C6 HUD repair tips
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 181
Likes: 32
C6 HUD repair tips
I wanted to share my experience in repairing my HUD to assist others. I actually had to pull my HUD twice because there was a mirror alignment issue after the first repair.
First this video, though not completely thorough, is a good start.
These are some tools I recommend you have. Some will surprise you.
1. A bright headlamp. Trust me it is dark where the HUD is and you do not want to be holding a flashlight or hoping the light in your garage is enough. I used the Foxelli with great success.
2. Electrical connection removal tools, an inspection mirror and a small flat head screwdriver. The toughest part of this job are removing the electrical connections behind the speedo assembly and the front dash cover(your vents etc). Their are many and they are tough to get off. An inspection mirror helps you see the bottom of these terminals so you can push in the tab and remove them. Sometimes I used a flat head screwdriver and sometimes I used a electrical connection tool off of Amazon that works well.
3. A survival saw and ac duct tape. It will cut through the upper air duct you need to remove like butter. Put a towel underneath to catch all of the plastic shavings and be sure to cut as far to the right as possible. Also when reinstalling using ac duct tape preinstall some tape on the top of the duct. It is hard to get the tape installed properly once you put it in place.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nashua-T...7792/100030120
4. A 10mm flex head ratchet. This tool is ESSENTIAL to removing the two bolts that hold the HUD in place. You cannot get a socket back there and it is on too tight to remove with your hand. Invest in this tool and apply some CRC to the stud to make re-installation of the bolts easier.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-10...10MM/202942515
5. A Milwaukee ratchet. This is one of my most frequently used tools. Fast and powerful it makes removing screws and bolts much easier.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...7-20/203111681
6. A towel. You will need this to cover your steering wheel. Trust me you still scratch and mar it badly taking the speedo assembly and HUD out of the dash if you dont use one. I taped it using painters tape.
7. Stainless steel washers. You will need these to install under every screw in the HUD. They will all be rusty and destroying the plastic underneath of them. I bought an assortment from Lowes.
8. Picture frame hangers. I used these to form a flat surface where the plastic had worn under the screw heads. I would flatten the hanger, use a Dremel tool to cut it to length and use the hole thats already in the picture hanger to run my screw through. It worked like a charm!
Now here are some tips:
1. For each electrical connection attach a label using painters tape. You not only do not want to forget to reinstall them all but you want to remember where they go!
2. Do not be afraid to tug hard on the larger connections. They are in their tight.
3. Have adequate lighting. The further into the job you go the darker things get.
4. When you reassemble the pivot inside the HUD(the one with the gearing that moves the mirror) make sure it is sitting perfectly straight! Mine was slightly off and when I reinstalled the HUD the HUD display would not move down enough. So I had to pull the HUD out all over again.
5. CRC the HUD mounting studs to make installing the nuts easier.
6. I did not cut my HUD to reinstall it as many have. I used a very large and long flat head screwdriver and pried the HUD mounting ears into place. The plastic is strong and will not break.
7. Be sure to clean the glass inside the HUD thoroughly.
8. Use this opportunity to open your speedo assembly and clean the inside and outside lens with plastic polish. Mine looked night and day afterwards.
9. For those of you with a ragtop like me-you have an extra switch on the dash for your top up/down. This switch is the only one with an electrical connection held in by small metal clips on each side. Do not lose them!
I hope this helps everyone. The first time I took the HUD out it took me three hours taking my time. The second time it took 35 minutes with most of that time due to the electrical connections.
First this video, though not completely thorough, is a good start.
These are some tools I recommend you have. Some will surprise you.
1. A bright headlamp. Trust me it is dark where the HUD is and you do not want to be holding a flashlight or hoping the light in your garage is enough. I used the Foxelli with great success.
2. Electrical connection removal tools, an inspection mirror and a small flat head screwdriver. The toughest part of this job are removing the electrical connections behind the speedo assembly and the front dash cover(your vents etc). Their are many and they are tough to get off. An inspection mirror helps you see the bottom of these terminals so you can push in the tab and remove them. Sometimes I used a flat head screwdriver and sometimes I used a electrical connection tool off of Amazon that works well.
3. A survival saw and ac duct tape. It will cut through the upper air duct you need to remove like butter. Put a towel underneath to catch all of the plastic shavings and be sure to cut as far to the right as possible. Also when reinstalling using ac duct tape preinstall some tape on the top of the duct. It is hard to get the tape installed properly once you put it in place.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nashua-T...7792/100030120
4. A 10mm flex head ratchet. This tool is ESSENTIAL to removing the two bolts that hold the HUD in place. You cannot get a socket back there and it is on too tight to remove with your hand. Invest in this tool and apply some CRC to the stud to make re-installation of the bolts easier.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-10...10MM/202942515
5. A Milwaukee ratchet. This is one of my most frequently used tools. Fast and powerful it makes removing screws and bolts much easier.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...7-20/203111681
6. A towel. You will need this to cover your steering wheel. Trust me you still scratch and mar it badly taking the speedo assembly and HUD out of the dash if you dont use one. I taped it using painters tape.
7. Stainless steel washers. You will need these to install under every screw in the HUD. They will all be rusty and destroying the plastic underneath of them. I bought an assortment from Lowes.
8. Picture frame hangers. I used these to form a flat surface where the plastic had worn under the screw heads. I would flatten the hanger, use a Dremel tool to cut it to length and use the hole thats already in the picture hanger to run my screw through. It worked like a charm!
Now here are some tips:
1. For each electrical connection attach a label using painters tape. You not only do not want to forget to reinstall them all but you want to remember where they go!
2. Do not be afraid to tug hard on the larger connections. They are in their tight.
3. Have adequate lighting. The further into the job you go the darker things get.
4. When you reassemble the pivot inside the HUD(the one with the gearing that moves the mirror) make sure it is sitting perfectly straight! Mine was slightly off and when I reinstalled the HUD the HUD display would not move down enough. So I had to pull the HUD out all over again.
5. CRC the HUD mounting studs to make installing the nuts easier.
6. I did not cut my HUD to reinstall it as many have. I used a very large and long flat head screwdriver and pried the HUD mounting ears into place. The plastic is strong and will not break.
7. Be sure to clean the glass inside the HUD thoroughly.
8. Use this opportunity to open your speedo assembly and clean the inside and outside lens with plastic polish. Mine looked night and day afterwards.
9. For those of you with a ragtop like me-you have an extra switch on the dash for your top up/down. This switch is the only one with an electrical connection held in by small metal clips on each side. Do not lose them!
I hope this helps everyone. The first time I took the HUD out it took me three hours taking my time. The second time it took 35 minutes with most of that time due to the electrical connections.
Last edited by Showdown22; Dec 29, 2019 at 07:14 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 181
Likes: 32
BTW out of curiosity I called my local GM dealer to get price/avaliability on a new HUD. They told me it is exchange only and the price was @$350 and it would take a few days to get it.
Should my HUD go down again I will just replace it. At one point I didnt think it was wise to reinstall a part with failed plastic all over and rusted screws.
Should my HUD go down again I will just replace it. At one point I didnt think it was wise to reinstall a part with failed plastic all over and rusted screws.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
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