Removing the Dash

[Cosmic Fur]

I have something that fell deep into the crevice between the windshield and the dash that I'd like to get out. I've tried using sticks, wires, etc, all to no avail, so it looks like I'm going to have to take the dash off to retrieve it.

1) Is this an extremely lengthy procedure? How many hours of work am I looking at here? Obviously I've never done this before.

2) I'm looking for instructions on how to do it, I know there are repair manuals out there that tell dealers and mechanics how to disassemble and re-assemble nearly the entire car with helpful diagrams, but I don't know what exactly I'm looking for. ELSA? Bentley? Haynes? EBahn?

Please help.

[fikes]

Long length processes. I have never done it but its a thick dash with many pieces. best bet is to see if you can first take out the glovebox and see if you cant get your hand back there. Next thing to do it start taking off the center console and see if that gets you closer to it next thing is to start taking off the dash with the bolts under it. I have never seen anywhere that tells you how to do this but there might be one somewhere.

[big_greasy_taco]

I am pretty sure the cheapy autozone repair books tell how to remove the dash. Might be worth a check

[Cosmic Fur]

heh, I'm in Canada, we don't have autozone unfortunately.

[NK2007]

Although I have never removed the dash in an A4, i completely gutted my xterra to clean the previous owner's smoking smell. I didn't have a manual for it, but it was pretty easy. You can probably do it in a day. The hardest part is finding all the screws. Usually there are several screws holding each part in, and once you remove those, there are clips that hold the part in. To get past these, just pop the parts out. Be careful, and make sure to disconnect any wires as you take parts out. Take your time, and take note of different screws, and where they go. Once all the parts (gauges, glovebox, radio, etc) are out, the actual dash should be bolted to a metal support. Remove these bolts, and the dash should come out. This part it is best to have someone to help, although it is possible to do.

Good luck, and remember, TAKE YOUR TIME to prevent damage to parts.

Neill

[NK2007]

Here you go, this should help!
This isn't my site, but thanks to the owner!

http://www.mycarbl0ws.com/audi_b5/Bo...nt%20panel.pdf

[Ewok_Fetus]

Quit putting your weed/crank/crack/speed/heroin/acid/shrooms on your dash...

[onemoremile]

This is not an Xterra. Not even remotely close. The Japanese make a car easy to work with while the Germans don't see that as something to be bothered with. They just want to make it more intricate and technical. This car comes apart and goes back together in order.

You have to unbolt the rear of the center console (the big piece under the armrest) and move it back a few inches so the front center console (big piece around the shifter) can be removed. Then drop the steering column and remove the instrument cluster, radio, and hvac controls. Then the directions above apply.

[NK2007]

This is not an Xterra.

Did I say it was? I was simply offering some help, from my experience.

Not even close

Umm I am pretty sure it is fairly close to what i had to do. The only thing that you mentioned having to do that i didn't is dropping the steering column. Everything else is VERY similar to the xterra.

And, as you can see in my second reply, i provided a link to the service manual that shows dropping the steering column.

his car comes apart and goes back together in order.

Yea... most cars do...

Anyway, Cosmic Fur, hope you got some answers from this thread!

[onemoremile]

You're arguing with me about this after I show pictures of the dash I removed? You must be new.

I owned and operated a car audio store and have done hundreds of installs. Japanese vehicles are dramatically easier to work on than German. Even if the steps are the same the level of detail, fastener selection, number of components, etc. are definitely not. The worst by far are the British cars. I'll never do an install in a Jaguar again. German cars take 50% more time to work on than Japanese while British are easily twice that.

[nyca4tq]

Holy shite 1mm...........!!!!!Thats a lot of shitein work!!!

[Squarrl]

I have helped remove an audi dash... having a friend help is really important. Its hard too.

[baboom]

what did you drop??dirty magazine??

if its metal just get a magnet and the dash isn't all that bad really i dropped a silver certificate in mine i think it was a couple bolts and snaps me and a friend did it i think there is a write up somewhere

[nyca4tq]

I have something that fell deep into the crevice between the windshield and the dash that I'd like to get out. I've tried using sticks, wires, etc, all to no avail, so it looks like I'm going to have to take the dash off to retrieve it.

1) Is this an extremely lengthy procedure? How many hours of work am I looking at here? Obviously I've never done this before.

2) I'm looking for instructions on how to do it, I know there are repair manuals out there that tell dealers and mechanics how to disassemble and re-assemble nearly the entire car with helpful diagrams, but I don't know what exactly I'm looking for. ELSA? Bentley? Haynes? EBahn?

Please help.

Put it on a rotisseri and shake it........Sorry couldnt resist.