Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

I'm trying to get off the part of the dashboard that surrounds the gauges. Right now I have all of the visible bolts off in order to remove this piece except one I believe. It gets hung up in the middle top rear of the piece under the middle of the windshield. Anyone where this bolt is or how to get to it or if it is even a bolt at all?

Thanks

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

Did you take of your dash mat? There are several screws holding the gauge cluster in located on top below the large dashmat peice.

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

I think there is 2 under the flat dash pice, kind of hard to see.

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

I want to change the bulbs in my speedo and put this sticker on it from Brent Franker, but when I tried, it was a real B***h. You have to disarm the airbag wires and I couldn't even find where/how to take the dash off!?!?!

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

Just to clarify. It is the plastic piece that surrounds the gauges that is getting hung up. Specifically, at the center rear part just where it meets the dashboard.

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

Like said above, you need to lift the dash pad and unscrew the two screws that hold the top of the trim piece... The dash pad, meaning the large plastic piece in between the windshield and the dash itself... You'll have to remove the drivers a pillar in order to lift the dash pad up enough to reach the screws.

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

You have to take off the dash pad. The part with the rear defroster vent. If not you will probably break it trying to lift if high enough to get to the screws. Thats why i love my TA dash. I can remove the cluster with out messing with the dash pad. I'm always nervous as hell messing with the dash pad, one false move and Snap its done for.

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

Forgive me. I just don't understand what you mean by the "dash pad." And I don't know of a "rear defroster vent." :confused: There is a rear defroster button in the area which I have already disconnected.

I have the bottom panels off already including the panel around the radio. I've taken off all bolts that secure the panel around the gauge cluster except the area in question.

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

Read my post above and you'll see what he means.. The large plastic piece in between the windshield and dash with the defrost vent.

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

ok, this may help you. i know it did for me.

http://members.tripod.com/bpador/modinstruction.html

i don't know how to set up a link, so just cut and paste. it is written as if you were putting in white face gauges, but the important thing is it tells you how to get the cluster out.

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

Yeah, I read that earlier from BFs technical site. After rereading it, I guess Step 5 is where I am at. I am having trouble with the terminology describing the various pieces. I will follow step 5 and see if i can "pry open the pop clips that secure it."

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

yeah, what you need to "pry up" is the big peice of plastic where you have you window defroster vent. what you do is slide a flat head screw driver under it and pull up. they should "pop" loose, then you can see the screws to get it out (there are to). you will also have to remove the A-pillar plastic molding to lift the dash pad high enough to get at the bolts. i guess that is the best way i can describe it...

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

Sorry if i threw you off. You need to remove the plastic piece that has the front window defroster.

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

Is the piece that goes over the cluster loose? If it is and it comes forward it needs to somersault over the steering wheel.
Make sure you remove the dash pad....its the huge picnic table size piece that butts to the windshield. Be very careful. remove the A pillars first. now you should see the bolts for the piece that covers the cluster, once you remove the 2 on top, one on the left side, and 2 if I remember correctly on the right that whole plastic piece will come forward and somersault over the steering wheel.
heres what it looks like if you take everything out. http://mofbody.com/pics/shifter1.jpg

Re: Dashboard stubborn to come off...help.
 

Thanks for the help guys. I will give it a try later today. I'm doing this because I have an obnoxious ticking sound behind the left vent that I can't get to any other way. I need to get rid of the gauge pod in order to get the left panel (that surrounds the fuse box) off to gain access to where this noise is originating. Such a hassle just for a little ticking noise but it drives me crazy. I'll replace the clear plastic gauge cover while I'm at it as it seems to be kinda fuzzy or melted or something.