How do you properly remove dash wood?

[pawoSD]

I found a car in the junk yard with MINT wood on the dash (all of it) and I was wondering HOW you remove it properly without breaking anything...? I'd really like to go back and nab it before a jerk destroys it, its beautiful wood! The piece all across the dash from drivers side door to glove box, the glove box wood, and the far right piece by the passenger side vent. The car is an '87 SDL....anyone know how to remove it?

[mbzjag8090]

To do it right you are really going to need to pull the dash. It is possible to do it without removing the dash, but be rest assured you will crack the finish.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by mbzjag8090

To do it right you are really going to need to pull the dash. It is possible to do it without removing the dash, but be rest assured you will crack the finish.

Drat....ok....once you remove the dash (I can do this...) then how does the wood come off?

[mbzjag8090]

If it is the same as an 84 (I would bet it is except for the airbags), you will see little black plastic nuts that attach the wood from the rear. Also, for the left-most wood that extends all the way over the center vents...you will want to tilt the center vents all the way down, and you will see 3 very small screws that go through the center vent assembly and into the wood. And, to top it off, that narrow strip of wood running on top of the center vent assembly is a pretty tight fit. But if the wood is really excellent, then it is worth a try. If you're careful, the pieces will probably come out in good shape.

[mbzjag8090]

Also, if there is no airbag (I don't think all '87 SDLs had them, perhaps none had them), it is easy to remove the glove box wood. Just open it up, remove all of the screws on the back of the door, the handle will fall out of place, and then the wood will come right off.

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I found a car in the junk yard with MINT wood on the dash (all of it) and I was wondering HOW you remove it properly without breaking anything...? I'd really like to go back and nab it before a jerk destroys it, its beautiful wood! The piece all across the dash from drivers side door to glove box, the glove box wood, and the far right piece by the passenger side vent. The car is an '87 SDL....anyone know how to remove it?

What kind of condition is the dash in? Maybe I could buy the dash from you at the right price and then it would be worth your while to take the dash out smoothly. I need a good black dash. My wood is good. And I have a vacuum pod issue or 2 to tackle BEFORE summer.....which here in Memphis is right around the corner.

[pawoSD]

I sorta injured the dash a bit getting out other stuff. It had some cracks...and its dark brown, so you probably wouldn't have wanted it.

What is it with that insane air tube under the drivers kick panel? Its anchored in there like Zeus installed it! I could NOT break it out with any tool I had, and I undid every nut/screw I could find. Crazyness!

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I sorta injured the dash a bit getting out other stuff. It had some cracks...and its dark brown, so you probably wouldn't have wanted it.

What is it with that insane air tube under the drivers kick panel? Its anchored in there like Zeus installed it! I could NOT break it out with any tool I had, and I undid every nut/screw I could find. Crazyness!

Remove the seat and all the carpet.....then slide it out.....

SHUCKS on the dash. Anyone need a Gray one?

[pawoSD]

I like the idea of the air tube they added on the SDL behind the drivers kick panel, nice even heat/cooling to the footwells (not that the early style vent has issues...works fine and much less of a pain) but...its impossible to remove....I wasted 20-25 mins prying/smacking/pulling at it, and it laughed at me! I really knew I was trying to beat up a MB at that point...and it was winning!

All this went on just because I wanted the headlight switch....so I finally pulled the cluster and did it from above.

The wood....if its an epic effort to remove it, I guess I'll give up. I'd really like to replace the left side piece (the biggest one) as mine was water damaged and separated by the drivers side vent, as well as being cracked in a few places....its taken a beating. Perhaps I will go back there soon and figure on spending a day there removing the dash to obtain this exquisite wood. I'd probably want all of it, as its a little darker than the wood in my car. I did take the shifter console wood, which was also real nice.

[SD Blue]

On the W126, it really isn't too bad of a job and you don't need to pull the entire dash. Pull the knee panels, instrument cluster, headlight knob, glove box and the center A/C vent directional vanes. The most difficult area is the key area. I need to get a digital camera as once you see the pieces removed, you will see it is not difficult. Time consuming yes, difficult not at all.

Here are some hints:
The corners (near the doors), each side of the steering column and the key area are held with nuts on studs mounted to the backside. The door pieces are held with (4) nuts also.
Over the center vents, are (3) #1 phillips screws pointing up and screwed into the bottom edge.
The glove box is the easiest with two phillips screws.

Take your time and work your way across. The long piece takes the longest but knowing where to access the nuts makes it easier.

[Hatterasguy]

That thing you were fighting with is for crash protection, I guess its to protect your knees from all the sharp bits under the dash.

Beating it's a waste of time its I think its metal or some brutal tough plastic. Its held in with a bunch of bolts, lay down and look you will see them.

[cphilip]

Originally Posted by daw_two

SHUCKS on the dash. Anyone need a Gray one?

I need a Black one but am not apposed to painting one... you selling? Crack free and what year?

Or why not paint it yourself?