Dashboard removal

[davefrancisco]

I'm putting a voltmeter where the clock is mounted in the dash. Looks like the steering wheel needs to be removed to get the dashboard out. My brother suggested dropping the steering column as a way to get the room to remove the dash. Seems reasonable, but concerned there is some hidden clip or bolt that will make this more challenging.

The car is a 77 spider, any advice or warnings appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Dave, I would not drop the steering wheel. You can remove the "wooden" dash panel (where the gauges are) with the steering wheel in place, but it is a bit tricky, mainly in terms of getting your hands behind there to unhook the electrical connectors and the speedometer cable.

Removing the steering wheel just involves loosening the nut on the shaft, and using a steering wheel puller or gear puller to pull the steering wheel off. If it's been removed before, it may just pop off with some tapping. I usually sit in the seat, loosen the steering shaft nut slightly, brace the bottom part of the wheel with my left, then pull the top of the steering wheel towards me with my left hand. With my right, I tap gently on the shaft/nut with a hammer, and the wheel usually pops free after a bit.

Disconnect the battery before doing any of this, otherwise your horn will go off as you're working, driving you crazy. Oh, and you'll need to first remove the horn button "surround" if you have that, but a putty knife will pop that loose.

-Bryan

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Dave, I would not drop the steering wheel. You can remove the "wooden" dash panel (where the gauges are) with the steering wheel in place, but it is a bit tricky, mainly in terms of getting your hands behind there to unhook the electrical connectors and the speedometer cable.

Removing the steering wheel just involves loosening the nut on the shaft, and using a steering wheel puller or gear puller to pull the steering wheel off. If it's been removed before, it may just pop off with some tapping. I usually sit in the seat, loosen the steering shaft nut slightly, brace the bottom part of the wheel with my leg, then pull the top of the steering wheel towards me with my left hand. With my right, I tap gently on the shaft/nut with a hammer, and the wheel usually pops free after a bit.

Disconnect the battery before doing any of this, otherwise your horn will go off as you're working, driving you crazy. Oh, and you'll need to first remove the horn button "surround" if you have that, but a putty knife will pop that bad boy loose.

-Bryan

[davefrancisco]

Thanks for the advice Bryan. I think I will get myself the gear puller to remove the steering wheel. I had the nut off, but the steering wheel would not budge.

Thanks

Dave

[18Fiatsandcounting]

You might also try a bit of penetrating oil between the wheel hub and the shaft (under the nut). It is a tapered joint, so just like ball joints and tie rod ends, it can be difficult to remove if it's never come off before.

-Bryan

[lfthndmnkywrnch]

Agree with Bryan on this - you don't have to pull the steering wheel to remove the gauge panel.

I've gotta do some repairs to my pedal box, so to get to the top bolts had to remove the dashboard but didn't have to pull the wheel. Once you get the bolts undone, you can get your hands behind the gauges to disconnect everything; may have to sneak up on them from underneath too. Took about 30 minutes because I went slow and labeled all the plugs.

Matthew