Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:15:21 -0700
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: trip report quite long (and dash removal)
In-Reply-To: <20120813184037.PVSQ4.299164.imail@eastrmwml214>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I've only removed my dash one time, and it was surprisingly easy and I'll even go as far to say rewarding to do. Not hard at all, and only minimal tools involved; just time consuming (like 5-6 hours for R&R for a total rookie, and probably 2 hours R&R if you've done it once), and lots of fasteners, but nothing too technical. And, you are sitting upright for the most part, as opposed to working under the chassis. Hardest part is maneuvering the dash up and out by yourself (which I did), but if you've got a helper for 5 minutes no problem there either. The most special tool I used was a pair of Vice-Grips to grab onto and remove the two conical nuts which hold the steering column support (and then you buy a couple regular nuts to replace those conical nuts). And, had to buy a 22 mm socket to remove the steering wheel nut, which is also required to remove the lower Front Shock mounting bolts which I discovered 2 weeks ago. Best instruction was
at http://benplace.com/dash.htm Thanks Ben.
By the way, the reason I removed dash was to fix the "ovaled" hole on the clutch pedal pin (some annoying clicking); removing, or more precisely re-installing that clutch pedal was challenging. But when I got it out, I found that after 25 years and 195,000 miles, it was perfectly circular, virtually no wear...go figure. Lubed everything up (must have been the pedal return spring that needed a dab of grease), re-installed, no clicking, all good.
Anyway, when the dash is removed, lots of things visible of course. Good time for some other lubrication items like fan motor and ventilation control linkages. Lube anything that moves, dust off everything else.
I'd say, if you've got a spare day, do it yourself. (Have never worked on the windshield wiper linkage and shaft....somebody else more knowledgeable will have to chime in on that.) Good luck. But don't let the "mystery" of dash removal deter you, it's not bad at all.
Rich
San Diego
--- On Mon, 8/13/12, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET> wrote:
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: trip report quite long
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Monday, August 13, 2012, 3:40 PM
Well, we'll find out, as I am either about to tackle the job, or get someone with more knowledge and skills than me to do it. mcneely
---- Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
> are you sure Stacey? I'm thinking the pass. side shaft can be got at without removing dash.
>
> alistair
>
>
> On 2012-08-13, at 1:59 PM, Stacy Schneider wrote:
>
> > Honestly ,I think the guy had it backwards . I'd pay somebody $ 70.00
> > to install that . You have to pull the dash out to get to it . Obviously
> > the guy had no idea what was involved.
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Aug 13, 2012 at 1:07 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
> >
> >> ---- Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Passenger side windshield wiper became loose and flopped about during a
> >> thunderstorm in Wyoming on outbound. The stud had snapped. While getting
> >> the muffler replaced in Burlington, I made a couple of inquiries about
> >> getting parts, but did not really want to spend the time to track down
> >> parts and fix it. I was told that I would need to replace the
> >> "transmission," that the stud cannot be replaced. Is this true? One guy
> >> offered to get a transmission from a bone yard, wanting $260 for the part,
> >> and $70 for labor, and it would take him two days to get the part. Is this
> >> right? I just removed the wiper and put it under the seat, and cleaned the
> >> windshield really well before wiping it thoroughly with "RainX." It did
> >> not rain on us for the rest of the trip, maybe RainX works (ha ha). I'll
> >> see what I can do now that we are home.
> >>
> >> Just ordered wiper shaft assembly from Van Cafe, price $33, new, from
> >> original equipment manufacturer.
> >> --
> >> David McNeely
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > 1989 Swedish Tristar with Aluminum gates and Atiwe 16" Wheels.
> > Oldest son is an Eagle scout.
--
David McNeely
| 
