Date:         Mon, 26 Nov 2001 09:19:02 -0500
Reply-To:     Timothy Hannink <tjhannink@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Timothy Hannink <tjhannink@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Pulling the Dash (fascia)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have done this 3 or 4 times and it takes me an hour to remove and two
hours to re-install. The toughest part is figuring out how all of the
switches come off without breaking any of the little plastic tabs.

This is the order I do things in:

Disconnect primary battery
Remove ashtray
Remove center defroster vents
Remove fuse box cover
Lower fuse block
Remove glove compartment
Remove outer defroster vents
Now I can remove my dashboard cover
Remove Steering wheel - You don't have to but it makes the fascia easier to
get out of the van.
Remove instrument panel cover
Remove instrument panel (I typically leave the switches connected and push
them through the holes in the fascia)
Remove hoses from the front fascia vents
Remove the steering column cover
Remove the two bolts with conical heads holding the column to the fascia (I
use a pair of channel-lock pliers)
Those two bolts are threaded into two braces that run between the fascia and
the front of the van. Swing those braces away from the fascia or they will
hang up when removing the fascia.
Pull knob from rear heater fan switch
Remove rear heater fan switch
Pull knob from front fan switch
Pull levers from heater controls (be careful, its easy to pull the
indicators off of the lever controls, the levers also tend to get caught on
the faceplate)
Gently pry off heater control faceplate
Remove light assembly from back of heater control panel
Remove 3 screws holding heater control lever mechanism to the dash (2 are on
the front of the fascia, one is in the instrument panel opening)
Remove radio (if your unable to get the radio out you can remove it with the
fascia, you will need to pull the fascia out a couple of inches to access
all of the connectors on the back of the radio
Remove the A/C control knobs
Remove the A/C switches from the fascia
Remove the lighter socket from the fascia
Remove the 5 Phillips screws from the top area of the fascia near the
windshield
Remove the 4 Phillips screws holding the fascia in each door jamb
Pull out on the fascia rotating the front upward and the assembly should
come out

Of course, assembly is the reverse of removal. Pay close attention to the
routing of the heater control cables especially near the radio, A/C controls
and rear fan switch.

A couple of related items:
This is a good time to lubricate the windshield wiper mechanism and
repair/replace any windshield washer hoses.
If you have a manual transmission, this is a great time to check the pedal
assembly, especially if the clutch pedal is squeaking. The pedal assembly
and power brake booster can be removed without disconnecting any of the
hydraulic lines.
Clean up the ground connector behind the fuse block
Note the position of the fuses and relays located behind the fuse block for
future reference
I have a supply of Ziplock bags that I use to keep all of the small parts
(i.e. knobs, switches, screws etc...) together
If you're really anal, clean and wax the sheetmetal ductwork behind the
fascia.:>)


Good luck,

Tim Hannink
Goldibox 1987 Vanagon Camper
Winter Park, Florida
 http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/



----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Nutter" <eanutter@POSTOFFICE.PACBELL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2001 4:07 AM
Subject: Re: Pulling the Dash


> I'd be interested too.  I've been put off by a task that professional
shops
> want $600 to do.
>
> Dave Baker wrote:
>
> > Since you're "always pulling the dash," perhaps you could give us a
> > description of your method.  I'm going to have to do this to work on my
> > blower motor, and I've been putting it off because of all the labor
involved
> > with dash removal.
> >
> > TIA.
> >
> > Dave in KC
> > 85 Westy
> > http://members.fortunecity.com/davebaker1
> >
> > > I am always pulling the dash to wire something and it would just be
left
> > on
> > > my to do list when i pull the dash.
> > >
> > > Adam P