How to remove Dash Trim bars on a 99
 

I have a 99 Boxster. Interior is Boxster Red and I am painting the black trim pieces Arctic silver to match the exterior. I am upgrading to 996 gauges and have gauges removed so I can get behind the dash. I am wondering how to remove the "bars" trim on the dash. There are 3 pieces, 1 to the left of the steering wheel, 1 to the right, and 1 long piece in front of the passenger.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1456843468.jpg


here is a pic one long bar on passenger side under the airbag and 2 smaller bars on either side of the steering wheel.

They're held on by small torx screws. I think T10 but don't hold that to me. They also have retainer clips. I've never taken them off with the dash still in the car, but I imagine they're a major PIA to get to.

A while ago I had my original two 2 "smaller" trim pieces laminated with oem burlwood. And just recently I was lucky enough to find a brand new oem burlwood piece on eBay. Still have to install that.
What I did: Remove left side vent and center console and unscrewed the two torx screws on each piece. You need small/medium sized flexible hands to reach the screws, a magnetic torx screw driver and patience. Was not a major PITA...but it still was NO fun.
To Do (long trim piece): I am confident to reach at least 2-3 screws on each side of the long trim piece (from the center console/right side vent). BUT there is still 1 screw left right in the middle (#4 - photo). Hopefully I can reach that after removing the air duct tube, by diving into the leg area :D
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1456848188.jpg

Take pass. airbag out (w/battery disconnected) should allow easy access to screws for long bar.

You could say that...

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...97D07C1D01.jpg

Hmmmm, I like the black bars.

This may help:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1456875284.jpg
Someone recommended it a while back and having it has saved me hundreds of dollars in the swear jar.
Harbor freight and similar tool on Amazon.

i have a 2001 Boxster S and i was under the impression these werent removable on earlier cars? mines certianly look like they cant come out....

They are removable. ;)
Mine (pictured above) is a '99.

wish i'd known that when everything else was out getting the carbon fibre treatment!

here is a pic of painted interiorhttp://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1457004825.jpg

Here's a couple pictures from my parts car that may help:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1547/...f0820f3c_c.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1539/...cb062bdd_c.jpg

Very helpful! Thank you!

As mentioned before....amazing how Porsche spared no expense to make sure these strips don't fly out and hurt us!

Thank God for Ralph Nader!

well I gave up trying to unscrew them to paint. I masked dash off and everything else in the car and painted them without removing them.

Large right trim piece = ...de-install right side vent, pull down leg room cover, rip out air duct...get a magnetic torx driver (small and large) --> max 30mins to de-install
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1468263016.jpg
Putting the new trim piece back in, is a whole different story...a story of patience, blood, sweat and tears....naw...not THAT BAD, but you need good tactile senses.
Took me an hour to install 4 of 7 screws, starting from right to left.
Will probably take another hour to do the rest...yes, it did...PATIENCE is the key word
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1468343945.jpg
DONE!:cheers:

Do you have any updated photos? My Boxster interior looks exactly like yours and I'm looking to do the same!