350i dash removal
Discussion
For better or for worse ... I'm presently in the process of removing the pseudo veneered parts from the interior of my 1987 350i for a revamp with carbon fibre sheeting. (Well, I'll see how it looks; it doesn't have to be a one way street!)
The removal of the glove box lid and centre console panel was no problem, but I've been trying to work out where on earth the retaining bolts are for the main dash panel. There is one about halfway down on the left hand side (over the centre console) but I can't find a matching one to the right (door side). Something is holding it there though...
Anyone any ideas? The "bible" seems to be somewhat less than detailed on this one!
The removal of the glove box lid and centre console panel was no problem, but I've been trying to work out where on earth the retaining bolts are for the main dash panel. There is one about halfway down on the left hand side (over the centre console) but I can't find a matching one to the right (door side). Something is holding it there though...
Anyone any ideas? The "bible" seems to be somewhat less than detailed on this one!
Ok....you got a few bolts to find. The easiest way is to unfasten the entire dashboard on the drivers side and bring it towards you off its mount so you can get your hands up behind the gauges however, you might be able to do it with the dashboard in place. Eitherway to undo the dash you will need a 10mm ring spanner preferably the rachet type or socket.
There should be 4 bolts - 1 next to the dash vent. 1 bolt just above and between the oil and volt gauge, 1 at the bottom in between the rev counter and speedo and 1 bolt just above the temp and petrol gauge. Undo these and the veneered section will come away with a bit of careful leverage starting from just inside the air vent.
You will need to feel for them but the above locations are where those nuts should be. Like I said before, the best way is to unfasten the entire dashboard from the drivers side for easier access. There are 2 10mm bolts to find. 1 next to bonnet release and 1 under the dashboard near the screen pillar.
Hope it goes well.
There should be 4 bolts - 1 next to the dash vent. 1 bolt just above and between the oil and volt gauge, 1 at the bottom in between the rev counter and speedo and 1 bolt just above the temp and petrol gauge. Undo these and the veneered section will come away with a bit of careful leverage starting from just inside the air vent.
You will need to feel for them but the above locations are where those nuts should be. Like I said before, the best way is to unfasten the entire dashboard from the drivers side for easier access. There are 2 10mm bolts to find. 1 next to bonnet release and 1 under the dashboard near the screen pillar.
Hope it goes well.
The bolts are glued onto the back of the metal backed dash fascia with rock hard black glue stuff and on mine it was easier to give a good tug and rip it out as one of the nuts was above the steering column and really hard to get at, despite all the nuts being finger tight. The previous repairer had done the same and some of the bolts were fastened on with silicon sealant. I just stuck velcro on the back and left the bolts unfastened to make it easier to remove again if needed. Regards, Mark
Hi, I removed and reveneered my 350i Dash last year, I have a photograph of the dask and where each of the screws are located if you are interested. Email me on stewart_mcquillian@hotmail.com and I will send you the picture. I used the article on TVR Wedge pages as a reference, worked brilliant.
When you do manage to undo the retaining bolts (a small child or somebody with kiddie fiddling hands would come in handy as well to help out!!) watch out as when you manage to pull the entire dash off its mountings you will find that its bloody heavy!
I remember doing it and then suddenly pulling the dash off the mountings and then thought shite!
Have somebody give you a hand at the last stage.
MikeyB
I remember doing it and then suddenly pulling the dash off the mountings and then thought shite!
Have somebody give you a hand at the last stage.
MikeyB
Thanks everyone (especially Stewart). After some fiddling I have discovered how to paste pictures on here; this is the one which really helped me. If anyone wants to see the others then I'll happily put those on too. I now have the front dash panel off, and wrists that look like I have tried to end it all in the process!
Next job is to get the rear dash panel off, because I want to sort out my (stopped) clock while I'm at it. Everything I've seen to date says that this main dash panel is bolted on, but in my case it is held on by 6 pop rivets. It looks like I can just drill these out to get at the back of the panel and then replace them when I have finished - but I'm far from sure about that!
Does anyone know whether the pop rivets are likely to be a TVR thing, or a later mod? And if TVR used this approach, whether there is anything to be wary of apart from the obvious dangers of damaging cables? Certainly the veneer panel has been refurbished before so maybe this is a past owner's contribution.
Next job is to get the rear dash panel off, because I want to sort out my (stopped) clock while I'm at it. Everything I've seen to date says that this main dash panel is bolted on, but in my case it is held on by 6 pop rivets. It looks like I can just drill these out to get at the back of the panel and then replace them when I have finished - but I'm far from sure about that!
Does anyone know whether the pop rivets are likely to be a TVR thing, or a later mod? And if TVR used this approach, whether there is anything to be wary of apart from the obvious dangers of damaging cables? Certainly the veneer panel has been refurbished before so maybe this is a past owner's contribution.
