Hi guys,

I did a search for this and there were a few references to a DIY by MitsFix however I could not find it in the DIY section. Is anyone able to link it?

Also some additional questions:
1. Since some plugs are being disconnected, is the car still drive-able with the dash out?
2. Besides the heater core, are there any other "things to do" while the dash is out?
3. How heavy is the dash, and can it be maneuvered in and out by a single person?
4. Any products people can recommend when reinstalling the dash to make sure no rattles appear?
5. Any tips and tricks for this?

The main reason for wanting to remove the dash is to have it dyed professionally.

1. dont know for sure, but probably unlikely. However, thinking about where the loom for the BEM, Key antenna and ECU are maybe it will?
2. no idea, someone else may have some ideas?
3. about 10kg? Its bulky, but not hard to maneuver. does help to have an assistant but can be done on your own.
4. Felt tape!!! http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Products/~/3M-Vinyl-Foam-Tape-4726?N=5927712+3293241329&rt=rud
Look at the edge of your centre console insert and you'll see it. Same goes for the radio surrounds.
Put it down as an insulation and squeak barrier anywhere 2 plastic surfaces rub or where anything is screwed down. Ditto around any loose wiring connectors, but they will have foam tape around them already. Youlll see it once you start pulling it apart.
5. take photos as you go, even just a quick phone pic is still handy to reference later. Its all pretty simple though, just lots of bolts and screws. There is a bolt at the top of the dash, holding it to the base of the windscreen under the top dash speakers (or covers if you dont have speakers there)
Start with the centre console, pull it right out, then the plastics under the steering wheel and glove box.
Discconect your wiring looms next, there is 1 (maybe 2?) big plugs on the drivers side, roughly behind the power window switch. there is also some loom connections in the centre of the dash, just behind where your radio would sit (maybe a little lower)
You dont need to remove the steering wheel, (but it does make it easier) but you will need to take the surrounds off so you can get the 2 big bolts that hold the column up through the dash.
There is a bolt or 2 either side of the dash, holding it to the a pillar/footwell area and there is some metal framework around the base of the dash near the ECU which is easy to remove out of the way.

Thanks for that.
The felt tape was already a plan, as is some additional sound deadening while it is all out.
At what stage would the passenger airbag come out?
Does the instrument cluster need to come out separately?
Is fitting the dash a much more difficult/tedious job than removing it?

When it comes down to doing work on cars I do things really slow but really well. Any ideas how long each process will take (i.e, removing, and then fitting back)?

The passenger air bag should be able to be removed once the dash is out.

Yes you will need to remove the instrument cluster.

I can remove a dash in 40 mins, putting it back together slowly takes an hour and a bit, however the first time I did it, it took about a couple hours to remove and about the same to refit.

Also, I believe the indicators will fail if the hazard switch is out of circuit. Cant remember the details but something like that happened while I was swapping out the head unit.

And when you pull out the cluster you may see some brown dry looking foam covering the wiring looms. Dont touch that shit as its very sticky and crumbles easily.

"Also, I believe the indicators will fail if the hazard switch is out of circuit.." yep correct - make sure the hazard button is reconnected when you put it back together, otherwise no indicators.

the passenger air bag will come out once you remove the glove box.
There is an access cover on the underside of the upper glovebox plastics that allows you to unplug the airbag, flick out the little red lock tab on the yellow wiring connector (airbag wiring) then unclip the plug.
Once you take that whole plastic trim off you'll see the airbag mounting bolts.

As with any airbag, always be careful handling them, dont touch the terminal pins, try to limit the amount of time they are pointing at your face, sit them somewhere safe where they wont be disturbed, deployment side facing up.
They are generally very safe and no probs, but at the end of the day, it is explosives, treat it as such.

The instrument cluster comes out easily, only a few screws to remove it so yea, pull it out while your there.

Question 1:

Best disconnect the battery and not reconnect until the whole thing is back together. The SRS system will throw an error if an airbag is disconnected and you turn the ignition on. Only a dealer can reset the error.

Thanks everyone.

Yes I did plan on doing this with the battery disconnected, as I know someone who had an airbag go off while working inside a stationary car. He told me he felt like he was shot, could not hear, had blood, was totally disoriented etc.

As for the SRS error, does this mean the SRS light will remain on?
As I plan to have the dash dyed (along with the airbag) and plan to drop the parts off with the car it seems I will need to have the error cleared. Any ideas of the cost of this?

Hi guys,

I did a search for this and there were a few references to a DIY by MitsFix however I could not find it in the DIY section. Is anyone able to link it?

Also some additional questions:
1. Since some plugs are being disconnected, is the car still drive-able with the dash out?
2. Besides the heater core, are there any other "things to do" while the dash is out?
3. How heavy is the dash, and can it be maneuvered in and out by a single person?
4. Any products people can recommend when reinstalling the dash to make sure no rattles appear?
5. Any tips and tricks for this?

The main reason for wanting to remove the dash is to have it dyed professionally.

Here's the link to Mals original guide:
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66385&p=1020809&viewfull=1#post1020809

never mind, carry on.

Thanks for the link, very helpful.

Why would the A pillar trims need to come out?
And when it stated to remove the gear selector, does this mean the whole assembly that holds the gear level?

Thanks for the link, very helpful.

Why would the A pillar trims need to come out?
And when it stated to remove the gear selector, does this mean the whole assembly that holds the gear level?

PM Mal with your proposed procedure and questions, perhaps?
Ask him if the car can be driven with the dash out, especially.

Thanks for the link, very helpful.

Why would the A pillar trims need to come out?
And when it stated to remove the gear selector, does this mean the whole assembly that holds the gear level?

They need to come out because they have a clip/locating piece, that sits into the top of the dash.

No just remove the gear selector knob and they gear surround and that's it.

You will remove that so you can remove the plastic clips hold in the lower trim pieces of the dash.

Ask him if the car can be driven with the dash out, especially.

You would need to reconnect quite a bit of the dash loom to the appropriate spots otherwise you will not have indicators, lights and so forth, IMO not worth trying to drive it with the dash out.