Formica panel let into it; I'm not sure but from looking at mine I decided it was probably held to the lid by nuts, then the inside face of the lid had vinyl glued on to hide the fixings. I could be wrong, of course: it wouldn't be the first time...
Incidentally I'm just down the road from you, in Teesside.
mac123yre said:
Can anyone tell me how to remove the front lamiantion on the dash and glove box are they screwed or stuck.
Do you mean the bit of shaped plywood with the fake walnut veneer?Just pushes/pulls off on mine. They have push fit fasteners on the main panel (you can pull it off using the gauge openings). I think the glove box veneer is stuck on.
Wedge 1 is correct as always as your car is an early one it is likely to have a slab of ply with veneer on it which is fixed to a metal sheet to which the instrumants are attached. My plywood had studs fixed to it which went through the metal sheet and I think it was bolted on.
I removed the whole dash to get to it. My photos are not clear whether the ply was firmly attached. It is now firmly 'wedged' in place. It takes about 2 hours to undo the dash first time but now including undoing the steering column about 15 minutes. The dash is held in place by a M8(ish)bolt at either side. I replaced the nut with a butterfly nut and glued sandpaper either side of the slot to improve the grip.
I removed the whole dash to get to it. My photos are not clear whether the ply was firmly attached. It is now firmly 'wedged' in place. It takes about 2 hours to undo the dash first time but now including undoing the steering column about 15 minutes. The dash is held in place by a M8(ish)bolt at either side. I replaced the nut with a butterfly nut and glued sandpaper either side of the slot to improve the grip.
Transmitter Man said:
Just picked up a 1988 420 SEAC today and the wood is the first job I want to get sorted.
How dp I soften up the glue on the glovebox panel as there does not seem to be any rear fasteners holding this panel on?
Thanks.
Phil
Don't know if it will work but what I would do is; use a hair-dryer to heat the panel up and then use a wide filling knife/scraper and just carefully work around the outside until youy reach the middle.How dp I soften up the glue on the glovebox panel as there does not seem to be any rear fasteners holding this panel on?
Thanks.
Phil
On my 400 everything is bolted, dash 2 m10 bolts, centre pod 2 m10 bolts either side of the radio and glovebox 2 m10 bolts, but you need to remove the inside of the glovebox lid to get 2 them.
All my wood was venered onto metal backing plates, so removed and sanded down then painted the metal backing plates to give a more modern look.
On my previous 350 removed all the wood and had them chromed in black chrome which didn't reflect into my eyes !
All my wood was venered onto metal backing plates, so removed and sanded down then painted the metal backing plates to give a more modern look.
On my previous 350 removed all the wood and had them chromed in black chrome which didn't reflect into my eyes !
Hi Alan,
Had to take mine of recently [checking wires] i've got 350i, 89 model and mine had 3 studs on back of fascia, 1 at the vent in middle of car, 1 in between dials and other at the side vents next to door. Got to twist hand up behind fascia to find nuts, tricky but do-able.
good luck john.
Had to take mine of recently [checking wires] i've got 350i, 89 model and mine had 3 studs on back of fascia, 1 at the vent in middle of car, 1 in between dials and other at the side vents next to door. Got to twist hand up behind fascia to find nuts, tricky but do-able.
good luck john.
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