uh that was a whole lot of nothing - trim removal

[JBauer]

Didn't like the tape because it didn't quite match. Decided to see for myself what's involved in removing the dash trim. To my surprise it was sooo easy and only took about 1/2 hour.
Step 1: Remove glove box.

Step 2: look under there, see screws.


Step 3: remove screws and take out trim.


From what I've heard this long strip is the hardest but I'll let you know ��

[Nmbrsix]

Hmm, wonder how hard it is to get the trim out when you don't have a glovebox (pre-03 cars)...mine is scratched and I'd like to wrap it.

[tommy583]

I think the long strip was the easiest by far.

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by Nmbrsix

Hmm, wonder how hard it is to get the trim out when you don't have a glovebox (pre-03 cars)...mine is scratched and I'd like to wrap it.

You can if you want without taking it off. I fid as a test to see if I liked the colored trim Wrapped:

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by JBauer

You can if you want without taking it off. I fid as a test to see if I liked the colored trim Wrapped:

That pic you quoted is wrapped just to see if I liked it. I looked fine but the only wrap I could find the color was a little off. If it would of matched I would of left it alone. Its not hard, vinyl wrap, hair dryer and some thin plastic tools.

[Christian H]

Originally Posted by Nmbrsix

Hmm, wonder how hard it is to get the trim out when you don't have a glovebox (pre-03 cars)...mine is scratched and I'd like to wrap it.

It's not too bad at all I used a flexy drive to reach the screws on my 99 Boxster just take out the air tube to your side vent and get a lamp to see what you're doing.

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by Christian H

It's not too bad at all I used a flexy drive to reach the screws on my 99 Boxster just take out the air tube to your side vent and get a lamp to see what you're doing.

If you don't mind. How'd you do the short ones? Haven't tried them yet

[Christian H]

Originally Posted by JBauer

If you don't mind. How'd you do the short ones? Haven't tried them yet

Exactly the same, its a bit tight but not impossible



The short pieces have two screws in each I was upside down with my head in the footwell to start with to check out where the fixing screws are, using a flexy drive made it a lot easier

[particlewave]

Christian - I think there is a difference between US and UK cars. For the long strip on my '99, there's aluminum framing under the dash. The gap between the frame and the passenger airbag surround is only about 1.5cm. There is no seeing the screws and was very difficult to get fingers in there to feel them.

[JBauer]

I'm thinking they are different I removed the air duct, got under there upside down and I couldn't get to them.

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Christian - I think there is a difference between US and UK cars. For the long strip on my '99, there's aluminum framing under the dash. The gap between the frame and the passenger airbag surround is only about 1.5cm. There is no seeing the screws and was very difficult to get fingers in there to feel them.

A glove box makes a big difference too.

[tommy583]

I think the easiest way to get the small strips off is to remove the steering wheel surround. I needed to take mine off when I was dying the dash from red to black. Once I took the surround off the screws were east to get too with a stubby screwdriver.

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by tommy583

I think the easiest way to get the small strips off is to remove the steering wheel surround. I needed to take mine off when I was dying the dash from red to black. Once I took the surround off the screws were east to get too with a stubby screwdriver.

If you dont mind, how did you get the surround off?

[Christian H]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Christian - I think there is a difference between US and UK cars. For the long strip on my '99, there's aluminum framing under the dash. The gap between the frame and the passenger airbag surround is only about 1.5cm. There is no seeing the screws and was very difficult to get fingers in there to feel them.

That does sound a lot different to my '99 I'm sure there must be a few changes between countries spec's especially when the steering wheel gets moved to the other side!

[tommy583]

Originally Posted by JBauer

If you dont mind, how did you get the surround off?

First you have to take off the instrument cluster (many DIY's for this), then you can see the screws to remove the surround. I remember it being very easy remove the surround.

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by tommy583

First you have to take off the instrument cluster (many DIY's for this), then you can see the screws to remove the surround. I remember it being very easy remove the surround.

Thanks! I got them out finally. A LOT harder than the glove box side I guess that's what I get for being cocky about the other side. Had to make my own flexible ratchet 😉

Thanks all for the help

[tommy583]

Yeah I was trying to get to them from underneath, but once I removed the steering wheel surround they were really easy to get too. Glad you got them out though. I never put the screws back in. I just pushed them back into the dash and they have stayed in for over 2 years now.

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by tommy583

Yeah I was trying to get to them from underneath, but once I removed the steering wheel surround they were really easy to get too. Glad you got them out though. I never put the screws back in. I just pushed them back into the dash and they have stayed in for over 2 years now.

LOL there is noooo way I'm putting them back either. Odd thing tho I had to remove the air vent tube, go in from under dash because there was no way to get anything more than my fingers in there. Even with collar out. went in from bottom with a convoluted socket wrench set up and guided it to the screw heads with my fingers. Its in the floor in the pic. Took me 2hrs.

Thanks for the help

[BRAN]

The little pieces were actually the easier part for me:
Side vent out = "easy" access for the smaller trim piece
Center console out = "easy" access for the smallest trim piece