Damn BeastSS was correct! taking out the dash was no piece of cake. even more of a bitch is the damn HVAC assembly... I found 4 more bolts holding the damn thing...after I was absolutely positive I had got them all <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Almost out though...then the reconstruction begins <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> whooohoooo!

Oh yeah ...why in the HELL did gm lay that sticky *** rubber dynatmatt crap on the top of the dash. I know for noise reduction but DAMN....I don't even want to think about scraping that **** out.

 

How did you get it out? any tricks or tips on tricky points? I've messed with it before and gave up do to lack of time.

 

Yeah I can give some suggestions...I'll try and post them tomorrow though. I was gonna photo the whole damn thing, but I forgot my camera <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> .

 

Like the others have mentioned before...it is a major undertaking.

A helms manual is a MUST, it will guide you in the order to remove stuff which will speed up things. They biggest benefit I got from it though is the technical drawings it has of the removals...they show right where the fastners/screws/bolts are located.

The part it lacked...it did not specify to drop the steering column. When you start this job you start by removing the underside insulators(covers) of the dash to disarm the airbags...man right then you should drop the steering column. It will make it MUCH easier to pull the instrument cluster, and then the whole instrument panel carrier.

The Helms manual seemed to lack instructions on removing the whole heater core housing assembly, this is what was a pain. Once you get the dash out. You'll see 4-5 big screws on the inside that come out easy. what you don't see are 4-5 screws that come out from the engine bay side, and are a major pain in the but to get too. Make it easier...pull the pcm, unhook the passenger side coil pack bracket, and have someone to help you with a flash light. A 3/8ths drive ratchet with lots of extention, and a universal worked well to get these screws (10mm). tape your extensions together, stick some tape around the universal ( helps hold its position ), and I also grabbed some of that sticky gummy stuff of the floorboard under the dash and loaded it into the socket ( made the screws stick in the socket when I removed them )...all of that helps keep you from loosing your tools, and the screws in the engine compartment.

once you get all the screws out the whole HVAC housing will easilly move into the passenger compartment a few inches..if it doesn't...you haven't got all the screws out.

It will not completely come out... part of the housing which is located right behind where the radio is located...is bolted from the engine side (good grief)... That bolt would be VERY difficult to get too...I opted to use some elbow grease, and rip it away. Once that is free...you can remove the whole thing heater hoses and all by pulling it into the passenger compartment and then out the passenger door.

You'll also find a thick rubber matt with sound deadener that is form fitted to the firewall...it was probably the first piece installed in the passenger compartment, since it is around EVERYTHING, and completely covers from the top of the dash support down to the floorboard. A good box cutting tool with plenty of new blades will help you if you want to get it out. But it is a real time consuming, uncomfortable mother to get it all removed from around, and behind the pedal assemblies, and steering column.

Definately a pain in the ****!

 

Yep, really a pain for big guys like us huh <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
We broke that center bolt as well, there is no way to get to that one! The time to do it is when the motor is out.

Dave
ARE/FASTECH 432
www.thebeasst.com