850 upper dashboard cover removal question

Post by **scot850** » 20 Sep 2016, 15:00

I plan to replace the speedo cluster on the project 850 going to California to an MPH version. One of our very kind members erik11 has donated one from his stash which is hugely appreciated!

I have cleaned the speedo, replaced the broken odometer drive gears and checked/replaced all the bulbs.

When I go to install it I just need to clarify something. I know there is an easy way of just lifting the LH end to center portion, but I tried this in PnP and found it extremely difficult to remove without possibly damaging the upper cover due to age/fragility, but also to get enough room without catching the warning light bulbs at the rear. I plan to loosen the whole dash top to make removal easier (yes it is a pain as you have to remove the glove box), but that is my plan.

So to the question. The Vida instructions are sparse at best, but it doesn't say anything about having to un-bolt the 4 bolts for the PS air-bag to allow the whole top to lift. Am I wrong in thinking that has to be done, as I was sure there is no way to lift the RH side without doing that as the passenger side air-bag is bonded to the dash panel. I sincerely hope I am wrong, but don't think so. Can anyone confirm either way?

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **kahl** » 20 Sep 2016, 19:59

Hi Neil,
Yes, you must remove the 4 bolts securing the passenger air bag. Also unplug the airbag to the harness after the battery is disconnected. Make sure the cluster is correctly seated before you lock down the retaining clips. The plastic is very brittle.

Post by **scot850** » 20 Sep 2016, 23:01

Thanks for confirming the airbag bolt issue. I'll be gentle with the airbag and disconnect the battery.

Neil.

Post by **pkc303** » 21 Sep 2016, 21:06

I might add that you should leave yourself a note to plug in the airbag, prior to reconnecting the battery. If not, you'll have to seek someone with a reader to clear the SRS light. It is not a normal code reader to clear that light.

Been there, done that.

Post by **scot850** » 21 Sep 2016, 22:58

Didn't forget to connect the wire, but I do have a reset tool! Did almost forget to put the 4 airbag bolts back in though!

All appears to be good and working, so thanks guys.

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 22 Sep 2016, 12:00

There are a couple of notes I should add to the upper dashboard removal that are not covered in the links supplied on this site and on odometergears.com which links to MVS.

1) Yes you can remove the drivers' side screws only and remove the speedo (I did this at a PnP to see if it worked), but be aware it does put a lot of extra stress on the center portion of the dash top, and if sun-baked or dried out could cause it to crack as you have to lift the dash top as high as it can go to get the speedo out. I also found that the warning light bulbs on the RH side rear were easily caught and damaged as they are very close to the edge. Also it is easy to scratch the front or break things as it is a tight squeeze, even using cloths to try to prevent it as suggested.

2) I decided to go the long route and remove all the screws/bolts for the top to allow lifting the whole top and removing all together if needed. I did not have to remove completely.

4) On the RH side you have to remove 2 screws from the RH end side vent as on the LH end (or reverse for a RH drive car). There is no screw on the passenger side outer vent so that does not need to be removed.

5) There are 2 screws hidden above the glove box liner edge, so the liner has to come out. When removing the glove box liner on an 850 you need to slide it out slightly and depress the center top where the latch is to undo the 2 cross head screws to allow removal of the liner. The 2 upper screws for the dash top are hidden in a felt like material along the top edge of the glove box aperture. 1 is on the left corner above the light 'switch' and the other about 2/3rds of the way from the left.

4) Yes you do need to undo the 4 x 10mm bolts under the top edge of the glove box hole. Make sure the battery is disconnected so the SRS light is not activated or the airbag accidently activated. I disconnected the battery before starting. Also disconnect the wire to the airbag (red wire on the LH side on LH drive vehicle) and also unclip the wire retainer clip on the LH end.

5) Lifting the top can be a struggle as you need to get the top on the passenger side to lift enough to allow the airbag to clear the bracket it bolts to, while allowing the horizontal tang in the center to slide forward about 1" (2-3cm) do unclip it.

Re-install is the reverse, and don't re-connect the battery until the airbag is fully installed. The bolts for the airbag are 7NM or 4.5ft/lb.

Neil.