Interior Restoration Help?

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Oct 24, 2003 | 06:19 PM

snakey

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Intermediate

Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Greenville NC

Interior Restoration Help?

How do you remove the headlight bezel (the round black collar that says "Lights") from the dash. I'm thinking this has to come off so the entire switch assembly can be removed. I'm taking all the hardware off the left dash side so I can paint the skin.

Thanks for the help!

Oct 24, 2003 | 06:46 PM

69stingray

Burning Brakes

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From: Milford NH

Re: Interior Restoration Help? (snakey)

You have to remove the cover from under the steering column, then unscrew the panel itself. There is a hidden fastener underneth. I will see if I can find some good pictures.

Oct 24, 2003 | 07:01 PM

snakey

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From: Greenville NC

Re: Interior Restoration Help? (69stingray)

69stingray,

Thanks for the reply. I already have the entire interior and dash out of the car. Everything is off the left dash pad except for the little black (1 inch diameter) plastic collar that holds the entire headlight switch assembly onto the back of the left dash pad. This little piece is plastic and I don't want to Bubba-break it by using to much force.

Thanks,

Oct 24, 2003 | 07:04 PM

GaryS

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From: Moon Township PA

Re: Interior Restoration Help? (snakey)

I think you are talking about the actual handle that you pull to raise the lights? If so, then you have to partially extend the switch and then reach up behind the light switch and depress a small button on the top. You then pull the "lights" handle the remaining way out. Once that is out, you merely unscrew a retainer. Takes about 5 minutes and a scrape or two, unless you have A/C. Then it is easier to remove some of the ducting to snake your hand up behind the dash.
Gary

Oct 24, 2003 | 07:19 PM

snakey

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From: Greenville NC

Re: Interior Restoration Help? Here's a pic

Many thanks for the replies. A picture is worth a thousand words. The round piece is what i need to remove. Is it threaded on?

Oct 24, 2003 | 09:32 PM

RMS73

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From: Chester Virginia

Re: Interior Restoration Help? Here's a pic (snakey)

From memory, I believe your unscrew the inner ring from the light switch. The inner ring has four notches in it to turn it by. A "special" tool my be needed, but I remember just using two screwdrivers. The light switch ****/pull rod is to be removed first by depressing a button on the side of the light switch and then pull the ****/rod out of the switch. Then you can unscrew the inner ring and remove the plastic bezel.
The black plastic **** is not suppose to come off the pull rod as yours appears to have.
Roger

Oct 24, 2003 | 09:56 PM

snakey

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From: Greenville NC

Re: Interior Restoration Help? GOT IT!

Thanks to everyone. Figured it out and removed it without breaking anything. RMS73, The **** has been missing since I bought the car. Hopefully, I can find and replace just the ****.

BTW. It did take a "special tooL' to remove the inner metal ring. In my case it was a pair of needle nose pliers!

Oct 24, 2003 | 10:48 PM

trw

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From: Crescent City, CA

Re: Interior Restoration Help? GOT IT! (snakey)

It did take a "special tooL' to remove the inner metal ring. In my case it was a pair of needle nose pliers!

Gotta love those "special tools"

You should be able to find the **** and rod, do not think they are supposed to come apart.

Terry