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removal of an EA-81 dash. Tips?


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here is something that I found while doing a search. It was written by GeneralDisorder. Anyone have anything to add to this or more precise locations of bolts, nuts, etc.? I want to get a new dash for the 83 and i might have found one..... thanks for all input :headbang:

 

GD's post:

 

As for removal tips - I just did this job on Saturday, and I can say that removing the windshield (10 minutes with a utility knife) will really make getting to the bolts on the top of the dash much easier. Of course you can't do this on your car, but at the junk yard it certainly would fly, and make your visit more enjoyable. With the windsheild out, it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to get the dash out. I had never pulled one before either, but if you know where all the bolts and nuts are, then it's actually pretty straightforward. Remove the surround, and the guage cluster first, as well as the drivers side kick panel. Remove the glove box door, and insert. And remove the passenger kick panel/shelf. On top of the dash remove the vent louvers, and there will be three or four bolts underneath that hold the dash down.... various nuts and bolts underneath that hold the dash in place, and of course all the wireing has those wraps on it that hold it to the dash. Couple of zip-ties in there too. I just cut those.

 

GD

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3 bolts on top, one on each end and one in the middle. A real biotch to get out, use a 90deg phillips.

Theres a bolt underneath of each end, once you get access to it you will see it. To remove the center louvers theres a small piece of plastic inbetween the vents. Remove it to access 2 screws. I suggest removing the steering colume, it makes life much easier. The cable for the vent control on top can be another PIA, but it needs to come loose too. The wiring for the heater controls also disconnect, lots of other little wire connectors here and there also.

Thats it in a nutshell, besides the obvious stuff GD mentioned.

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Those dash-top screws have a 10mm bolt head on them (at least on the one I pulled), so a 10mm 1/4"-drive socket/ratchet will get them (I forgot mine :rolleyes: ), as will a 10mm ratcheting box-end wrench (again, forgot mine :mad: )... or a 10mm combo-wrench and a lot of patience. Once I got those top screws out (45 minutes with my wrong tools and time to let my hands uncramp) it was pretty simple to pull the rest. But then, I had the advantage of having a pulled-out example in my van that I could look at beforehand. ;)

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  • 8 years later...

have done several now, two hours out, 2.5 back in.

 

With the heater/ vent control panel it can remain in the main structure of the car if you undo the screws holding it in place and juggle it back through the frame it sits in. Means you only need undo the fresh air in cable at the other end and not disconnect hot cold cable.

 

I was once put off this project by a Subaru specialist workshop by him saying first step in the manual is remove windscreen. The right number of 10mm spanners, sockets n stuff allows the first step to be bypassed. For future access needs, I made one inch holes in the vent cover plastics that cover the three 10mm headed bolts and put one inch rubber bung plugs in place :)

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Eh I've done a few EA81 dashes.  Not that bad really.  I lucked into one in a junkyard and i think i had it out in about an hour even.  The hardest part if i remember is getting at the 10mm bolts that are hiding under trim up near the windshield but you can do it without taking the windshield out.  You just need a very small socket set that fits back there.  

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