How to pull Instrument panel? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TomShilling · 03-22-2005, 07:18 PM

Need to address some issues: the 4 screws on the panel and steering wheel brace were easy. The question is really all about the headlight knob and wiper/washer knob. There is a metal ring under the knob that threads to snug the panel to the metal, but I don't know how to get the instrument panel all the way off. The right side seems pretty willing, but the left side is very tight. I don't want to break the panel, seems like maybe I missed a screw somewhere? I see there is a nut on the shaft for the headlight knob that I can loosen, but the wiper nut is much harder to get to. Do I loosen both?
I wanted to repaint the face panel, but it looks like all the guages will come with the panel... Also, How the &%#* do you get to the headlight switch from under the dash? My hands won't even reach that far up under the dash! Maybe I can get to it once I pull the instrument panel?
Help!

shifty · 03-22-2005, 07:19 PM

Hehe, I need to do this tonight. My left turn signal light is busted.

farside847 · 03-22-2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomShilling

How the &%#* do you get to the headlight switch from under the dash? My hands won't even reach that far up under the dash! Maybe I can get to it once I pull the instrument panel?
Help!

Unfortunately you do need to reach all the way back there, and depress a little
button on the shaft to pull out the headlight knob. Neighbors kids are always good at it and easily bribed.

TomShilling · 03-22-2005, 08:26 PM

If I gotta get a "small-armed" kid over to the carport, might as well make sure I get everything reached that I can't !
Thanks

**pjmoreland** · 03-22-2005, 08:26 PM

The button is on the top of the headlight switch mechanism. Pull the light knob as far out as it will come first, then press down on the button, and then the knob should pull right out.

franko72 · 03-22-2005, 08:38 PM

the whole guage set up is an assembly .you will have to disconnect the speedometer cable, Main wiring connector,tach connector (if you have one),oil pressure tubing or oil pressure connector. remove light switch knob and unscrew the hold down piece. remove the wiper blade knob by unscrewing the small screw.remove the guage bezel screws.loosen the steering column bolts till the column lowers about a couple of inches, dont remove the bolts completely.this should give enough clearance to remove the guage cluster . good luck

stickshift_or_walk · 03-23-2005, 07:52 PM

Don't forget to disconnect the battery, or unplug the headlight switch. It's not usually possible to remove that switch without turning them on.

It's happened to more than one of us...SSOW

03-22-2005, 07:18 PM	#1
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	How to pull Instrument panel? Need to address some issues: the 4 screws on the panel and steering wheel brace were easy. The question is really all about the headlight knob and wiper/washer knob. There is a metal ring under the knob that threads to snug the panel to the metal, but I don't know how to get the instrument panel all the way off. The right side seems pretty willing, but the left side is very tight. I don't want to break the panel, seems like maybe I missed a screw somewhere? I see there is a nut on the shaft for the headlight knob that I can loosen, but the wiper nut is much harder to get to. Do I loosen both? I wanted to repaint the face panel, but it looks like all the guages will come with the panel... Also, How the &%#* do you get to the headlight switch from under the dash? My hands won't even reach that far up under the dash! Maybe I can get to it once I pull the instrument panel? Help!

03-22-2005, 07:19 PM	#2
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Hehe, I need to do this tonight. My left turn signal light is busted. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

03-22-2005, 08:26 PM	#4
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	Does the wiper knob release the same way? If I gotta get a "small-armed" kid over to the carport, might as well make sure I get everything reached that I can't ! Thanks

03-22-2005, 08:38 PM	#6
franko72 Franko72 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cincinnati,Ohio Posts: 471	the whole guage set up is an assembly .you will have to disconnect the speedometer cable, Main wiring connector,tach connector (if you have one),oil pressure tubing or oil pressure connector. remove light switch knob and unscrew the hold down piece. remove the wiper blade knob by unscrewing the small screw.remove the guage bezel screws.loosen the steering column bolts till the column lowers about a couple of inches, dont remove the bolts completely.this should give enough clearance to remove the guage cluster . good luck __________________ 1972 C20 cheyenne Super 402 BB/400 turbo LWB A/C Tilt, Cruise Control, Saddle tanks, Tach My Home Page Better to burn out than it is to rust

03-23-2005, 07:52 PM	#7
stickshift_or_walk Left Foot Functioning Join Date: May 2004 Location: Duncan, OK Posts: 348	Sure cure for a charged battery... Don't forget to disconnect the battery, or unplug the headlight switch. It's not usually possible to remove that switch without turning them on. It's happened to more than one of us...SSOW __________________ 69 C10 (#1 son's ride) 72 C20 (Dad's farm truck) 82 K30 (Ex - brush pumper project)

03-22-2005, 08:26 PM	#5
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,466	The button is on the top of the headlight switch mechanism. Pull the light knob as far out as it will come first, then press down on the button, and then the knob should pull right out.



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