Top Dash Removal
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 558
Likes: 22
From: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Top Dash Removal
Trying to remove the top dash to get at the light switch. I have everything loose, and speakers removed, but cannot seem to remove the dash past the windshield posts without bending it. I'm a little afraid of doing this for fear of cracking the vinyl. I know this part is expensive!! Anyone done this before?? Any help is appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Re: Top Dash Removal (Kim72)
Kim72,
I removed the dash in my '74 by bending it in the middle and that pulled the ends in and out it came. ;) HOWEVER, when I went to put it in, as soon as I bent it, the thing cracked in a couple of places :nopity Because I live in Australia and new '74 dashes are thin on the ground, I left it in. From what I have read in the various Corvette magazines, as well as common knowledge of plastics, then the application of heat will "soften" the plastic and allow it more flexibility before it will crack. As you are in the middle of winter there, you may find it difficult to get it warm enough. All I can suggest is to take it into a small room with a good heater and let it get as warm as possible then quickly rush out to the car and fit it while it's still warm.
Good luck
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
I removed the dash in my '74 by bending it in the middle and that pulled the ends in and out it came. ;) HOWEVER, when I went to put it in, as soon as I bent it, the thing cracked in a couple of places :nopity Because I live in Australia and new '74 dashes are thin on the ground, I left it in. From what I have read in the various Corvette magazines, as well as common knowledge of plastics, then the application of heat will "soften" the plastic and allow it more flexibility before it will crack. As you are in the middle of winter there, you may find it difficult to get it warm enough. All I can suggest is to take it into a small room with a good heater and let it get as warm as possible then quickly rush out to the car and fit it while it's still warm.
Good luck
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 5
From: Orlando,Fl,USA
Re: Top Dash Removal (aussiejohn)
I was able to get to the switch without removing it. I had enough space to bend it up so I could get my hand inside and from the side i could see all of it.