It's an absolute t
t of a job
I just groped about behind the dash, with various sized sockets,(thanks TVR or one of the previous owners) and eventually managed to get it off. Had to drop the steering column. Easier to remove seat to access the dash.
Used the veneered metal plates as templates and cut out carbon fibre sheet to replace everything. Used rubber rawl plugs and annodised dome head studs to hold the carbon fibre to the dash. Centre consol is held in place by the surround. Glove compartment was glued. For the door strips, I glued the CF to the original steel that was bolted to the door trim panels.
Have some pics somewhere, but not to hand, sorry.
Have fun and good luck
t of a jobI just groped about behind the dash, with various sized sockets,(thanks TVR or one of the previous owners) and eventually managed to get it off. Had to drop the steering column. Easier to remove seat to access the dash.
Used the veneered metal plates as templates and cut out carbon fibre sheet to replace everything. Used rubber rawl plugs and annodised dome head studs to hold the carbon fibre to the dash. Centre consol is held in place by the surround. Glove compartment was glued. For the door strips, I glued the CF to the original steel that was bolted to the door trim panels.
Have some pics somewhere, but not to hand, sorry.
Have fun and good luck
Thanks......
Glove box is easy as the inside panel is loose
The Console: I now have the cover off and am in the process of disentangling the switches
Not looking forward to doing the dash now......
Planning on re-veneering. Wish me luck, never veneered before but I did get O level woodwork (51 years ago).
Glove box is easy as the inside panel is loose
The Console: I now have the cover off and am in the process of disentangling the switches
Not looking forward to doing the dash now......
Planning on re-veneering. Wish me luck, never veneered before but I did get O level woodwork (51 years ago).
Thanks Adam,
The TVR Gods were with me this evening, while the centre console was a fiddle removing the switches (never seen that type before with the transluscent plastic slide on fitting), lighter socket, radio etc., the glove box and the dash were easy.
Having tried and failed to get my hand up to the fixings of the steel panel with the exception of the one between rev counter and speedo and not finding the one for the whole dash up by the screen pillar, I took a deep breath, looked carefully at the way it didn't fit very well and with a screwdriver carefully prised it out the recess. No nuts on the studs, .....
There was some velcro pieces on the removable steel panel but no corresponding pieces on the base dash!
So now for stripping the old veneer off, some of it would repair but I'd have trouble matching the colour and the colour is wrong anyway.
Before I go too far, has anyone tried to recreate the entire panel in 3mm ply? Might be longer lasting than thin veneer on steel?
One more question while I'm here, the centre console is two thicknesses of steel, is that correct? There's some strange packing pieces in there too.
Big thanks for any advice or guidance from those who have already trod this path.
The TVR Gods were with me this evening, while the centre console was a fiddle removing the switches (never seen that type before with the transluscent plastic slide on fitting), lighter socket, radio etc., the glove box and the dash were easy.
Having tried and failed to get my hand up to the fixings of the steel panel with the exception of the one between rev counter and speedo and not finding the one for the whole dash up by the screen pillar, I took a deep breath, looked carefully at the way it didn't fit very well and with a screwdriver carefully prised it out the recess. No nuts on the studs, .....
There was some velcro pieces on the removable steel panel but no corresponding pieces on the base dash!
So now for stripping the old veneer off, some of it would repair but I'd have trouble matching the colour and the colour is wrong anyway.
Before I go too far, has anyone tried to recreate the entire panel in 3mm ply? Might be longer lasting than thin veneer on steel?
One more question while I'm here, the centre console is two thicknesses of steel, is that correct? There's some strange packing pieces in there too.
Big thanks for any advice or guidance from those who have already trod this path.
Trying to decide between re venering and getting the three panels hydro dipped, any thoughts?
Re veneering would be a great project, if it goes right, hydro dipping may be more expensive but more chance of it looking good.
The clock (still working) is square, the aperture in the front panel is circular. Swop the clock (new hole in the main panel), make the hole in the front panel square or leave it (you can see the clock through the hole).
The console has three switches to the left hand side of the lighter socket, the outer one (see photo) has no connections and the switch is jammed. What was it for? Where can I get a replacement and what could I use it for? Thinking interior lighting (footwells and the console itself.
Thanks
Re veneering would be a great project, if it goes right, hydro dipping may be more expensive but more chance of it looking good.
The clock (still working) is square, the aperture in the front panel is circular. Swop the clock (new hole in the main panel), make the hole in the front panel square or leave it (you can see the clock through the hole).
The console has three switches to the left hand side of the lighter socket, the outer one (see photo) has no connections and the switch is jammed. What was it for? Where can I get a replacement and what could I use it for? Thinking interior lighting (footwells and the console itself.
Thanks
Edited by Skyedriver on Thursday 29th October 14:11
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff