dash remove
- Thread starter issak
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There's a guy on youtube that shows how to remove a dash from a 78-80 cutlass, fairly thoroughly. He also commented that pretty much all gbody dash removal is the same. I can't remember exactly what the channels called but I'm sure if you search gbody dash removal, you'll find it.
The ac has rods and vacuum lines going to it the radio I don't remember but I think it has one clip to it the gauges have to clips to push in be careful not to damage the backing. The speedo cable there is a tap that you hold down in the back to pull it out. Ac/ ducts as well. Remember to back and tag and label everything memory on last till your first night
It's not that hard really. Seems daunting but once you do it goes quick. Biggest PITA I had was removing the wiring harness from the clips on the underside of the dash.
Just keep looking, unplugging and unscrewing. My cutlass wasn't bad the first time I did it, unhooking the speedo cable in my Malibu was a real pain in the *ss. The clips Streetbu's talking about look like this, and are taped to the wire harness, which is entirely wrapped with tape, which makes it difficult:
Speakers can usually be unhooked last, after you pull the dash away from the window. You'll want to loosen the nuts that hold up your steering column to lower it as much as possible, but don't take the nuts right off so you still can lean on the wheel a bit. This especially helps getting the cluster out. The radio has to be taken out, of course, but most of the heater controls can just be unscrewed and left in the car, so you don't have to mess with all the cables and/or vacuum lines. While you're in there look for any grounds that are screwed to the metal frame of the dash, there will be at least one.
Take all the screws out of the cluster face. The rear defrost switch will come with the face, but the plug in on the back can be pretty tight. Make sure to have a flashlight and you'll be able to see the back of it when you pull the face away from the dash, there are 1 or 2 release clips on it. If you have the push pull headlight switch, you can usually get the cluster face off without removing the knob, but be careful and don't force it. Might actually help to pull the knob out (turn headlights on.) Or you can use a pick to release the clip inside the back of the knob, but I always have a hell of a time with those. Once the face is off you can start unscrewing the cluster. I'm not sure which cluster you have, but mine is a sweep speedo. I took mine apart a little more than I had to on the Malibu so I don't remember exactly what really needs to come off, but its better to take more off then miss a screw somewhere and break something. I am sure that I didn't have to take off my shifter indicator though (column shift,) which is good because the tiny cable that operates it usually breaks. Lastly you have to unhook the speedo cable. As long as you can get your fingers in there it's not bad at all. I'm sure it's covered in that video I didn't watch but it looks like this:
Pay no attention to the arrow, that's just the only pic I could find. The cable goes onto the tube and that round black clip holds it on. You just have to push down on the tab on the bottom of that clip, and pull the cable back.
You'll have to take off any courtesy lights that are mounted on the bottom of the dash. One of mine had a screw, the other had a clip built on the bottom of it which was hard to figure out at first. There are 5 (I think) hex head screws that run along the bottom of the dash, possibly a ground wire, and a few screws at the base of the windshield where the defrost vents are. I think my Cutlass might have had screws under the speaker grille, but my Malibu definitely doesn't. There is a plate over the steering column that looks like it needs to be taken out, but the holes are slotted right to the edge so it will slide out with the dash.
I just noticed that this post is a week old and this dash might already be out, but I'm posting it anyway so it's not all for nothing...
The best information I can give you is to separate and label all the screws and all the wire connectors. This will make it way easier to re-route the wiring harness and avoid having leftover screws. This is something I never do because I'm in a hurry and always regret it when I have to fumble through re-assembly
Speakers can usually be unhooked last, after you pull the dash away from the window. You'll want to loosen the nuts that hold up your steering column to lower it as much as possible, but don't take the nuts right off so you still can lean on the wheel a bit. This especially helps getting the cluster out. The radio has to be taken out, of course, but most of the heater controls can just be unscrewed and left in the car, so you don't have to mess with all the cables and/or vacuum lines. While you're in there look for any grounds that are screwed to the metal frame of the dash, there will be at least one.
Take all the screws out of the cluster face. The rear defrost switch will come with the face, but the plug in on the back can be pretty tight. Make sure to have a flashlight and you'll be able to see the back of it when you pull the face away from the dash, there are 1 or 2 release clips on it. If you have the push pull headlight switch, you can usually get the cluster face off without removing the knob, but be careful and don't force it. Might actually help to pull the knob out (turn headlights on.) Or you can use a pick to release the clip inside the back of the knob, but I always have a hell of a time with those. Once the face is off you can start unscrewing the cluster. I'm not sure which cluster you have, but mine is a sweep speedo. I took mine apart a little more than I had to on the Malibu so I don't remember exactly what really needs to come off, but its better to take more off then miss a screw somewhere and break something. I am sure that I didn't have to take off my shifter indicator though (column shift,) which is good because the tiny cable that operates it usually breaks. Lastly you have to unhook the speedo cable. As long as you can get your fingers in there it's not bad at all. I'm sure it's covered in that video I didn't watch but it looks like this:
Pay no attention to the arrow, that's just the only pic I could find. The cable goes onto the tube and that round black clip holds it on. You just have to push down on the tab on the bottom of that clip, and pull the cable back.
You'll have to take off any courtesy lights that are mounted on the bottom of the dash. One of mine had a screw, the other had a clip built on the bottom of it which was hard to figure out at first. There are 5 (I think) hex head screws that run along the bottom of the dash, possibly a ground wire, and a few screws at the base of the windshield where the defrost vents are. I think my Cutlass might have had screws under the speaker grille, but my Malibu definitely doesn't. There is a plate over the steering column that looks like it needs to be taken out, but the holes are slotted right to the edge so it will slide out with the dash.
I just noticed that this post is a week old and this dash might already be out, but I'm posting it anyway so it's not all for nothing...
The best information I can give you is to separate and label all the screws and all the wire connectors. This will make it way easier to re-route the wiring harness and avoid having leftover screws. This is something I never do because I'm in a hurry and always regret it when I have to fumble through re-assembly
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I just did this, and overall I was feeling real comfortable about it, until it came to the gauge area. I don't know if I overdid it taking it apart or what, but to get the speedo cable out and to get to all the little electrical plugs I basically had to dismantle 90% of the instrument panel area and I pray that I can figure out how to get it back together. I baggied and labeled everything, but still....
Don't be intimidated...just be cautious taking things apart and where they go back. It's not difficult..
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