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RichardP
06-03-2012, 09:29 AM
There is some buildup of dust behind the plastic cover that houses the gauges. Is there a way to remove this plastic?

SC Cheesehead
06-03-2012, 09:35 AM
There is some buildup of dust behind the plastic cover that houses the gauges. Is there a way to remove this plastic?

PM fastblackmerc, he can walk you thorugh it.

fastblackmerc
06-03-2012, 09:48 AM
There is some buildup of dust behind the plastic cover that houses the gauges. Is there a way to remove this plastic?

Yes it can be removed.

Once you remove all the dash trim you can to the 6 screws that secure the cover. DO NOT use and harsh or abrasive chemicals to clean and DO NOT use a paper towel. Only use a good microfiber cloth to clean.

RichardP
06-05-2012, 01:06 PM
Yes it can be removed.

Once you remove all the dash trim you can to the 6 screws that secure the cover. DO NOT use and harsh or abrasive chemicals to clean and DO NOT use a paper towel. Only use a good microfiber cloth to clean.

What would all of the dash trim consist of? Do the two screws above the gauges play a role at all in removing the dash trim?

Black&Gifted
06-05-2012, 10:39 PM
What would all of the dash trim consist of? Do the two screws above the gauges play a role at all in removing the dash trim?

Those 2 screws play a role in removing the dash surround. The dash trim is the dot matrix pieces. There are a handful or so of screws behind the dot matrix dash trim. It is a simple task. Shouldn't take longer than 35-45 minutes, and that is if you take your time.

Off the top of my head, (1) remove the small dot matrix trim to the left steering wheel; (2) remove the long dot matrix trim to the right of the steering wheel; (3) remove screws holding the dash surround in place that are behind the dot matrix trim; (4) remove the 2 screws above the gauges; (5) remove the radio; (6) pull out the dash surround (be careful of the exterior light switch and connection, which needs to be unplugged); (7) remove the 4 bolts (two on each side) that hold the instrument cluster to the dash instrument panel; (8) unplug the instrument cluster.

Like I said, I wrote the above is from memory, and the last time I took apart my dash was a handful of months ago. Hopefully if I missed anything (I don't think so), someone else will chime in.

EDIT: You may be able to skip steps 7 and 8, and just remove the 6 or so bolts that attach the clear plastic piece to the gauges but I don't remember how accessable they are with the gauge cluster still in the car.

RichardP
06-06-2012, 11:00 AM
Those 2 screws play a role in removing the dash surround. The dash trim is the dot matrix pieces. There are a handful or so of screws behind the dot matrix dash trim. It is a simple task. Shouldn't take longer than 35-45 minutes, and that is if you take your time.

Off the top of my head, (1) remove the small dot matrix trim to the left steering wheel; (2) remove the long dot matrix trim to the right of the steering wheel; (3) remove screws holding the dash surround in place that are behind the dot matrix trim; (4) remove the 2 screws above the gauges; (5) remove the radio; (6) pull out the dash surround (be careful of the exterior light switch and connection, which needs to be unplugged); (7) remove the 4 bolts (two on each side) that hold the instrument cluster to the dash instrument panel; (8) unplug the instrument cluster.

Like I said, I wrote the above is from memory, and the last time I took apart my dash was a handful of months ago. Hopefully if I missed anything (I don't think so), someone else will chime in.

EDIT: You may be able to skip steps 7 and 8, and just remove the 6 or so bolts that attach the clear plastic piece to the gauges but I don't remember how accessable they are with the gauge cluster still in the car.

Thank you for taking your time to help me out.

bolsen
06-06-2012, 11:36 AM
It takes about 30minutes to do it carefully. Just be careull not to scratch your steering wheel when you take off the dash.

Black&Gifted
06-06-2012, 11:51 AM
Thank you for taking your time to help me out.

No problem. Many have helped me out in the past and I know I'll have questions about things in the future!!!! Just paying it forward!!!!