How easy is it to remove the upper dash on a MY00 UK car and does this also give you access to the instrument panel?

Thanks

 

Not that difficult, why do you want to remove the dash?

 

Got a digital aerial to run to the stereo.

Car has a passenger airbag too.

 

I would not remove the dash just to fit aerial, why not remove the stereo instead & find an easier route to fit it?

Unless your talking about the centre section of the top dash??

 

What I'm planning on doing is following the route of an existing mobile phone aerial which is located on the top of the rear windscreen. The wire from this then runs under the roof lining to the nearside of the car, then along the length of the car under the trim panels and I'm guessing goes down behind the A-pillar trim panel then behind the dash somehow to the rear of the stereo.

From what I can see, I think I'm gonna have to at least take the upper part of the dash off to get access behind the A-pillar trim panel, unless there is another way?

 

yhpm

 

Could you make this public Ticky? I also need to take my dash out (MY00) and any tips for not breaking the fixings would be appreciated..

 

Just a few tips which will help, the rest is fairly simple.

Remove the plastic trim panel which is on the top of the dash (at the front just by the screen. There should be 2 circular type clips which hold it in place. I normally use a small flat head screw driver to get these out. Once the plastic trim has been removed you should be able to see 2 X 10mm bolts which hold the centre part of the dash to the bulkhead.

Remove the plastic trim panel above the foot pedals & undo the 2 X 12mm bolts for the steering column, the steering wheel then can be dropped down to help get the dash off.

Remove radio, centre console etc
Remove speedo clock.
Remove glove box.
You will have to unclip most of the dash loom electrical connectors.
I think there are 3 earth points for the dash loom,these are bolted near the centre console area (behind the radio etc.) Undo these too.

Once you have managed to undo nuts, bolts & electrical connectors the dash should pull off but note that most of the dash loom is wrapped & routes around the air vent piping, the loom is attached to the back of the dash with clips & screws.
I pulled the dash slightly out, then looked at the back of the dash from outside through the screen. This way I could see were the loom was fixed & undone any screws etc.

Just be careful pulling the dash off, scratches to other trim panels or even damaging the dash etc. Get a friend to help.

I cannot remember where every single nut & bolt is but some of the above should help you at least.

Ticky

 

Cheers mate!