Instrument Panel Removal
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 579
From: Mays Landing, NJ
Instrument Panel Removal
Is it actually required to lower the steering column to get the instrument panel removed? If the wheel is tilted all the way down is it possible to remove the trim in front of the panel and then the panel itself??
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 429
Likes: 18
From: Slinger Wisconsin
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 579
From: Mays Landing, NJ
Yes you are correct, I have a 91. When I posted it last night I was about to lay my head to the pillow so hurried the post. I asked because the last time I had to lay on my back with my head under the dash (passenger side) I hurt for days. The C4 makes it very hard for older owners to do many self help repairs. I'm planning to remove dash to send to Batee because it is starting blank out at times, plus I want to get the tach working. Tach didn't work when I bought it but since its an auto I didn't feel a rush to have it repaired. So now I have a reason.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 579
From: Mays Landing, NJ
Oh and one additional question, can I get to the bolts without removing lower panel. From what I can see they can only be accessed with panel removal, but I can always hope.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
You have to lower the steering column, but it isn't hard at all.
*Edit: Unscrewing the tilt lever (may be necessary... and the hush panel (including detaching the ALDL connector and foot-well light. Then remove the bracket (two bolts) holding the steering column in place, remove the front bezel, and the rest is pretty straight forward - no need to crawl around under the dash or remove the seat. "Easy-peezy". Nnot difficult at all.
*Edit: Unscrewing the tilt lever (may be necessary... and the hush panel (including detaching the ALDL connector and foot-well light. Then remove the bracket (two bolts) holding the steering column in place, remove the front bezel, and the rest is pretty straight forward - no need to crawl around under the dash or remove the seat. "Easy-peezy". Nnot difficult at all.
Last edited by Paul Workman; Sep 18, 2019 at 09:20 AM. Reason: nomenclature error
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 579
From: Mays Landing, NJ
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
You have to lower the steering column, but it isn't hard at all.
Unscrew the turn signal lever and the hush panel (including detaching the ALDL connector and foot-well light. Then remove the bracket (two bolts) holding the steering column in place, remove the front bezel, and the rest is pretty straight forward - no need to crawl around under the dash or remove the seat. "Easy-peezy". Nnot difficult at all.
Unscrew the turn signal lever and the hush panel (including detaching the ALDL connector and foot-well light. Then remove the bracket (two bolts) holding the steering column in place, remove the front bezel, and the rest is pretty straight forward - no need to crawl around under the dash or remove the seat. "Easy-peezy". Nnot difficult at all.
90% of the work is done while sitting in the driver seat.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 292
Likes: 39
From: San Anselmo California
I removed mine on my 1992 with no real issues. I watched the Batee video and except for removing the tilt lever, it was a piece of cake. I had Batee repair it, but I also had them change all the bulbs while they had it - I figured I didn’t want to take it out again if an old bulb failed.
Last edited by CA1992C4; Sep 18, 2019 at 05:24 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
I've dropped my steering wheel several times, once to change the cluster, once to change the brake booster. I'm too old to be climbing under the dash. I can drop the column by kneeling at the open door or sitting in the seat using along handled ratchet (once the panels are down).
Paul did you mean to say tilt lever not turn signal?
Paul did you mean to say tilt lever not turn signal?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 429
Likes: 18
From: Slinger Wisconsin
Not to offend anyone; kinda making a big deal about nothing. If you need or not to take out tilt lever doesn't really matter. It just unscrews.. literally 10 second job. Much less time than it's taking me to type this post! Take it out and no worries.
EDIT: FYI: If you don't have to lower the steering column place a cloth over the column, it scratches very easily...trust me on this one...I know
EDIT: FYI: If you don't have to lower the steering column place a cloth over the column, it scratches very easily...trust me on this one...I know
Last edited by stabac; Sep 17, 2019 at 09:21 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Yikes!! My bad! I meant the tilt lever might have to be removed. NOT the turn signal stalk (lever)Thanks for correcting!
Last edited by Paul Workman; Sep 18, 2019 at 09:21 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
One could take the seat out a lay upside down still getting in and out is a bitch so this is the best way I found to do this .. I took out the column and replaced it and rebuilt the cluster.. WAs not too bad just make sure you know not to put it all back together .. Label stuff if need to , big help or take pic helps as well ..