Dash top removal - please help

[Teetertank]

Trying to get the dash top of on the Chim, following instructions on the Chimeara pages, but think I'm struggling with what should be the easiest nut to remove - directly above the glove box flap. Problem is that there is no nut - just an alloy shroud type collar thing on the end of the bolt. The shroud is round and hence no flats to get a spanner on, and covers all the threaded bolt section, so can't even grab that to stop it the whole thing turning.

Will try and get a picture up, as I'm sure that would help. But in the mean time is this normal? Or am I looking at the wrong bolt?

[spend]

Sounds a bit like you may be looking at the bottom of a riv-nut / pop rivet, which would imply you are looking in the wrong location. The front one is actually the hardest to remove IMHO as you have to contort up the glovebox and backwards and upside down...

[lesstatt]

Try a small mirror and a torch, once you have found it its quite easy, i found one on drivers side hardest, and getting them back on with washers at the same time is a right bh, i bought wing nuts on e-bay so should be easier if i have to do it again

[Teetertank]

Thanks Spend,

below is picture of shroud thing I was talking about - shown to the right of the electrical plug in the picture.

Is this the right plug and I just need to get to the head on the other side of it, or am I in completely the wrong place.

Thanks.

[Teetertank]

lesstatt said:

Try a small mirror and a torch, once you have found it its quite easy, i found one on drivers side hardest, and getting them back on with washers at the same time is a right bh, i bought wing nuts on e-bay so should be easier if i have to do it again

I'm pretty sure I can get to the driver's side bolt no problem - just looks a little rusted. Have undone one of the bolts on the passenger's side, but can't undo/find the second bolt on passenger's side.

Would like to find it, then I can get down to the hardware store before it closes at 4:00 and grab some wing nuts (are they M6?), and before it gets dark.

[changingman]

That doesnt look like it, if I remember correctly you cant see it from the glove box/flap hole, you have to put your hand in and along, be careful of the business end of self tappers sticking out, I didnt and my hand looked like it had been clawed by a cat!!!!!

[Red V8]

No that's not it... feel higher up and towards the back of the car (hope this makes sense)... directly above the glove compartment hole

[Teetertank]

changingman said:

That doesnt look like it, if I remember correctly you cant see it from the glove box/flap hole, you have to put your hand in and along, be careful of the business end of self tappers sticking out, I didnt and my hand looked like it had been clawed by a cat!!!!!

Thanks for all your quick responses.

Will go back out and have another poke around then.

[lesstatt]

http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_dash.php

try there, the nut is vertical from what i recall and you have to feel for it carefully, i used a ratchet spanner and yes im sure its M6

And no the part in the pic isnt the nut at all

Edited by lesstatt on Sunday 4th January 14:57

[Teetertank]

Ok. All nuts found and now undone.

Just can't quite get the dash top off due to length of bolt on driver's side not quite clearing it's hole.

Any tips for removing the dash top?

Thanks.

[Meatball]

Teetertank said:

Ok. All nuts found and now undone.

Just can't quite get the dash top off due to length of bolt on driver's side not quite clearing it's hole.

Any tips for removing the dash top?

Thanks.

Brute force it will bend

[spend]

Its always a problem. best to trim it down when its out IMHO.. be very careful not to rip the leather where it shows, you just have to 'work' it out slowly, the fg panels do flex a bit.

[jsr]

The driver's side thread was far too long on my car too which meant removing the dash was difficult. Trim a length off the bolt before replacing to make removal/replacement much easier in the future.

[lesstatt]

Yeah you have to twist it and pull it a bit, might be worth sticking some gaffa tape on the edge of the dash so the bolts dont damage the leather as the other guys say,

[Teetertank]

Dash is now removed, and have wing nuts for replacement.

Thanks all for advice.

Now need to glue peeling laminate - planning on using araldite unless anyone advises otherwise?

And also would like to fix the spacer in the speedo glass to stop it from rattling, will post separately for this issue.