Hi all
I read the recent post about taking the dash apart. I have a '97 XLT (recently purchased) and the problem is that there is dust on the inside of the plexiglass covering the gauges. I removed the snap on part that goes over the column and removed the four screw that are below the instrument cluster (two on each side). The right side seemed loose but as the other thread indicated the panel around the left controls seemed to require removal also. Thanks that info will be useful. My question is will the plexiglass piece come out then to get at the back of it?

TIA

Ed

 

There are also 4 screws on the upper part of the plexiglass that cannot be accessed without removing another panel.

Be aware that the plexiglass will scratch very easily, even with Windex and a paper towel. If you want to clean it and avoid scratches I'd really advise that you use compressed air and camera lense tissue. The guages themselves will also streak if you get your greasy fingers on there so be careful about what you touch and try to use compressed air again. It may sound like this is over the top but if you don't have a camera lense cleaning kit then this is a valid excuse to get one It's well worth the effort.

You'll need to remove panels "1" (Instrument cluster panel) & "8" (Steering Column cover) to get at the instrument cluster. Panels "2" & "5" are optional.

To get the instrument cluster panel out, pull off the headlight ON/OFF **** and rotate it 180 degrees and put it back on then turn it clockwise. This depresses spring-loaded clips and you can then pull the assembly out and get at the screw securing the dash panel.

 

Thanks AjRagno and others from messages that talked about this same subject.

I hope to get to tearing my dash apart this weekend. I will let you know how it turned out

Ed

 

Just wondering if you were able to tear your dash apart without and major problems