Attempted to remove the switch panel below the dash instruments on my '69 to repaint/recondition it. From what I read, the switches (lights, wipers, etc) come out with the panel and the wiring could then be disconnected from the back of the switches. Is that correct? Also, after I removed the four screws on the switch panel and tried to pull the panel out, it was stuck so I didn't try to force it. Is there something else that's holding the panel in place?
Switch Panel Removal
- Thread starter tdex
- Start date
69hemibeep
Sponge Bob Square Wheels
It pushes into the pad, be careful prying it out if the pad is hard it will crack.
quikbird
Well-Known Member
As bob said. Sometimes you need to loosen or remove the dash pad to uncover the panel.
Rhill5371
Member
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- Feb 4, 2019
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I just did this recently. Loosening the speed nuts that hold on the lower dash pad may help, but the ends will still be tight. Try pulling the panel out on the left side first since the corners of the panel may be more rounded. DON'T get in a hurry!. Like Quikbird said, you may also have to remove the lower pad. I wish someone would have told me that. When removed, it may help to round the corners of the panel a bit to help to reinstall since the lower vinyl padding tends to distort or swell. That's the best advice I got.
Rapid Transit
Just A Traveler In Time
Help
I'm trying to remove the lower pad assembly.
I took off the speed nuts from the lower pad and the black screws from the center switch section.
The whole thing moves but will not come out.
The top center and left side seems to be holding it.
The top moves about 3/8 inch away from the cluster.
I even unplugged some things.
The left side of the center switch section has started to slip forward past the rubber pad as well.
(Towards the engine compartment. The wrong way)
Just wanted to be sure there is nothing else.
I'm understanding that the center switch section should even come out WITHOUT the pad even having to be out?
I'm real good at A bodies but this is kicking me.
I'm trying to remove the lower pad assembly.
I took off the speed nuts from the lower pad and the black screws from the center switch section.
The whole thing moves but will not come out.
The top center and left side seems to be holding it.
The top moves about 3/8 inch away from the cluster.
I even unplugged some things.
The left side of the center switch section has started to slip forward past the rubber pad as well.
(Towards the engine compartment. The wrong way)
Just wanted to be sure there is nothing else.
I'm understanding that the center switch section should even come out WITHOUT the pad even having to be out?
I'm real good at A bodies but this is kicking me.
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Anthony69Runner
Well-Known Member
the dimmer switch sometimes it holds it in. Remove the switch from the back. It should come out.
quikbird
Well-Known Member
Should come out by itself but easier if pad comes out. The pad is a real pain to get to all the nuts
69hemibeep
Sponge Bob Square Wheels
The pads shrink over time making the switch panel hard to get out.
RGAZ
Active Member
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- Apr 2, 2020
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Remove the pad with the panel if you can to prevent damage to pad. Yes, there are a lot of speednuts on the pad. If you don't want to , then I also recommend removing the dimmer switch as it is really a tight fit.
Every slotted/larger hole you see below is a bolt holding the pad. (Ignore the bottom right one).
Every slotted/larger hole you see below is a bolt holding the pad. (Ignore the bottom right one).
Rapid Transit
Just A Traveler In Time
I may have misunderstood.
But I thought everyone was telling me the pad could be removed along with the switch center section as an assembly.
That is not the case as I found out this weekend.
There are 3 screws holding the upper pad to the instrument cluster that are behind the top of switch center section. Via metal tabs..
In other words unless you can move the switch panel enough to get those screws, the pad will NOT come out along with the switch center section.
I moved the instrument center section enough to get the screws, but normally this does not seem to be possible.
Or at least easy.
But I thought everyone was telling me the pad could be removed along with the switch center section as an assembly.
That is not the case as I found out this weekend.
There are 3 screws holding the upper pad to the instrument cluster that are behind the top of switch center section. Via metal tabs..
In other words unless you can move the switch panel enough to get those screws, the pad will NOT come out along with the switch center section.
I moved the instrument center section enough to get the screws, but normally this does not seem to be possible.
Or at least easy.
droptop
Well-Known Member
Switch panel first. It will come out but be very careful. I use a heat gun to warm the pad in the corners to reduce the chances for damage.
Rapid Transit
Just A Traveler In Time
If the pad is shrunken and hard as mine is , that increases the difficulty 12 fold to almost impossible in situ.
It even seems that the pad opening might have to be spread apart for removal and installation with a pliable unit.
I used a heat gun after I got it out to try and correct some mis fitting that has occurred.
But putting a heat gun on the pad close to the plastic worried me.
I got the switch panel out first.
It even seems that the pad opening might have to be spread apart for removal and installation with a pliable unit.
I used a heat gun after I got it out to try and correct some mis fitting that has occurred.
But putting a heat gun on the pad close to the plastic worried me.
I got the switch panel out first.
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