Removing upper trim pad
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Woodway TX
Removing upper trim pad
Ah yes tis the time of year racing is over & time to work on my 96 LT4 that I Auto x. The heater core went out a couple of months ago & I by passed it until now. I am trying to remove the upper dash panel following the GM Service manual, I have removed all of the srews & nuts & the left side is lifting up with out a problem. The right side will not come up and feels like there are some screws or nuts that I have missed up close to the windshield even though I have removed all shown on fig. 32.
Big question, do I have to remove the air bag to get at some that are not mentioned in the service manual?
Any help will be appre.
Thanks, Don
Big question, do I have to remove the air bag to get at some that are not mentioned in the service manual?
Any help will be appre.
Thanks, Don
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 4
From: I celebrate their entire catalog
No, you do not have to remove the airbag. If I remember right, you can't remove the airbag until you get the dash pad out. In the center of the dash pad up by the windshild is that little sensor. Did you pry up the plastic panel and get the screws from under that? If you did get all the screws the pad should pull forward and release, there are metal fingers on the front lip of the pad that catch and hold it down into place.
I think I also removed the side trim pieces that come down the A post, just for more clearance.
I think I also removed the side trim pieces that come down the A post, just for more clearance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
there are torx screws on each SIDE of the dash pad , some are under the fuse box cover. Also, trim around instrument cluster needs to come out. Also, if you lower the steering column (takes 5 minutes) the cluster bezel comes out much easier. You are just missing a few hidden screws
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Woodway TX
I have removed all of the Torx screws from both sides & also from the defroster, that is what is confusing me. I can lift the dash pad on the drivers side, no problem, I have to be missing something on the pass. side, I can lift it up a little bit but can not lift it up to pull it out. It is like there is something left to un do that I can't find that is not listed in the manual. The clips that hold the front of the pad couldn't be doing this could they? I should at this point be able to lift the pad up & pull it back to remove it, not working. Thanks, keep trying
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
I don't want you to tear anything up but I suspect a hidden torx. There (going by memory) some under side defrost vent. Also pulling pillar trim helps. The dash pulls STRAIGHT back and out not UP and out. It really slides out but doesn't take lot of effort. Sunload sensoRplate and screws out
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Woodway TX
I don't want you to tear anything up but I suspect a hidden torx. There (going by memory) some under side defrost vent. Also pulling pillar trim helps. The dash pulls STRAIGHT back and out not UP and out. It really slides out but doesn't take lot of effort. Sunload sensoRplate and screws out
There is got to be something holding it that the GM Manual isn't showing.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Woodway TX
Pulled the pillar cover it helped to see a little more but no help. I took a long flat bar & ran it along between the windshield & dash pad in case the windshield was replaced at one time to see if ther was any glue, but still no luck. I have now managed to break the plastic under the cover by pulling & lifting. Again RATS!
There is got to be something holding it that the GM Manual isn't showing.
There is got to be something holding it that the GM Manual isn't showing.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Woodway TX
Please do because I am pulling my hair out at this point. I feel like I am stupid or some thing, duh what is that Black round thing that the car rolls on is the the fendor?!!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Woodway TX
OK for future ref. I talked with Mark who salvages C3's & C4's he told me to push the drivers side back down into pos. & pull out the pass. side first do not lift like the service man. says and.... drum roll ... it came right out like it is supposed to. Thank you for all of your sug. & helping me out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 9
From: Winston Ga.
so can you give us a count/location of all the screws to take the pad out?
I have the FSM but its at the house and I am wondering what trouble its going to be to replace my PKE module. I understand its best to pull the pad to access it.
I have the FSM but its at the house and I am wondering what trouble its going to be to replace my PKE module. I understand its best to pull the pad to access it.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
I see you have the dash pad out. I just changed the heater core in my LT-1 95 this summer. You will have to unbolt the air bag module from the top. No problem if you have the battery disconnected. You will also have to remove the dash "cage" from the front. Unbolt the Bridge that holds the relays running right and left. Thios will help you remove the plastic around the fuse block. I had to clip zip ties until I could move the wiring harnesses more or less out of the way. The heater core housing is held together by brass colored torx screws. I think 4 on the bottom and left side accessable from underneith and 3 or 4 on top accessable from where the air bag module was. Pull out the back of the heater enclosure. You have to just keep removing and loosening things until the core will slide back and drop down. In reassembling it will take a lot of patience to get the core in place and close the clam shell cover correctly. Don't give up. POS job. Good Luck
