Hints on exchanging Dash Board?

[CHC (RIP)]

Hi Guys - I\'m due to start changing the dash board for a replacement colour.

Any hints for the easiest way to do this?
I have already taken the front seats out, would it be easier with the steering wheel to be off too?

Thanks - Cliff
:Thumbs-up

[mpk490p]

yep think it needs too, glove box out first and all the lower panels, then the centre surround, 2 bolts either side of the dash open doors for access them the windscreen vent out with another 3 bolts hiding under there that should get you started, give us a yelp if you get stuck

[CHC (RIP)]

That\'s a good starter but probably wont begin until this or next weekend.
Thinking ahead, will the clocks come out or does the surround lift off without extracting the clocks?
Thanks.  Cliff
:Thumbs-up

[David Nock (RIP)]

When I\'ve broken \'em I\'ve been left with a big metal braced frame that comes out with all the display still in place (still attached to the removed dash). Whether you can cut down the process and just get the front off I\'m not sure, but I think No.

[mpk490p]

have always taken my clocks out before so not sure if they will come out together you will certainly need to disconnect the speedo cable from one end or the other

[captainbizzaro]

I\'ll stick with a brown dashboard I think, that sounds like a nightmare!

[David Nock (RIP)]

You said it first Tim.

I\'m just a wimp so I\'d wait for the old dash to explode first before I pulled it.

(Electrical Engineer - wires! connectors! OMG - look at that stuff undeneath!).

We used to do our kitchen table with Fablon.....that was in a pit house in Yorkshire in the 1950\'s.

[mpk490p]

dash isn\'t too bad honest, ok the first one i did took a while it just sounds harder than it is

[stu aull]

cheers-
try this Thread from the RX7club Forum:
http://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=747161
need to scroll down a bit.
This is for the Mk1 (?) 79-80 SA, but technique is virtually the same for later RXs since most share same dash pad.

Also recommend access to a Mazda parts book (or on-line PDF) as these exploded diagrams REALLY help you visualize how it all comes apart. Not that difficult if you are organized...

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

[CHC (RIP)]

Stu - what a man, the club forum triumphs again.
Excellent set of instructions and shall try to access on line pdf for exploded diagrams.

Must admit I don\'t think it looks too difficult even without the instructions.  Think the best tip here is to take digital photos as going along, that way remember what goes where when it comes down to re-build.
Ta.
Cliff
:cheers

[stu aull]

Cliff - no worries - what usually does me "in" on any project is the time-lag btw disassembly and RE-assembly!!!! All the "obvious" stuff one forgets. So yeah, digi-cam, zip-lock bags and labels are your Best Friends.
\'Luck

Stu Aull
80GS/Mk1
Alaska

[CHC (RIP)]

I agree Stu - strange how we tend to forget what went whered - must be an age thing but can\'t understand why \'cause I\'m only 23 (with 32 years experiece), hmmmmm all part of growing up me thinks.
Will let you know how I get on.
Cliff
:mmmm

[stu aull]

Try yer wee brain again when you get over 50, then we\'ll talk!
\'luck

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

[mooragerx7]

there is some pics in my thread of the dash out but cant remember how i did it there is a lot of bolts under neath and i left the clocks in if i remember rightly

in hindsight should have just painted it in the car would have been easier:Giggle

[CHC (RIP)]

1st of all I\'mm already over 50 so there\'s nothing down for me - apparently when you reach the age of 40 you start to loose 10,000 brain cells a day, ***t didnt think I had 100 to begin with.
Anyhow, have taken the dash and supporting frame out this weekend (some photos to follow), in all took about 4 hrs, sequence as follows:
Took out side panels at door closures
Took out vanity box - quiter fiddly at rear in particular
Remove steering wheel and shroud
Then instrument panel to r/h of steering wheel - disconnect cable blocks to fully remove
Then radio, ashtray, compaertment for nick-nacks, gear knob, gear lever gaitor etc (lifts from rear with 2 spring clips), heater control knobs
Take off instrument dimming light knob, remove screw retaining choke handle and unscrew both locking plates. Push both through and remove this panel (note difficult to screw from back of cables on steering column
remove centre console
Remove surround infront of clocks - possibly 2 screws in the upper section (not in my case) and 2 spring clips at bottom (make take a little force)
With me so far - thw above is the easy part.
Remove both seats - this makes it easy to lie on you back to see under the dash
Lying in the drivers foot well (with legs and feet dangling over the rear seats - by the way if you are quite tall suggest folding rear squab down) you look up and somehow have to work a size 14 fist into a gap suitable for a size 4 in order to release the tab retaining the speedo cable in place.  What I did was release the the clocks (remove 2 screws) and push the clock rearward thus making the gap larger - well it worked for me - and hey presto access is there and speedo released.  Take out clock - remembering that it is still tehered by the 2 circular cable blocks (push tab in to release)
Remove 5 no. 8mm nuts (3 on n/s and 2 with access via space from clocks) on underside of top of dash - must also remove retaining screw for cables inside space for clocks
Remove 7 bolts retaining dash to frame
Remove 3 screws from valance on top of dash at windscreen
Take ot 3 bolts fixing front of dash to frame (on top by windscreen)
Now you are ready to remove dash - yippee!
Oops when you try to remove it you\'ll have to move air ducting slightly (jiggle it about) and finally where the air ducting joins the central vents BEWARE, there are 2 cross head screws only accessible from the front inside the moulding holding this to the underside of the dash and once removed also allows erelease of the wiring loom across the top of the dash
Now wasn\'t that simple - I don\'t think.  No honestly guys it\'s not as bad as it sounds, just need small hands, powerful torch/light and patience

If you want to remove the frame as I have there isn\'t much more to be done but I\'ll leave that for another time - gees I\'m worn out just thinking about it.

Hope the above is clear for anybody foolish enough to try it.  Cliff
:Thumbs-up