Sounds like you've loosened the whole dashboard. Now, put those bolts/screws back in.
I think 'lower dash panel', means the cardboard cover under the dash. If yours is still there, it's usually secured under the dash with some small grey press-in button clips, and at the firewall with some screws/bolts at the steering column. If your cardboard cover is free or missing, you should be able to reach up through/around the steering column/handbrake area and push the instrument cluster loose from behind. Sometimes the rubber gasket securing the cluster to the dash shrinks with time and you may be able to simply work the cluster loose by gently tugging on the rheostat knob or odometer reset knob.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW