Dash Top Panel Removal

Does the center defroster vent snap in place? I assume there are screws under it holding the dash top in place. I wanted to take out my dash top to SEM it since it's faded. I know where the bolts behind the wood grain trim are, but before I start yanking an uncracked perfect (except for fading) dash pad I want to know what I'm doing.

Defroster just pops out. Take out the cluster bezel, then the center/left dash trim. Remove glove box. You'll see the screws that hold the ends of the dash. Once those are out, pull the dash straight towards you.

jayoldschool wrote:

Defroster just pops out.  Take out the cluster bezel, then the center/left dash trim.  Remove glove box.  You'll see the screws that hold the ends of the dash.  Once those are out, pull the dash straight towards you.

Thanks. I tried to gently pull on the center dash top defroster vent, and it acted like it wanted to come out. But, unless I am misunderstanding what you are saying, once that pops out, are there screws under there holding the top center of the dash in place? I've replaced the long side to side trim part that goes around the radio, so I know about the other screws you are talking about.

Most of the vents can just be picked up. The vinyl has shrunk to the point that it no longer grips the vent. If it is still tight, just gently pry it up with a wide spatula. The plastic is generally brittle, and they are easy to break.

The 91-93s have two screws along the rear edge of the vent hole. 91-94s do not. There are clips along the front of the dashpad by the window that corresponding tangs on the pad fit under. There are also plastic pins on the dash support that align the mounts. Pull the dashpad toward you until the mounts clear the pins before lifting it up. They are easy to break off.

When reinstalling the pad, make sure the sun sensor and TS sensor are showing through the vent hole before pushing it in place on the clips. I do not reinstall the two screws in the vent hole when installing the dashpad.

Thanks Fred, I appreciate the help.

Please clarify:
91-93's have, 91-94's do not
Seems to be a mistake in there somewhere that really needs to be corrected.

There are two screws that hold the 91-93 pads to the top of the dash support through holes in the dash pad in the cutout for the defrost vent. The 94-96 does not have two screws to hold the dash pad to the dash support in the cutout for the defrost vent.

Since there are no screws holding the 94-96 dash pad to the top of the dash support you do not have to worry about removing them. If the 94-96 dash pad does not have the screws, it should not matter if you put the screws back in the 91-93 dash pad when installing it, but you do have to remove them when you take the dash pad out.