Dash Plexiglass Removal
06-07-2003, 12:23 PM
#1
Dash Plexiglass Removal
This is probably a no-brainer, but.....
I bought a 2001 Maxima SE in January - it's in perfect condition, except that the plexiglass that protects the gauges has a few spots on the inside surface. Is there an easy way to yank it out, clean it, and replace it?
I noticed 2 easily-accessible screws on the "ceiling" of the dash - is it safe to remove them to take off the surrounding bezel (which apparently will give me access to the plexi)?
I'd rather not tackle this by trial and error; with my luck, I'll get a face-full of airbag - which, I hear, can ruin one's day.
Thank you very much,
Matt
I bought a 2001 Maxima SE in January - it's in perfect condition, except that the plexiglass that protects the gauges has a few spots on the inside surface. Is there an easy way to yank it out, clean it, and replace it?
I noticed 2 easily-accessible screws on the "ceiling" of the dash - is it safe to remove them to take off the surrounding bezel (which apparently will give me access to the plexi)?
I'd rather not tackle this by trial and error; with my luck, I'll get a face-full of airbag - which, I hear, can ruin one's day.
Thank you very much,
Matt
06-07-2003, 12:40 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,687
Matt,
Unfortunately, there is not an easy way of doing this. Here's the procedure to removing the instrument cluster so you can disassemble it to clean it.
1) Remove the kick panel underneath the steering wheel. There are 2 screws at the bottom of the trim and snaps at the top. Get the screws removed and pull towards the rear of the car to release the snaps.
2) Disconnect the dimmer (and heated steering switch) wires and remove the panel from the work area.
3) Underneath the steering column is a metal support brace that is held on by two nuts. Remove both of them with a socket wrench and remove the plate. The bolts are stationary.
4) About the same location as that bar, but further towards the sky are two more nuts that hold the steering column in place. The bolts are stationary, so you just remove the nuts. This will "drop" the steering column down about 6 inches (which is enough clearance to remove the trim).
5) Using a small screwdriver, remove the 2 bolts at the top of the instrument cluster trim.
6) Using your hands (or a small flat screwdriver wrapped in a cloth), pry apart the top of the cluster trim from the dashboard and pull towards the rear of the car. The bottom of the cluster trim snaps out.
7) Lay the trim off to the side (you do not have to disconnect everything, just move it out of the way)
8) Remove the 3 screws that are holding in the white tabs of the instrument cluster. Pull the cluster out.
9) Disconnect the electrical connectors to the cluster and remove the cluster completely.
10) There are snaps around the clear plastic cover on the cluster. Gently pry the up to remove the plastic cover.
11) Clean the cover and reinstall.
12) Repeat steps 1-9 backwards to reinstall.
NOTE: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION (OR TURN THE CAR ON) WITH THE CLUSTER DISCONNECTED. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Hope this helps.
Unfortunately, there is not an easy way of doing this. Here's the procedure to removing the instrument cluster so you can disassemble it to clean it.
1) Remove the kick panel underneath the steering wheel. There are 2 screws at the bottom of the trim and snaps at the top. Get the screws removed and pull towards the rear of the car to release the snaps.
2) Disconnect the dimmer (and heated steering switch) wires and remove the panel from the work area.
3) Underneath the steering column is a metal support brace that is held on by two nuts. Remove both of them with a socket wrench and remove the plate. The bolts are stationary.
4) About the same location as that bar, but further towards the sky are two more nuts that hold the steering column in place. The bolts are stationary, so you just remove the nuts. This will "drop" the steering column down about 6 inches (which is enough clearance to remove the trim).
5) Using a small screwdriver, remove the 2 bolts at the top of the instrument cluster trim.
6) Using your hands (or a small flat screwdriver wrapped in a cloth), pry apart the top of the cluster trim from the dashboard and pull towards the rear of the car. The bottom of the cluster trim snaps out.
7) Lay the trim off to the side (you do not have to disconnect everything, just move it out of the way)
8) Remove the 3 screws that are holding in the white tabs of the instrument cluster. Pull the cluster out.
9) Disconnect the electrical connectors to the cluster and remove the cluster completely.
10) There are snaps around the clear plastic cover on the cluster. Gently pry the up to remove the plastic cover.
11) Clean the cover and reinstall.
12) Repeat steps 1-9 backwards to reinstall.
NOTE: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION (OR TURN THE CAR ON) WITH THE CLUSTER DISCONNECTED. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Hope this helps.
06-07-2003, 03:17 PM
#3
So much for the no-brainer. Yikes.
Thanks for your detailed reply, Studman (my masculinity shivers by calling you that). It sounds like a lengthy - although straightforward - process; if it ever stops raining in PA, I'll take a stab at it, and report back.
Thanks again - I really appreciate your taking the time.
Thanks for your detailed reply, Studman (my masculinity shivers by calling you that). It sounds like a lengthy - although straightforward - process; if it ever stops raining in PA, I'll take a stab at it, and report back.
Thanks again - I really appreciate your taking the time.
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