Dash removal

[Jeff Turbo]

A little 'how to' as i've been asked quite a lot of times.
This is from memory when I removed the dash from my Montego GSi as it rattled
This is a how to remove the dash of a facelift Montego. Pre facelift is very similar
Disconnect battery
Remove cover from steering wheel centre
Remove dust cover
Loosen bolt and pull steering wheel towards you till loose
Centralise wheel and remove bolt and wheel

[Jeff Turbo]

Remove both sides of cowel and any 'anti rattle' material.
Undo central screw only, do not remove.
Pull towards you
Remove both side connectors
Remove unit

[Jeff Turbo]

Remove both top screws from dash cover
Pull towards you and remove any connections to clocks, switches

[Jeff Turbo]

Undo the screws holding the display
From under the bonnet, locate the speedo cable and push to inside the car
Pull the display towards you
Push the top connections off the display
Pull the display more to get a hand behind it to remove the speedo cable. You need to push the white part to one side to unclip it.
Remove the display

[Jeff Turbo]

Remove the 2 screws holding the cover
Remove all connections to any switch etc

Early models with black fusebox surrounds
Remove the 2 bolts holding the metal strip and cardboard strip from under the display opening
You will need to remove the steering column
Pull down carpet etc to steering column bolt
Undo the bolt connection from the steering rack
Disconnect the ignition connection from the loom
Undo the 4 bolts holding the steering column
Remove the column by pulling towards you

[Jeff Turbo]

From behind the dash, remove the wire here in the centre
Pull off the heater knobs
Remove the screws behind
Remove the display and disconnect
Remove the screws behind

Pre facelift
Remove the cover from the small fan switch
Disconnect the lamp
Push out the fan switch and disconnect
Remove the centre screw
Push up the display and remove
Centre the heater levers
Disconnect the small display lamp just above the radio

[Jeff Turbo]

Remove both side covers under the dash
Remove the fusebox cover
Remove ashtray
Remove Radio and unplug

Pre facelift
Remove the electric window switches and disconnect

[Jeff Turbo]

From the top of the glove box
Remove retaining screws and drop down
Unclip all connections
Remove the glove box lock and light switch. Disconnect and push wires through to the rear of the glove box

[Jeff Turbo]

Leave tidy in the boot with screws etc in the correct location
Note, you do not need to remove the glove box lid

[Jeff Turbo]

Remove the side covers
Using a torx screw, remove 2 screws from each side
Pull out door seals
Remove covers
Remove centre bolt
Remove any loose things on the dash

[Jeff Turbo]

Pull up from the bottom of the dash
Pull out dash from its position
If its on your car you can either disconnect the complete dash loom from the passenger front just under the dash or
Using long nose plyers, remove wiring clips
You should now be able to remove the dash from the car

[Jeff Turbo]

While the dash is off you may want to fix the heater etc. Re-do the foam from the opening, sort any leaks from the heater pipes or sort any rattle

Prior to putting back in
These clips must be put back onto the dash.
When putting back in.
Make sure all wires etc are in the correct place
There is a pin in the top centre of the dash and a slot for it on the locating metal bulk head
Position the dash and push hard to locate the top clips then lower over the centre consul
Reconnect all

[G4GLM]

Jeff, you are a star! I'm doing this exact job tonight! Thank you!!

[Jeff Turbo]

Jeff, you are a star! I'm doing this exact job tonight! Thank you!!

No probs and have fun with it
From memory your steering wheel nut is 33mm

[E_T_V]

An excellent how-to as usual

Another option that I take when removing the dash is to leave the steering wheel attached and remove the whole steering column as one piece.
Centre the steering
Remove the bolt holding the universal joint to the steering rack
Remove the 4 securing bolts that hold the steering column in place
Disconnect the wiring plugs (you may have to remove the cowl from the steering column to do this - I can't remember)
Remove the whole lot as one piece