C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Dash pad removal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 19, 2021 | 03:59 PM
  #1  
JOZW30's Avatar
JOZW30
Thread Starter
Advanced
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 87
Likes: 7
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default Dash pad removal?

Still working on my search skills here (every time I search it looks a the entire forum...).

anyway looking for the trick to pulling the dash pad on my 71 without removing the windshield?

It’s a new windshield and recently installed.

Thanks!
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2021 | 04:10 PM
  #2  
walleyfisher's Avatar
walleyfisher
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,686
Likes: 2,250
From: north of Chicago
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

yes, but its not fun
You have to remove the A pillar moldings (which starts with the overhead pad)
You will need to drop the steering column (prefered)
Remove the windshield wiper plate located above gauges
remove all the screw for the drivers lower dash pad (2) in the door jam, (3) across the top to upper pad, (3) on center gauge stack don't remember if there are any along the bottom
remove all the screw for the passengers lower dash pad (2) in the door jam, (3) across the top to upper pad, (3) on center gauge stack again I don't remember if there are any along the bottom
Now carefully pull the lower dash panel down you will find that the upper dash pad is bolted in (3) place underneath, You should be able to get you hand in there to remove the (3) screws on the underside of the dash pad
You should now be able to tug the dash pad towards you and finagel it out (Its not fun) Its been awhile for me but its a tight fit to get the pad to fit past both A pillars, but tipping at an angle and firm smooth pressure it can be done without breakage
Hope this helps
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2021 | 04:43 PM
  #3  
theandies's Avatar
theandies
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Default

Don't miss the screw behind the windshield wiper switch plate. If you don't already have the AIM I suggest picking one up. It's my "go-to" book.



Reply
Old Feb 19, 2021 | 04:48 PM
  #4  
JOZW30's Avatar
JOZW30
Thread Starter
Advanced
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 87
Likes: 7
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

Thanks for the responses! It’s loose. I have the entire dash and harness our. It just seems like I’m going to have to bend it to make it clear the a-pillar....?

scary

Reply
Old Feb 19, 2021 | 04:57 PM
  #5  
Kev73's Avatar
Kev73
Advanced
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 49
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Default

I just removed mine a few months ago and I did have to bend mine a bit and angle it to get it out. Was definitely nerve racking! Reinstalling it seemed much easier for some reason.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2021 | 06:13 PM
  #6  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default

I'll only add to make sure it's nice and warm in the garage, the pad will need some "flexing" so you want to make sure it's not cold/brittle, bad enough they are old/brittle...
M
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2021 | 06:42 PM
  #7  
JOZW30's Avatar
JOZW30
Thread Starter
Advanced
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 87
Likes: 7
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

Ok I’ll wrestle with it some more. I do want to save it (will wrap in leather). Have not heard good things about the reproduction pads....
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2021 | 11:55 PM
  #8  
Eliredandblack's Avatar
Eliredandblack
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 721
From: Marietta GA
Default

I used a heating pad placed in the center of my dash pad for about thirty minutes, before removal. You want to make sure the old hard vinyl covered board gets soft. On my 73 it was easy to flex the pad in the center. I installed the drivers speaker and then used the heating pad before reinstalling the pad. I did not remove the driver side speedo and tach panel. Go slow, be very gentle.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 20, 2021 | 08:35 AM
  #9  
kansas123's Avatar
kansas123
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Default

Originally Posted by Mooser
I'll only add to make sure it's nice and warm in the garage, the pad will need some "flexing" so you want to make sure it's not cold/brittle, bad enough they are old/brittle...
M
This
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2021 | 11:48 AM
  #10  
ZAKsPop's Avatar
ZAKsPop
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 156
From: Richmond Texas
Default

Reply
Old Feb 20, 2021 | 12:36 PM
  #11  
JOZW30's Avatar
JOZW30
Thread Starter
Advanced
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 87
Likes: 7
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

ZAKsPOP, thanks! Haha feel silly now.

Took two seconds.....
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Dash pad removal?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:50 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE