Disassembling the dash?

[mcjohn]

Hi,

how do I disassemble the dashboard holding the four vents on my Tuscan Mk 1?

Cheers

Marcus

[S6PNJ]

Marcus, you’ll need to be a bit of a contortionist to get to the bolts, but there are only two of them, 1 each side. If you stick your head into each of the foot wells and then look up under the dash (almost into the corner) there will be a 10mm (I think) nut. Best advice is to use a 1/4" drive socket with a 4 or 6" extension bar on it. Undo both nuts (1 each side) and then best to lower your steering wheel to its lowest position. Then simply manoeuvre the dash until it comes out. You'll then be greeted with the sight of two big hoses (3" dia -ish) which are your heater hoses) and a mass of wires and cables no doubt. Refitting is a reversal of removal but check heater hoses when you are putting back. Also it is a bit more fiddly to get the nuts back on than it is to get them off.

[mcjohn]

Thanks a lot.

After WD40ing the stepper which controls the heater flap it works again.

Cheers

Marcus

[S6PNJ]

How did you WD40 the stepper? Is it in the engine compartment near the passenger door hinge (area)? IE furthest away from the front of the car. If so, do you have aircon as well as I think there is too much 'gubbins' in the way for me to get at the stepper and I'd like to do similar to you.

[P7 TUS]

The stepper motor is located under the Heater matrix which can be found if you remove the main bonnet. As you look from the front of the vehicle it’s situated in the top right corner covered in a silver foil material. The stepper is below this and is a pig to get to unless you have small hands.

[mcjohn]

Hi S6PNJ,

I "simply" (wipers off, panel loosed a bit, locking bits of engine cover out,...) unscrewed the heater matrix ant tilted it upwards. Then you can see the stepper motor. Using a WD40 can with a tupe on did the job. If you like I can send you a pic.

Cheers

Marcus

[Mustang Baz]

S6PNJ said:

Marcus, you’ll need to be a bit of a contortionist to get to the bolts, but there are only two of them, 1 each side. If you stick your head into each of the foot wells and then look up under the dash (almost into the corner) there will be a 10mm (I think) nut. Best advice is to use a 1/4" drive socket with a 4 or 6" extension bar on it. Undo both nuts (1 each side) and then best to lower your steering wheel to its lowest position. Then simply manoeuvre the dash until it comes out. You'll then be greeted with the sight of two big hoses (3" dia -ish) which are your heater hoses) and a mass of wires and cables no doubt. Refitting is a reversal of removal but check heater hoses when you are putting back. Also it is a bit more fiddly to get the nuts back on than it is to get them off.

Phil - does dis-assembling the dash allow you to get access to the carpeted areas in the glove compartment/shelf? I am getting the car interior re-done and these look the most fiddly areas to get to/replace?

[S6PNJ]

Wow, a blast from the past - forgort I posted that!! Yes, once the top dash is out, you have reasonably clear access to the carpet in the 'lower' dash. There is still the aluminium rail there though.
view of dash through the windscreen

Edited by S6PNJ on Sunday 24th February 13:36

[Mustang Baz]

Thanks Phil - am also presuming you need to take the pod off/steering wheel off along with the dash? Apologies for a numpty question such as this, but want to ensure there are not going to be any major electrics issues if the dash comes off simply for an interior re-carpeting.

[S6PNJ]

Yes, I guess for a re-carpet you'd need to remove the pod in order to get at the bits under and around the steering wheel.