Dash/Cluster Removal/Pictures

[Dicktator]

Time for me to post some pictures for Dash and Cluster Removal.

PLEASE hold comments until I have them all posted.

Here is what I have.

1. Remove control rings
2. Plastic tool under trim bar, held on with clips.
3. remove bar
4. Driver side Trim
5. Remove Bar.

[Dicktator]

More

1. Remove 7mm screws, upper part of dash only
2. Remove 7mm
3. Remove trim ring around cluster, steering wheel way down position.
4. Release dash from upper half, fingers and plastic tools, clips hold it
5. Pry around cover for Air Bag, pull fuse for air bag under hood in fuse box. Fuse box has diagram to locate air bag fuse.

[Dicktator]

More;

1. Gentle push in air bag cover as someone pulls on dash, use plastic tool. Works best when dash if warm.
2. Dash pulls off toward you.
3. Remove dash and set aside
4. Four 7mm screws hold on cluster trim.
5. Remove Cluster, four 7mm screws, two on top, two on bottom Need extension to reach.

[Dicktator]

More.

1. Remove cluster far enough to unplug connector.
2. Connector for cluster
3. Take cover off cluster, 7mm screws and plastic "snaps"
4. PC board
5. Face with needless.

[Dicktator]

more

1. Stepper motors
2. Remove plastic cover.
3. Putting on White Face Plate
4. Lining up White Face Plate
5. Connect and place in opening for calibrating

Stepper motors now need to be calibrated. Once plugged to connector, DO NOT disconnect. You will have to start over.

[Focks]

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

For what it is worth, the last time my dash was removed, I used a dremel to remove the tabs tht are normally behind the air bag.

I had removed my dash a few times prior and the airbag corners were no longer laying down properly. By using the dremel and removing the tabs, my airbag now lays completely flat, and it makes removing the surrounding a lot easier.

[RUN ROD RUN]

Originally Posted by Focks

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

For what it is worth, the last time my dash was removed, I used a dremel to remove the tabs tht are normally behind the air bag.

I had removed my dash a few times prior and the airbag corners were no longer laying down properly. By using the dremel and removing the tabs, my airbag now lays completely flat, and it makes removing the surrounding a lot easier.

I know of six or seven SSR that have done exactly what you've said and it works great.
Here a photo showing what tabs was removed.

[shakemyhand]

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

I know of six or seven SSR that have done exactly what you've said and it works great.
Here a photo showing what tabs was removed.

Jeff, Are the tabs that were removed all of the small pink lines. Not sure what you mean. Thanks

[Dicktator]

For what it is worth, the last time my dash was removed, I used a dremel to remove the tabs that are normally behind the air bag.

Focks:
I too, cut the rim away from the air bag. Makes it easier taking it off.

I NO longer remove the WHOLE dash to take out cluster. You can just gently set the driver side of the dash on the steering column. Cover the column with a rag so you don't scratch it.

Makes it a little harder to get the cluster in and out but it saves taking the dash off the air bag.

Dicktator

1. Notice the rim behind my thumb, that is the part you remove with a dremel tool. Be Careful not to hit the dash.

[RUN ROD RUN]

Originally Posted by shakemyhand

Jeff, Are the tabs that were removed all of the small pink lines. Not sure what you mean. Thanks

Once you remove the dash, you'll see what I'm talking about. Look at Dicktator's photo and you see the rim behind his thumb.

Maybe one of these days I'll get a good before and after photo.

[Dicktator]

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

I know of six or seven SSR that have done exactly what you've said and it works great.
Here a photo showing what tabs was removed.

Good picture Jeff!.

That is excatly what you want to cut out.

I should have taken pictures before and after, must be slipping.

Dicktator

[RUN ROD RUN]

Surfing eBay earlier, one of the well known salvage yards for SSR parts had a dash for sale so I cut and pasted two photos together to show the rim that can be trim.

Hopefully one of these days, I get a photo of after the rim been trimmed off.

[Dicktator]

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

Surfing eBay earlier, one of the well known salvage yards for SSR parts had a dash for sale so I cut and pasted two photos together to show the rim that can be trim.
Attachment 123787
Hopefully one of these days, I get a photo of after the rim been trimmed off.

Jeff, I will be taking mine off again. Want to add lights to the cluster.

I will try and remember to take a picture of the "trimed" air bag opening and post it here.

My Wife Kathy, says I should put a zipper on the dash.

Dicktator

[LITEMUP]

As always a great job Mr. Dicktator Sir.

[OldTownCruiser]

Greatinformation and pictures Dick, really takes away the mystery of how to remove a dash assembly.

[phantomguy]

Thanks Dicktator, these photos are exactly what I've been looking for in order to remove my cluster for stepper motor change out. I purchased 25 stepper motors and will be using 5 for my R. If anyone is interested I can bring some to the tech day in February.
Marty

[RUN ROD RUN]

Originally Posted by Dicktator

My Wife Kathy, says I should put a zipper on the dash.

Dicktator

Velcro might be better

[Focks]

The biggest pain in the ass from doing this at all is getting the AC vents to line up properly, after the fact.

Any suggestions on that part of the ritual?

[river_rat]

I use a Craftsman shepard's hook pick tool to align the vent tubes. I do this very carefully using a flashlight shining into the actual vent and the tool is long enough and small enough to reach thru the vent openings to move the plastic vent tubes side to side or up and down to align with those on the dash cover just prior to snapIng the dash cover back in place. Be careful when removing the tool so as not to catch any of the vent fins. This pick was part of a 4 piece set, just make sure you get the longer set as they offer a shorter set as well.

