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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I already had a crack across the middle, then installed a brand new crack by taking off the right pillar cover.
...dang

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

mine cracked at the thought of removing it. as soon as i put a finger on it it broke

 

ive had mine out tons of times no problems