who has successfully removed upper dash pad?
#1
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I have a guy who has one used for $50 and I need to get it out uncracked. Is there anyone out there that can give me a successful step by step? I know the pillars need to come out. I am thinking that it needs to be heated up to make it less brittle. I am assuming that it should be lifted from both sides and not from one end to the other. Any special pry tools? The dash on my Z has already been removed so I can see where the clips and velcro is, but I also see a little hook in the front middle? I will be attempting the removal on Saturday, so any help would be appreciated. Lance my93z28camaro@yahoo.com
#2
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i would tell the guy to remove it then youll pay. only time i have gotten one off in one piece is when it was fairly new. both older ones i have removed came off in pieces.
#3
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Sorry, but if it's original you'll never get it off in one piece. I've tried pulling salvage yard pieces several times and I always ended up with a bucket full of pieces.
Starting from both sides is a good idea but the velcro-like pads further forward will screw you.
That panel has been sun-baked for a decade or more and it is brittle. Any flexing will cause it to crack and pieces to fly.
Warming the panel with a blow drier or heat gun is also a good idea but, I'm afraid, not good enough.
Save your pennies for a new one.
Starting from both sides is a good idea but the velcro-like pads further forward will screw you.
That panel has been sun-baked for a decade or more and it is brittle. Any flexing will cause it to crack and pieces to fly.
Warming the panel with a blow drier or heat gun is also a good idea but, I'm afraid, not good enough.
Save your pennies for a new one.
#4
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I broke the one in my old 96 taking it off, as careful as I was. The hangup was those darn tabs on the pad are a real tight fit into the dash frame. If there was a way to get under the tabs and push them up, that would help.
#6
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TO help these parts live longer dont use silicone "protectants" on them. Armor All is the worst for it. Silicone is a natural drying agent, why do you think they keep a silicone bead package in shoe boxes? To keep moisture out of the box. So far I have been lucky, I have only had to take mine out once and it came out clean. I am hoping I dont have to do it again.
Massey
Massey
#7
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Maybe it's the climate up here, but I've had mine (which is factory original) in and out at least half a dozen times...and it's still as flexible and pliable as they day it was new (I imagine).
Maybe check car-part.com and see about getting one from the Vancouver, BC area? Anywhere in Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley would do, and there's tons of wreckers.
Maybe check car-part.com and see about getting one from the Vancouver, BC area? Anywhere in Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley would do, and there's tons of wreckers.
#8
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Take the 2 pillar panels out then slowly put your hand underneath to the back and gentaly lift up. I took mine out when it was bellow 0* F and it didn't crack. It's something you want to do slowly and carefully. Put hand in make a fist and rotate your hand. Start at one end and go over a foot doing this. Poop the front lip up first doing the same thing.