Craftsman Pick Tool set

[river_rat]

I have been debating whether or not to post on this thread since every mechanic has their own method to performing any particular task. I have been into my dash 4 times now (gauge face change out, stepper motor repair & Cube LED install, Cube LED removal, and Blue tooth/Ipod interface install). The first time, I just pryed the dash cover forward on the drivers side to get the cluster out leaving the cover around the passenger air bag. This is fine if the dash cover is warm but could easily crack the dash cover if done in colder weather. Even though my cover was warm I did notice how it slightly deformed the left side of the passenger air bag. When needing to go into the dash for the stepper motor repair, I had read Mike in AZ's suggestion to removing the passenger side upper air bag nuts. Now, removal of that air bag is a 5 minute job and makes dash cover removal a breeze. So before making any irreversible modifications to the dash cover, fanatics may want to read about removing the upper air bag nuts. If you already have the dash cover off, viewing and getting to these upper nuts is much easier.

[RUN ROD RUN]

Originally Posted by Focks

The biggest pain in the ass from doing this at all is getting the AC vents to line up properly, after the fact.

Any suggestions on that part of the ritual?

One A/C vent at a time. Start with the passenger side and work your way to the left.

[Focks]

Thanks River, I'll look in to it.

[river_rat]

Yes I agree with RRR in that I too start with aligning the right most vent and working left as well. Usually I only need the tool for the driver's side two vents since when I work on the dash, I have the passenger side air bag and glove box removed. Thus I use those two openings to aid in aligning the passenger side vent ducting.

[Dicktator]

Originally Posted by Focks

The biggest pain in the ass from doing this at all is getting the AC vents to line up properly, after the fact.

Any suggestions on that part of the ritual?

I pop the A/C vents out before I remove the dash, makes putting it back easier and don't break the vents. Now I can line up the Vents easily.

I don't do it on my R, but when I work on others I do.

Dicktator

[Dicktator]

Originally Posted by river_rat

I have been debating whether or not to post on this thread since every mechanic has their own method to performing any particular task. I have been into my dash 4 times now (gauge face change out, stepper motor repair & Cube LED install, Cube LED removal, and Blue tooth/Ipod interface install). The first time, I just pryed the dash cover forward on the drivers side to get the cluster out leaving the cover around the passenger air bag. This is fine if the dash cover is warm but could easily crack the dash cover if done in colder weather. Even though my cover was warm I did notice how it slightly deformed the left side of the passenger air bag. When needing to go into the dash for the stepper motor repair, I had read Mike in AZ's suggestion to removing the passenger side upper air bag nuts. Now, removal of that air bag is a 5 minute job and makes dash cover removal a breeze. So before making any irreversible modifications to the dash cover, fanatics may want to read about removing the upper air bag nuts. If you already have the dash cover off, viewing and getting to these upper nuts is much easier.

Guess I don't understand about the airbag nuts. If I have the dash off, where are they??? And what happens to the integrity of the airbag if I leave them off??

Dicktator

[river_rat]

Dick

I posted some pictures on a thread last fall when I had my air bag out, still trying to find that thread and will add a link when I do. Mike actually removed those nuts his prior to the dash cover. Below is his original link

Upper air bag nuts

The nuts are in the upper corners of the air bag about level with the top of the air vent openings and right behind the black air bag cover. About where your thumb is in pic #1(thumbnail #3???) of post #3 above. Leaving these nuts off allows the air bag to be removed by only having to deal with the two bolts in the glove box opening. Those two bolts are plenty to hold the bag in place and since the back of the bag would be forced into the dash during deployment leaving the nuts off wouldn't cause any difference. I think they were probably there for anti theft reasons. You could always use protected torx or puzzle lock bolts in the glove box if theft was a worry but a thief wouldn't know the upper nuts weren't still installed. By not modifying the dash cover, the air bag still holds the dash cover in nice and tight preventing any potential rattles. I put some small rubber washers on the upper air bag studs prior to reinstall and have not had any dash rattles or squeaks.

Found the air bag pictures. My pictures are not as good as yours but you should be able to see the holes that the studs go thru and the stud locations on the back of the air bag. Also, once the glove box door is off, getting to the air bag connector is easy (see info on this in link below). Ignore the harnesses you see in air bag opening in my first picture below. Those are my Bluetooth and Ipod interface harnesses. The air bag connector is behind and below the passenger center air vent.

Air Bag picture

[RUN ROD RUN]

I just don't like the thought of DIY mechanic dealing with the airbags. The thing that comes to my mind is liability.
Let just say you're putting it back together and somehow you got distracted due to a number of possibilities ... like phone call, someone shows up to see what you're working on, etc....

Then down the road, your in a accident and only the airbag on the driver side deployed. No need for me to outline what pain the passenger is going though.

[river_rat]

You will get an air bag warning light if it is not reconnected properly or if fuse is not reinstalled. Also the air bag fuse should be pulled anytime you are working on the dash or around steering wheel for any work. Same liability would apply there.

I place more faith in my own work than most mechanics for hire out there especially car audio installers. The same argument could be used for brake work, suspension work, engine fuel mods, etc.

[Dicktator]

Thanks for all the discussion on the air bags. I get it now. I did not know how to remove the air bag.

My DIY thread is to remove the dash/cluster and was not addressing removing the air bag but that information is good and refers owners to the air bag thread. Thanks!

And I agree that you turn the passenger air bag "OFF" or pull fuse.

Passenger Air Bag can be turned "OFF" by inserting your ignition key in the switch located to the right of the glove box. You can only see switch with the glove box door open. That is what I do.

Dicktator

[vetteman62]

I have had my cluster out several times and have not removed any fuse or shut the air bag off because I just pull the dash far away enough on the drivers side to disconnect the cluster harness and remove it. No messing around with the vents or the air bag.