How to remove the instrument panel from the dash.

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Robsey
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How to remove the instrument panel from the dash.

Post by Robsey »

EDIT :-
Discussion thread now added here:-

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17025
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It is a bit of a pig to do, but it is doable.

Ideally you want to do it whilst the weather is warm.
In the eighties and nineties, the Vauxhall tool of choice was a Philips No2 screwdriver.
(Not a PoziDrive).

All screws used on the Cavalier dash are indeed Philips No2 cross-head screws.

So - Here we go.

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Procedure is as follows: -
Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the left.
remove the cover cap on the front of the lower shroud.

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this will expose a cross head screw - unscrew this screw.

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turn the steering wheel 180 degrees, so that it is now 90 degrees to the right.
again remove cap and screw.

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Unscrew the three screws underneath the lower cowling around the steering column.

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Remove the cowling halves.

There is a plastic trim across the bottom of the instrument cluster.
You need to bend this, by pulling the centre bit towards you.
This will release plastic tangs at both ends from the surrounding trims.
(The warm weather makes the plastic more flexible and less brittle).
Withdraw this panel.


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The upper instrument trim strip has a screw on each end.
Undo these screws and withdraw the trim.

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There should now be three screws holding the cluster into the dash.
Undo the three screws.

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You will now need to twist the cluster to one side or tip it forward a little to allow you to unclip the speedo cable.

Unplug the two electrical connectors.

Withdraw the cluster and replace any blown bulbs.

Refitting is the reversal of removal.

Noting that the lower cluster trim needs to be flexed to allow you to insert it's end tangs into the surrounding trims.

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I think that is about right from memory.
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