AstinaGT Forums - HOW TO: BA Dash Removal

HOW TO: BA Dash Removal

Click images to see bigger version

What you will need:
A Standard Sized Phillips Head Screwdriver
The same screwdriver but a short stubby one (index finger length)
A Flathead screwdriver

Method:
1. Slide driver and passenger seat the whole way forward. Hop into the back seat and use the phillipshead screwdriver to undo the 2 screws (1 each side) of the centre console bin.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_d388bb3b.jpg

2. Slide driver and passenger seat all the way back. Slip your fingers under each side of the centre console and pull outwards and upwards, you'll feel 2 pop studs give way. Lift console over the handbrake lever and place aside.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_c84e4934.jpg

3. Undo the two screws you just revealed. Also unscrew the gear knob from the gear stick. It spins for a very long time.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_4ca37169.jpg

4. In each footwell (driver and passenger) is a small pop stud against the centre console, remove both of these.

5. Grip the Centre lower console as shown (2 hands, one had to take a photo :p) and give a sharp yank towards you. It should come free, you're only fighting 2 pop studs here (marked in red).
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_11293292.jpg

6. Reach down into the gap behind the piece you just dislodged and unplug the cigarette lighter and ashtray wires. Now proceed to remove this piece. It's a bit of a jiggle but angle it right and it'll come out.
PROTIP: Place the car into 2nd, 4th, Reverse, or this piece will never come free (Thanks 7ONYD)
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_9655cbf1.jpg

7. Go to the drivers side of the dash, and on the right hand side between the dash and the door, is a small triangular..ish... panel. Stick a flathead screwdriver in and lever it out. There are quite a few pop studs here, work your way around the edges and negotiate them out. Red ones are pop studs, green are more, hinges. Toss this bit aside.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_ee11b201.jpg

8. Undo the 2 screws that were under this panel.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_1d75e61a.jpg

9. i ALWAYS forget to take this combo stud out and always wonder why the next piece wont move.
Open the cubbyhole/sunnies hole, and at the top of it is a small black phillips head screw. This is where the tiny screw driver comes in handy. I'm sure you can remove the cubby box thing but i can never manage to. Undo this screw for a while (maybe 1cm) then pull it out. It's a cross between a screw and a pop stud.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_f4735b9c.jpg

10. Pull gently from the bottom of the drivers kick panel down and towards you. It should all come free. There's a few pop studs to free up.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_587dc1f2.jpg

11. Either side of the steering wheel is a screw, undo these.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_58ebde6a.jpg

12. LOWER STEERING COLUMN TO LOWEST POSITION (important or you'll kill yourself trying to figure out why the top bit wont come off)

13. Grab the top of the dash firmly and pull sharply towards you. Usually this section comes free but the left hand side will be stuck. Work your fingers around the edge and release it. There are 9 pop studs marked in red. DO NOT PULL TOO FAR, as there are cables which must be unplugged.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_17426b1f.jpg

14. Reach behind on the right hand side and unplug (depending on what you have), Rear Foglights, , Front Foglights, Headlight Leveller, Dimmer Switch.
On the left hand side unplug (depending on what you have), Clock, Hazard, Demister, Headlight Washers. The top dash piece can now be jiggled free.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_4164a323.jpg
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_f60e9525.jpg

15. To remove the gauge cluster there are 4 screws, undo these (marked in red). There are some alignment pins on the left and right which you will notice (marked in green). Make sure when reinstalling that these go in. Pull the cluster slowly forward NOT TOO FAR. There are 3 cables that need to be unplugged, look behind it and release these. Then the cluster is free to be removed.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_1f053e21.jpg
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_956ff321.jpg

16. To take off the clear plastic on the front, There are several plastic tabs around the edges, pop these out and then remove (marked in red). Try to remove it straight as these tabs are easy to snap. If you wish to remove the black gauge surround to access the actual gauge faces, Repeat 16 but instead remove the black tabs (marked in green).
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/...h_a9dafc6b.jpg

Reinstallation is the reverse. :)