bmwe21.net forums

Hi...
Need some guideline,advise,help...on removing E21 dashboard?what need to go out first?Is it difficult to remove the dashboard?Reason for removing is to reskinning the dash...

Thanks

i would like to know as well.

As far as I know, pretty much everything needs to come out to remove the dash (instruments, center console, hvac controls, glove box) it is then held on with screws or bolts as I recall that are all the way up under the windshield area (pain to get too).

Just out of curiosity, what does reskinning a dashboard cost? I have been interested in getting this done myself, but can't find anyone who does it.

It depends how severe your dashboard needs repair...check this link...
www.consoles.com.au/dashboard.htm
www.dashboarddoctor.com.au/beforeafter.html

Hope that help
Btw...thanks

Thank you for these adresses (although both are locatad VERY far from where I am...)!!!!Very useful!!!
In my opinion, you should have a specialist remove your dash (an electrician preferably), so that everything is done properly, and ask the same person again to re-install it afterwards..!!
I wish you good luck anyway

Hi

It is easy to get the dash out you strip out the binnacle, glove box, heater controls etc, there are a few bolts at the bottom of the a post and a couple of straps from the dash bar.

The hard part is getting it back in and getting the heater duct work and controls to mate up

Jason

A quick search on Google found this tread!

I'm trying to remove the dash from my e21 at the moment, but now having much luck. I've located most of the bolts and it all looks pretty straight forward except i can't get the binalces of clusters out? Any ideas?

There's a thumb screw under the clocks. That is all that holds them in.

Thank you nas80!! Managed to remove the clocks and dash yesterday, I can now get on with repairing my scuttle!

Here's a rubbish little pic to prove it:

Ok, your "rubbish" pic may prove VERY IMPORTANT to me!!!!!
As I have written in other posts, on bumps and potholes of shit greek roads, my dash produces some very bad noises (due to my lack of gentliness once that I was applying some vaseline on it and it seems I pushed too hard) fron the middle and rear (near the front wind screen) part.
Middle+rear: At least I think (my ears tell me so) that the noise is coming from there So here is your rubbish pic with my question:



What are these brackets shown there? Is the dash mounted on them? I may have broken something there, so before taking the whole dash out, it would be good to have an idea...
And how easy is it to reach them and see what happens there? In order to reach these brackets is it requierd to take the whole dash out?

Please Help!!!!

If I ever manage to stop that noise, then I 'll be feeling I drive a BRAND NEW CAR!!!!!!!!!!
No matter how stiff the suspnsion is...

They two brackets you've circled in the photo are for a pair of clips that connect to the back of the dashboard. I didn't need to disconnect these to remove the dash, they simply slide in / out of position.

If you wanted to remove the rattle completely i guess you could change the mounting type to a nut / bolt the same as the ends of the dash.

I see what you mean...
I now think that, most probably, I have done something there, by pressing too hard...
So the "slide-in" mounts might have got out of the holes...Is there a way to reach that point there, and see what happens, and, maybe do some repair without removing the whole dash? Could I put my hands there perhaps by removing the cover of the windscreen wipers in front?

petroscf wrote:I see what you mean...
I now think that, most probably, I have done something there, by pressing too hard...
So the "slide-in" mounts might have got out of the holes...Is there a way to reach that point there, and see what happens, and, maybe do some repair without removing the whole dash? Could I put my hands there perhaps by removing the cover of the windscreen wipers in front?

maybe you should try the 'trial & error' method. surely anyone has been there, but not by always asking those questions, but by trying it yourself. you will learn it 100x easyer that way also.

Martin

Id bet you could see those brackets if you took the heater controls out.

Murran is right though, you have to bite the bullet and go for it.