how to remove panel on driver side
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 511
Likes: 17
From: Coralville Ia
how to remove panel on driver side
Guys,
I'm trying to remove the panel on the drivers side under dash, not the outer knee panel, I'm talking about the inner one next to firewall. I know it's just 2 push pins, and a star washer . The pins came off fine. It's that other stupid press on clamp thingy I cannot get off. There has to be a trick I am missing. Yes, I searched forum but did not really see what I was looking for.
Thanks,
JesseJay
I'm trying to remove the panel on the drivers side under dash, not the outer knee panel, I'm talking about the inner one next to firewall. I know it's just 2 push pins, and a star washer . The pins came off fine. It's that other stupid press on clamp thingy I cannot get off. There has to be a trick I am missing. Yes, I searched forum but did not really see what I was looking for.
Thanks,
JesseJay
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
I've done it before...but can't remember anything this early in the morning. When I get around to going down to the shop and looking at it, I'll post something.....still on my first cup of coffee.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
haha...you have to destroy it to get it off....the harder you pull the stronger it gets. Use some huge channel lock pliers. Once off never replace that panel...it's useless....mine's been sitting on a shelf for over 10 years.
Here's my '2 fister' pliers I used.....
Here's my '2 fister' pliers I used.....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
The early C5s, I think up to 99, had this ridiculous fastening system. GM later realized the stupidity, probably from dealer technician complaints, and went to a more user friendly design. I have a 97 so I can't say what the newer design is, but just guessing, I would think it would be a threaded nut or a stamped nut that can be rotated off and on.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 1
From: ON THE RED RIVER TEXAS
I just did this this weekend actually. I took a small flathead screwdriver and pried up a few of the inside edges of the washer to get it loose from the stud.. They are cut into sections... It came right off after that..
Then I just bent them back down flat and reinstalled it back onto the stud with a pair of pliers like in the above pic... Kinda hammered it back on..
Then I just bent them back down flat and reinstalled it back onto the stud with a pair of pliers like in the above pic... Kinda hammered it back on..
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
The newer design should be something like this...the issue is the retention stud is not threaded. This requires a self threading nut like this Tinnerman design with the barbs, which are optional and overkill. A standard wrench is all that is needed to back the nut off.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I just did this this weekend actually. I took a small flathead screwdriver and pried up a few of the inside edges of the washer to get it loose from the stud.. They are cut into sections... It came right off after that..
Then I just bent them back down flat and reinstalled it back onto the stud with a pair of pliers like in the above pic... Kinda hammered it back on..
Then I just bent them back down flat and reinstalled it back onto the stud with a pair of pliers like in the above pic... Kinda hammered it back on..
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 1
From: ON THE RED RIVER TEXAS
HaHa!, I'm 5"10 and I had the seat all the way back and I was laying down on the floor with one of my feet between the seats and one of them hanging out the door... prying that washer loose only took 5 min-I didn't even have to lie down... But changing out the drivers' side A/C actuator took a couple hours w several breaks to get up and stretch my back out...
Let's just say I was feeling it at the end of the day. But now I'll have heat on my side of the car this winter!!
Let's just say I was feeling it at the end of the day. But now I'll have heat on my side of the car this winter!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----