Hey guys... I've got all the interior out of the car except the dash where the speed/tach is ... I read somewhere to drop the steering column, So i removed those two bolts and it only goes down an inch or so... Anyone got any pix on how this is done?

 

I don't know if it was right or not but I loosened the 2 nuts on the firewall to drop mine enough to get the dash out. Then I snugged them right back up till time to install the new dash.

 

I removed the steering wheel and it came out no problem. New steering wheel going on anyway.

 

I just did this a couple weeks ago for the first time. You're on the right track...remove the two bolts and drop the steering column. Dropping it a couple of inches should be all that you need to get the lower dash pad out. Remember, you're going to need to disconnect the spedo, tach, headlight switch, etc before pulling the hole thing out. It's a PITA. Good luck.

 

Carefull to not let it hang too low and rip the rag joint or damage the column shaft.

 

an inch or so is all it will drop.

 

When you drop the column be sure to loosen the bolts on the firewall as well as the ones on the underside of the dash. If you don't you can damage the lower part of the column.

I put a box on the drivers seat to rest the steering wheel on so it wouldn't be under stress or fall too low.

Removing it completely is no big deal, will give you lots of extra access and is a good time to replace the rag joint and maybe rebuilt the column which is what I eventually did.

 

 

I got the two bolts under the dash, but those on the fire wall i can't break loose , any ideas?

 

Since I did the paper below, I've often thought of doing a better revision. We surely have enough pictures to do one.

I know it says to take the two bolts loose from the column but I personally think it's easier to just remove the column completely vs. fighting with it to do the dash pad.

If you remove the two bolts from under the pad, then remove the bolts at the firewall, and then remove the bolt at the rag joint.. Un-plug the ignition switch and the column should pull out of the way. It just makes sense and also keeps you from denting the U section of the lower dash pad when re-installing...

I think the pictures in this will help you both take and and install your pads.

Willcox

http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=105

 

I found this picture hidden on our site.. it will help you id the bolts that need to come out. Number 5 is the lower bolt you are looking for and if you want to remove the column completely then remove 9 and number 4.

 

I did this a while ago. The 2 bolts under the dash wasn't enough. I disconnected the rag joint at the steering box and the wheel drops so you can easily remove the speedo and tach facia. Good luck.

 

Number 5 is the two bolts i removed and it's still not dropping down enough for me to pull the dash out and DANGIT i cracked it beside the tach and steering column... What's the trick? This is a pain in the BUTT! Can you repair the dash?

 

The column is not going to move downward very far and in fact you'll have to push it downward to gain much more than an inch or so. You are three bolts and one connector from having the steering column out of the car, I would go for it that way.

Willcox

 

I did this on my '70 L46 last night. An impact wrench with extension and universal made the firewall nuts a non-issue, and I've got rust in most places. I did loosen the rag joint bolt, and used an air chisel to carefully spread the rag joint collar. Once that was done, the column just laid down on the floor. This might not be your issue, though. I struggled with getting it out, and ended up taking the tach and speedo bezels apart to get them out and now understand why it is such a PITA. The speedo and tach cables are connected to the back of the guages with a spring clip. There (at least on my car) is not enough slack to pull this part of the dash forward to access the spring clip on these cables to disconnect them. I ended up removing the two phillips screws at the upper corner of each guage that holds the guage and bezels to the dash, and inverted to get up under the dash to remove the two phillips screws, one at the bottom of the tach and one at the bottom of the speedo (actually do the 2 bottom screws first to prevent stress on the plastic). Once these three screws per guage are removed, carefully slide the guage out of the dash panel and the panel can be removed easily. Then you can tilt each guage independantly and remove the cables and wiring harness. Just pull the bulbs firmly or wiggle and they'll pop right out.

Knowing what I do now, it may be possible to snake your hand in from behind or underneath and push on the spring clip to release the cables. I think there is enough wiring harness slack to allow the dash pad to tilt if the cables are loose. To do this, locate the cable from below or behind and slide your finger along until you feel the clip right at the back of the guage. Push the clip toward the back of the guage while pulling on the cable. Mine slid right out. Good luck