rivaladversary

So I'm buying a used front dash trim (the plastic piece that surrounds the climate unit and radio) for my 93 honda civic on Monday and I need to figure out how to take it out. Can anyone instruct me?

Thank you in advance guys.

worlds-slowest-EG

Had the same problem but they broke it above the stereo and the panel for the heater was cracked in half too.

the only way it comes off is from behind AFTER taking the whole dashboard out of the car.(Steering Wheel First) there are like 15 screws holding it on but you can only get to 5 of them. the screws are still tough to get to even after removal.
BTW you might want to put a couple layers of good masking tape on your A-pillar covers so you don't scratch them while you put the dash back in.

Good Luck

jasoncanseeoh

good advice right there.

rivaladversary

i'm sorry but what's an A-pillar?

can you guys tell me if this is the correct instructional guide to removing it?

http://importnut.net/civicsteeringswap.htm

scroll down where it says Dashboard swap. Is that what i should do to remove it?

worlds-slowest-EG

the A pillars are the roof posts between the windshield and the doors. the plastc covers are easy to scratch and hard to remove.

the write up is actually better than most that i've seen just follow it and you should be ok. the only other advice i can think of in addition to that is just pay attention to the wires during removal (theres 1 small ground wire that you won't see until you break it) and have another person to help you wrestle the dash out of the car.

rivaladversary

may i ask where this ground wire is?

fungus mungus

To the right of the speedo cluster, IIRC. I almost missed it when I gutted my car and did an interior swap. I would have been so P1ss3d if I had missed it...I hate taking out dashes. And 2x on getting someone helping you get the dash out...I was manhandling mine before one of my buds came by and gave me a hand. Made it a lot easier. And do drop that steering column unless you want to snap your turnsignals stalks off.

I wish someone had told me to tape my A-pillars.

fm

worlds-slowest-EG

i only know about the a-pillars cause mine look like **** now after i had the same problem as the op

roycivic92

if i had only taped up my a pillars.lol there all mess up now

thumper64

Just pop the A pillars out. Pry up on them with something plastic and they come out pretty easy. Harbor Freight sells trim removal tools that are just little plastic pry bars in different shapes and sizes.

danomatic93

NO NO NO NO!

You CAN get that garnish off without removing the dash! The are only 9 screws btw.

You have to remove the cluster trim, cluster, kick panel, and reinforcement behind the kick panel, radio, Climate Control unit. At this you should be able to get to the 9 screws out. Use a mirror to find all of them.

roycivic92

you HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASH BUDDY

danomatic93

NOPE! I have replaced the piece TWICE without remove the dash.

I'll be nice and paste my DIY for this...



If your car got broken into and the trim piece got jack up here's how to remove it without having to completely remove the dash!

For starters, you have to be committed to take off the whole bezel (the thing that frames the heater control, cd player, and steering wheel.


Here's how:

1.Start by doing the easiest thing. Remove the cd player and the upper center console (the piece that has the coin tray and cig tray/lighter on it).


2.Remove the kick panel (the thing your knee hits when you are sitting) 3 screws


3.Remove the metal reinforcement that is behind the kick panel. 2 - 10mm bolts

4. Remove the Gauge bezel (to do this pop out hazard button [it pops out], remove all screws. The bezel frame should come out. It's attached by clips and the screws you removed) Then unscrew the guage bezel and remve it.


5. Now for the second hardest part. Remove the heater control unit. (It's easy if you do it a lot, which I do, but whatever) You basically have to do yoga to get to the screws that hold the unit in. There are three screws. Two are near the front underneath. The other is near the back middle underneath. Once unscrewed, remove the metal wire (that controls the temp setting). Please don't bend it too much. Now you can pull out the unit.


Recap:
You removed the cd player, the heater control unit above that, the coin tray/cig tray/lighter piece below those, hazard switch, and guage bezel.

Now that your dash it completely in pieces you can get to the damn screws that hold the main bezel to the dash.

6. There are 9 screws that hold the bezel on. I suggest to use a small mirror to find them before you go nuts. You had to remove all of those parts to get a screwdriver at the proper angle to remove them. Get a collection of phillips screwdrivers handy. Get a short one, long one, angled one, and kinds you can the get the right angle. Once you get all the screws you're done.
If my memory serves me right, the dots are the locations of the screws.


Please allow 2-3 hours to get this done if you have never removed these things. It will take a long time. But after the first time it will only take an hour next time.

Feel free to ask any questions whenever. I would suggest for you to get a Chilton's manual or a cheap haynes manual to fit some pics of the insides.

Then your car will be in one piece again...


GOOD LUCK!

Disclaimer:
You acknowledge that I shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of, or reliance upon, any such information, material, products, or services.

rivaladversary

thanks so much for the help.

i'm a little afraid on taking the hazard button part out of the bezel. how do you guys do it? i don't want to crack it.

fungus mungus

Just take a small flat-blade screwdriver and wrap the tip with electrical tape. Insert it into the seam on the right side and gently pry it up...it will pop right out. The tape will keep you from scratching up the bezel.

fm

hi ho silver

Holy crap, I had a hard time with the dashboard out of the car. I think with a longer screwdriver it would be a lil easier but still, with the dashboard in the car you must have to be a contortionist