Instrument cluster

I've got a service manual on the car, looks like damn near all of the dash has to come apart in order to pull the IP out... its not just a pull the fake wood trim off and unscrew it.... is this the case or does anyone have any advice...(Fred)....

Fred will be along shortly.

You need to remove the front of the dash off (fake wood trim), that goes across the car. Mine is black now, but you get the point.



There are 5 (I think) screws along the top of the panel, and several spring clips on the back of the panel. CAREFUL around the IC as there is not much meat to the panel there. You should also have the car in low 1, (doesn't need to be running) to get the panel off, as the shifter will be in the way.

Do not remove the woodgrain separately from the rest of the interior colored part. It is heat welded to the colored part, and is nearly impossible to reattach. Remove the entire dash front. Remember to remove the screw in front of, and above the brake release handle, and at the lower left corner of the glove box. You should also remove the glove box door, and lower the steering column. If you do not lower the steering column, at least put the wheel in the lowest position, remove the tilt lever, and put the car in 1st gear (block the tires). The tilt lever will interfere with removal of the dash front if you can not remove it, so I recommend lowering the column. The right air vent is separate from the dash front, and the dash pad must be partially removed to get it off without breaking it. The area around the steering column will be difficult to remove and require a lot of experimentation to get it past the column if you do not lower the column. Make sure you remove the gear selector indicator cable from the column before you lower the column, or remove the cluster. The clip is on the left side of the shift handle bezel.

Once you have all of the screws out, you may need a screw driver to gently encourage the top to come out from under the dash pad. It will pull off of the retainer clips.

Sounds like a pain in the arse. But also fun. Thanks!!

In addition to Fred's excellent description, try pulling the panel out as directly to the rear as possible. Pushing it out side to side or up and down might break the retaining areas.