Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 11:42:56 -0400
Reply-To: John Meeks <jmeeks@GASLIGHTMEDIA.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Meeks <jmeeks@GASLIGHTMEDIA.COM>
Subject: Re: How can I remove the dashboard?
In-Reply-To: <20031004042436.67237.qmail@web40804.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
-----Original Message-----
Subject: How can I remove the dashboard?
I can't find how to remove the dash board in the
Bently manual...anyone know which page it is on? I've
already removed a bunch of bolts but I like their
removal/installation guides because they tell you
exactly what you need to do.
I can't find dashboard removal in the Bentley either, but Joel Cort posted a
very detailed play-by-play on 7-30-2003.
Here's the dashboard part:
Below are some basic instructions for doing the job:
Disconnect the battery: You will be working without the dash and
with exposed hot terminals so it is best to disconnect the ground
connection. To do this move the passenger seat forward, remove the plate
under the rear of the seat protecting the battery and loosed the ground
connection. Pull the ground wire off the terminal and fasten it so that
it does not flip back and touch the battery terminal again.
Instrument cluster removal: Pull the instrument panel off and remove
all the wiring. There are 4 Phillips #2 screws holding the plastic tab
of the instrument cluster. Be careful, these tabs can get brittle with
age. They will break and shatter. Wiggle you hand behind the
speedometer and unclip the spedo cable. Just squeeze the connector and it
will
come out. Next pull out the switches by pressing the tabs to release
them from the cluster. The cluster should lift out and remove the big
wire connector plug. This will provide you room to get under the dash
board. Put the cluster in a safe place that you will not sit or lay other
components on.
Vent lever removal: Release all the vent levers. If you pull on the
blue and red rubber knobs they will work off the lever. You will be
able to see the mounting nut after the instrument panel is removed. You
may have to remove the front and rear heater fan switches as well. Also
remove any auxiliary wiring on the dash that you may have added on.
Radio: Remove the radio you are on your own here
Remove the Glove box: press the retaining tabs and lower the box
to the floor board. Slide it off its pivot. Be careful not to press the
retaining tabs to much or too hard, they could be brittle and break.
Syncro dash plate: (Applies to SYNCRO Model) Remove the Syncro dash
plate and Differential lock switch(es).
Steering column: Remove the two bolts holding the steering column
to the dash frame. These are safety bolts without a head because it is
meant to snap off when the bolts are torque at the factory. I used a
pair of vise grips and was able to turn these bolts loose. I replaced them
with normal bolts. I think they are a thread of 8x1.25 mm and 25 cm
long. The steering column will drop to the driver s seat and that is ok
and out of the way.
Dashboard attachment: Unbolt the dashboard
a. 6 or 8 #2 Philips head below the windshield
b. 4 big bolts along the door jams. You will need to be able to open
the doors wide enough to get your screwdriver/bolt driver in there
Dash removal: Ok the Dash should be loose and ready to pull off.
a. Lift it up slowly and check what else is still wired and connected,
like the cig lighter or AC switches, You will have to unplug all.
b. I did it by myself but with an extra person it sure is easier to
lift and pull the dash out one side or the other.
He continues with heater blower replacement. If that's what you are doing
look up his post.
Best of luck,
John Meeks
Top of Lower Michigan
91 Westfalia MultiVan
