Dash top removal, Is there a fourth fixing?

[Al 450]

Ok I have myself a nice shiny new dashboard but I'm stuck getting the dash top off. I've followed the instructions in the bible and other posts on here and taken both the passenger side 10mm nuts off (I'm absolutely sure they are the right ones) but I can't get the passenger side to budge at all. It's as though there's another fixing in there holding it against the A post and the moulding around the bottom of the screen.

Any ideas would be gratefully received as I have to have it done this weekend for Le Mans!

[thenick]

You do have to bend the whole dash a small amount to get it out.. I would try getting the one closest to the passenger seat out first by pushing the dash backward and up (slightly bending it) and this one should come out, then pull forwards and upward and the back one will come out... Then its a case of wiggling and moving around to get the last one out...

[Al 450]

Hmm, maybe I underestimated the amount of flexing required

[tyre_tread]

Be really careful not to damage the dashboard trim with the bolt ends - use electical tape over the end while you manoeuvre it out.

I found it was a case of moving it out and up alternatively bit by bit.

Good luck.

Edited by tyre_tread on Thursday 7th June 10:12

[Cider Andy]

The dashboard might be wedged in against an angle bracket at the LHS. Although this bracket is not quite visible at The Chimaera Pages, the photos may help, especially the one showing the bolt locations, which should confirm you've removed the right ones.

[Al 450]

Cheers guys, it must just be me. Maybe I was just being a little too sympathetic with it.

One of the things I've noticed is that the left hand stud has the nut and a big washer to secure the dash top but under this on the same thread there is another 10mm nut and smaller washer that is holding the stud in place. I've undone this and the stud appears to become free so I could take this nut off completely and push the stud back into the dash? Might make things easier.

One thing is for sure I will be chopping those studs down 10mm or so before re-fitting.

[Al 450]

Aha! the dash top is off, there wasn't a fourth fixing, it was just glued on the passenger side to the trimmed part under the windscreen. TVR, you've got to love them.

It's ripped a little of the PVC but below where they meet so I think i'll be ok. Running an old credit card along the join carefully helped to separate any bits that were stuck. I'll post some pics once done for posterity's sake.