Dashboard top - how to remove?
Discussion
There are two nuts (not the usual ones!), one at each end of the dash. You have to be a bit of a contortionist to get to them. Imagine the dash has a bolt going vertically down at each end. You need to get your hand and 10mm socket (works for me) on an extension bar and then put your hand up and under the dashboard from the footwell. You then need to feel around for the nut and by pressing down on the top of the dash, you should be able to release the nut. Once both are undone, adjust the steering wheel so it is at max droop and then wiggle the dash free!
[Haynes manual] refitting is a reversal of removal[/Haynes manual] but is less simple!
I've got some pikkies of the underside of the dash, once I've found them, I'll post them up.
[Haynes manual] refitting is a reversal of removal[/Haynes manual] but is less simple!
I've got some pikkies of the underside of the dash, once I've found them, I'll post them up.
Photo's as promised!
Underside of the passenger end of the dashboard - PS the nut is captive in the dash, the bolt comes out!
View of the drivers side looking through the windscreen - you can see the 'square hole' in the dash where the bolt goes.
View of the passenger end (in the distance) showing the square hole.
Underside of the passenger end of the dashboard - PS the nut is captive in the dash, the bolt comes out!
View of the drivers side looking through the windscreen - you can see the 'square hole' in the dash where the bolt goes.
View of the passenger end (in the distance) showing the square hole.
So is it a simple job or a real pain in the arse? It looks almost too simple to be true! Does it go back in easily? I'd like to take mine off to neaten up the cabling for my radio and hunt down a couple of rattles also.
Out of interest, how are the dash vents fed? Does the dash top simply act as a plenum? I reckon I've got a couple of air leaks around the blower hoses meaning the AC and heating isn't as good as it could be.
Out of interest, how are the dash vents fed? Does the dash top simply act as a plenum? I reckon I've got a couple of air leaks around the blower hoses meaning the AC and heating isn't as good as it could be.
Edited by dvs_dave on Monday 16th November 21:09
dvs_dave said:
So is it a simple job or a real pain in the arse? It looks almost too simple to be true! Does it go back in easily? I'd like to take mine off to neaten up the cabling for my radio and hunt down a couple of rattles also.
Out of interest, how are the dash vents fed? Does the dash top simply act as a plenum? I reckon I've got a couple of air leaks around the blower hoses meaning the AC and heating isn't as good as it could be.
It is a bit of a pain but if you can fit upside down in the footwell and you have a good torch shining up, it's not too bad. As jobs go, there are FAR worse!Out of interest, how are the dash vents fed? Does the dash top simply act as a plenum? I reckon I've got a couple of air leaks around the blower hoses meaning the AC and heating isn't as good as it could be.
Edited by dvs_dave on Monday 16th November 21:09
It goes back in easy, the trick is getting the bolts into the captive nuts - a bit of jiggling and they fall into place.
If you look at the last photo - far end, you can see two black tubes sticking up, about 3" across, these are the hot and cold air feeds into the dash. They simply fit around the square/round bits in the top photo. I've tried sealing them with foam pieces but with not much luck. The air con air feeds into the left hand tube IIRC and it is sealed with copious amounts of silica-set - bathroom variety in my car!
dvs_dave said:
Are the hoses that feed into the dash "gunked" onto the dash? Is there any glue/gunk holding the dash in place at all?
No, there is no 'gunk' sealing the hot/cold air into the dash, they simply fit (or losely fit) inside/outside each other. It probably explains why my passenger dash (carpet area) gets warm as the air leaks out prior to making its way into the dash! SP6 Animal said:
Great pictures thanks.
Ive not fitted my stereo into the car yet as i don't know where to put the pioneer ipod adaptor looks like it will fit in there fine.
I assume the radio wiring is visable?
Thanks
The radio wiring is hidden in there somewhere! In the bottom pic, there is a white/pale cable running to the near side, I think that's one of the speaker cables. You can also just see the aerial cable coming from behind the stereo and running to the near side as well. I tied some string to the cables so I could pull them through when replacing the radio - made getting it all back in more easy!Ive not fitted my stereo into the car yet as i don't know where to put the pioneer ipod adaptor looks like it will fit in there fine.
I assume the radio wiring is visable?
Thanks
S6PNJ said:
SP6 Animal said:
Great pictures thanks.
Ive not fitted my stereo into the car yet as i don't know where to put the pioneer ipod adaptor looks like it will fit in there fine.
I assume the radio wiring is visable?
Thanks
The radio wiring is hidden in there somewhere! In the bottom pic, there is a white/pale cable running to the near side, I think that's one of the speaker cables. You can also just see the aerial cable coming from behind the stereo and running to the near side as well. I tied some string to the cables so I could pull them through when replacing the radio - made getting it all back in more easy!Ive not fitted my stereo into the car yet as i don't know where to put the pioneer ipod adaptor looks like it will fit in there fine.
I assume the radio wiring is visable?
Thanks
Then i should be able to hide ipod under lower dash somewhere as long as i can get the wire underneath.
You've been most helpfull.
Sorry to hijack the post
Cheers. Not that difficult once you know how, although anyone with big arms will struggle.
Sadly a futile exercise on my part, still can't find my immobiliser. Not in the either footwell, not under the centre console, not under the dash.
Found it
Sadly a futile exercise on my part, still can't find my immobiliser. Not in the either footwell, not under the centre console, not under the dash.
Found it
Edited by UpTheIron on Wednesday 18th November 12:25
Took my dash top off yesterday and took the opportunity to sort out the stereo wiring as it was all crammed into the radio pod, meaning the head unit didn't locate back properly. Pulled most of it back into the dash void leaving only the required tails. I also re-routed the wiring for my dash tweeters and put the crossovers in this space aswell. A much better "proper job"!
Upon re-assembly, I took the time the make sure the AC pipes were properly located as they weren't before. A bit of vaseline on the pipes helps. The air now goes where it's supposed to without the previously mysterious leaks under the dash. The system is also quieter which is a bonus!
Biggest faff was getting the bolts back in. I'm a big bloke so trying to contort my hands and arms underneath the dash wasn't the easiest!
Upon re-assembly, I took the time the make sure the AC pipes were properly located as they weren't before. A bit of vaseline on the pipes helps. The air now goes where it's supposed to without the previously mysterious leaks under the dash. The system is also quieter which is a bonus!
Biggest faff was getting the bolts back in. I'm a big bloke so trying to contort my hands and arms underneath the dash wasn't the easiest!
Edited by dvs_dave on Sunday 22 November 19:06
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