Passenger Airbag

[Simont485]

Hi

I have a new Veneered Facia Panel to go on the passenger airbag area of the dashboard. I can see it is held on by six nuts as there are six studs on the new panel.

Any ideas on how to get the old one off??

[ptjs1]

Simon,

I'll try and look it up this evening, bu I'm pretty sure that unfortunately you have to disable and remove the passenger airbag in order to get to that piece of veneer. From memory, I think it doesn't describe how to remove that veneer in the workshop manual, but I remember reading about the issue on another website somewhere.

Paul

[Simont485]

Thanks Paul

I believe the airbag has to come out although in the Workshop manual it say the first thing is to remove the Facia Panel, but that is all it says. Nothing else just 'Remove facia'

Simon

[davidr]

Simon. When I did this job on my Celebration it was painful!! It's very easy to do if you take the whole fascia off but that's a bit drastic. It is possible to do it without taking the fascia off but it's very awkward and you're going to spend a lot of time lying uncomfortably on your back in the passenger footwell and swearing.
I found it easier to remove the passenger seat to gain better access. You can get up behind the veneer panel by taking off the lower fascia panel but access is very tight and difficult.
I think I ended up taking out the centre console and loosening the fascia so I could ease out the passenger side for better access.
The issue is getting the new veneer panel lined up nicely when you put it back in.
So take heart - it is possible but fiddly!

[Simont485]

Been having a read and chatting on another forum. I understand there are 3 or 4 bolts that secure the dash to the tubular frame that runs across the car.
If I were to loosen or remove these bolts would it be possible to pull the dash away to give access to the rear of the Airbag Panel?

[davidr]

Been having a read and chatting on another forum. I understand there are 3 or 4 bolts that secure the dash to the tubular frame that runs across the car.
If I were to loosen or remove these bolts would it be possible to pull the dash away to give access to the rear of the Airbag Panel?

Simon - that was the suggestion I was trying to make. Sorry if I didn't make it clear! You'll only get clear access by removing the dash altogether but it makes it less tight if you can pull the dash forward like you say.

[Simont485]

Been having a read and chatting on another forum. I understand there are 3 or 4 bolts that secure the dash to the tubular frame that runs across the car.
If I were to loosen or remove these bolts would it be possible to pull the dash away to give access to the rear of the Airbag Panel?

Simon - that was the suggestion I was trying to make. Sorry if I didn't make it clear! You'll only get clear access by removing the dash altogether but it makes it less tight if you can pull the dash forward like you say.

Sorry for my misunderstanding, I am trying to do what you have done. I have removed the two bolts at each end of the tube frame, found the 'long' stud bolt and loosened it. Haven't removed it as I cant see how I am going to get it back in!
I think I need to unscrew the mirror switch and the other switch from the tube around the steering.

I was going to leave the instruments in but are there any bolts screws behind there?

Answered my own question! Instrument have to come out! Dashboard is loose now tho!
Off to have another go!

[davidr]

Simon - you may need to take the centre console out to give enough "wriggle room" for the dash to pull back at the passenger side.
sounds like you're having a go at it now - you'll probably have done it by the time you read this!
Hope all goes well!!

[Simont485]

Ok its out. Dash is clear but its still flaming tight in there. Managed to get all nuts and bolts out but not sure how they will go back in!

All I took off from the centre console was the Heater controls and the 2 screws behind it. Managed to lift the dash up and then wiggle the dash, that really is the best way to describe it, enough to pull it clear! Hope that's ok!

Like you say Dave its do-able but very tight!!

[Simont485]

Well that was interesting.
Its pretty much all back in. Just need to finish off and need a new footwell lens.

How the hell I am going to get that long stud bolt back I do not know. Dash needs to be 'removed' in as much as it needs to be pulled away to get access to the 4 bolts holding the panel in!
I didn't touch the steering wheel and the instruments were just rotated forward to give access to the lock nut that holds the dash to the windscreen surround.

Finish it off next week now. I have taken photos and I will post on here soon!

[Simont485]

Some photos as promised....better late than never

Before with faded edges on air bag panel









That is as far out as the dash will come. Just, and I mean just, enough room to get to the rear of the airbag panel.

Sorry a bit blurred! But that is why it all got done!



New one in place



Looks better already!


All back in!



Also I have discovered what the faded edge is. It is the lacquer that has lifted away from the veneer. With a stanley blade its possible to pick the faded sections off. The veneer underneath is ok. So it all can be stripped and re-lacquered and will look as good as new!

[ptjs1]

Well done, Simon!

I wonder why that particular panel seems more prone to the problem than most of the others? I've seen a few like that and my own car is just starting to fade in that right hand edge.

I'm tempted to try and have a go at removing the panel without dash movement. I've now read that two people at least have managed to do it without dash removal, but it does seem incredibly tight in there.

Paul