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I have seen the "How to" posts on removing the drivers and passenger side dash trim sections on here BUT I need to know if it is possible to go further and remove the whole dash pad for 3LT trim repair?
I don't want to get the windshield removed because I live in the UK so any professional windscreen repair company here wouldn't know where to start with a Corvette let alone source a new one if it gets damaged.
So is there any way of getting it off and out?
I just bought this car and it looks like it has sat in direct sunlight for a while so the leather shrank and lifted.
Do yourself a favor, take it to a certified Corvette tech. You literally have to remove the steering wheel and dismantle the entire dash from the console to the windshield. It is a very complex job for an untrained individual. If you are under warranty, you're in luck. If not, pony up the cash and move on. I've read where the job is roughly $3,000 American. It has been noted that if you have a cooperative dealership that will go to bat for you, sometimes GM will authorize the repair at a reduced cost to you. I read in one instance where an owner only had to pay $900 after negotiating with GM.
Do yourself a favor, take it to a certified Corvette tech. You literally have to remove the steering wheel and dismantle the entire dash from the console to the windshield. It is a very complex job for an untrained individual. If you are under warranty, you're in luck. If not, pony up the cash and move on. I've read where the job is roughly $3,000 American. It has been noted that if you have a cooperative dealership that will go to bat for you, sometimes GM will authorize the repair at a reduced cost to you. I read in one instance where an owner only had to pay $900 after negotiating with GM.
I will struggle to find a certified corvette tech and no it's not under warranty it is a USA model imported to the UK.
There is only one authorized Corvette sales outlet I know of in the UK and one other authorized to work on Chevrolet cars. Both in different parts of England and both hundreds of miles from me.
Complex is not an issue for me. Specialist tools needed may be.
Perhaps removing the windshield to gain access is the easier route. But still tricky cutting the seal at the base of the glass without the specialist tool..
I will struggle to find a certified corvette tech within hundreds of miles and no it's not under warranty it is a USA model imported to the UK.
Well, in that case, it's up to you to get the job done. Just take a lot of pictures of your disassembly to ensure assembly goes smoothly. One word of caution. My dealership refused two replacement dashes before accepting the third. Inspect your new dash carefully before accepting it. I hate coming off like a Dutch Uncle but I've been through the process. It's definitely something you only want to do once. Good luck! 👍🏻 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻
Get a subscription to the service manual on alldatadiy.com. I don't think your being in the UK will prevent you from doing that. You should be able to find everything you need in there. If it helps prevent you from breaking even one trim piece, it'll have paid for itself.
It's going to be a very big job. But I think it's very possible if you have patience.
Get yourself something like this. It'll help when removing some of the clips.
Well, in that case, it's up to you to get the job done. Just take a lot of pictures of your disassembly to ensure assembly goes smoothly. One word of caution. My dealership refused two replacement dashes before accepting the third. Inspect your new dash carefully before accepting it. I hate coming off like a Dutch Uncle but I've been through the process. It's definitely something you only want to do once. Good luck! 👍🏻 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻
I don't want a replacement dash pad. I can fix this one if I could just get to it. ;-)
Get a subscription to the service manual on alldatadiy.com. I don't think your being in the UK will prevent you from doing that. You should be able to find everything you need in there. If it helps prevent you from breaking even one trim piece, it'll have paid for itself.
It's going to be a very big job. But I think it's very possible if you have patience.
Get yourself something like this. It'll help when removing some of the clips.
I had mine replaced. No need to remove the windshield. Although, if you do, you won't have to gut your interior. If all you intend to do is repair your dash, removing your windshield would be the easiest way to go.
Just to be clear. If you are replacing the dash, removing the windshield is not part of the process. If you are intending to repair the dash in place, removing the windshield is probably the way to go.
I've removed a windshield in a car before. It was already cracked so I didn't have to worry about saving it. It was still a giant pain in the ***.
If you're really set on doing it that way, I'd strongly advise trying to get a professional to do it. They've got some expensive tools that can cut it out a lot more safely than you can do it by hand.
I've removed a windshield in a car before. It was already cracked so I didn't have to worry about saving it. It was still a giant pain in the ***.
If you're really set on doing it that way, I'd strongly advise trying to get a professional to do it. They've got some expensive tools that can cut it out a lot more safely than you can do it by hand.
This is good advice. Plus reinstallation and sealing properly is key. A few threads in the past of water leaking inside. Can cause elec damage. Keep us posted on how it goes.
I'd personally go with pulling the dash, if for no other reason than avoiding the potential hassle and expense of sourcing new glass in a place with very limited availability.
Breaking a tab off a dash trim piece would be a headache, but the majority of those parts are comparatively inexpensive and could much more easily be shipped over from the US.
I plan to remove mine this winter also to repair my 3LT dash. I have searched all over and was never able to find any videos or photos showing how to do it. A friend of mine is going to help me and he removed his once (not clue why). He said it takes the better part of the day. I will take a ton of photos and might try to make a video. But it's not going to happen till winter (snow) but that doesn't normally happen till December for me. So likely a 2022 project.
I plan to remove mine this winter also to repair my 3LT dash. I have searched all over and was never able to find any videos or photos showing how to do it. A friend of mine is going to help me and he removed his once (not clue why). He said it takes the better part of the day. I will take a ton of photos and might try to make a video. But it's not going to happen till winter (snow) but that doesn't normally happen till December for me. So likely a 2022 project.
This isn't the complete job but it will give you a good idea on how to remove the trim, center stack, and dash display panel.
This isn't the complete job but it will give you a good idea on how to remove the trim, center stack, and dash display panel. https://youtu.be/hCxT7y-TKIc
Yeah I watched that video. I've had the center section out when I installed my WB-02 in the cubby behind the screen. Thanks for the link.
The only real thing that has me worried is I will need to remove the battery so the airbags don't deploy which means the I can't close the doors/windows. I assume the auto-upholstery shop is going to take a few weeks to get it done which leaves the interior open. I live near the woods so I tend to get mice in the garage and I'm worried they will nest in the car.
Remove the whole dash pad?
