So I´m removing my dash...

[StefanLee]

...on my GT and I can't find the oh-so-difficult to unscrew and reattach two screws that hold the dash!

I´ve taken out the screws holding the dash cap left and right, and I've taken out the instrument cluster and dropped the steering column. All that is left is to loosen the dash att he top, but I can´t find the friggin screws. I read in an earlier thread that someone had dropped a screwdriver bit in the ventilation duct, are the screws up there somewhere? I've looked under the dash but can´t see squat. Can they even be seen or do I have to fly blind?

And before you tell me to, I won't remove the front windshield, I don´t have time to wait for a new gasket and I want to try it with the windshield in place.

Stefan

[neuropel]

Is this a GT?

[StefanLee]

Oh, ofcourse it is a GT. My bad!

I was typing a little to quickly for my own good there. I think I´ll edit my first post.

Stefan

[CDN OpelNut]

There are 3 or 4 screws right up front on top of the dash where it meets the windshield - almost impossible to see and get to without a flexible extension. Look from outside the car.

[StefanLee]

From the outside? You mean through the windshield and down on the dash? The PO has covered the top of the dash with some vinyl (that's the reason I´m removing it, so I can have it recovered completely in a professional fashio) and it is in that case covering the screws. If that is so then it´s time for some tearing!

Stefan

[jvandyke]

I finally pulled the windshield after trying for days to even find the screws. My dash is covered in vinyl so that made it worse. When I need it out again I won't hesitate a second to pull the windshield. Came out and went back in no problem, gasket was fine (but it was newer) and chrome locking strip survived too.

[CDN OpelNut]

I mean the screws are easier to see if you look down through the window, but they must be removed from the inside. When I did this last week I had to put the Philips bit into a small socket, use an extension with a u-joint on it. I'm not sure how I'll get them back in.

[jlthunder]

Without removing the windshield, find the longest skinniest screwdriver you can. You can flex the shaft with one hand while turning with the other. I didn't have a phillips, but the flat blade worked since it was so small. Yes, it is a PITA and I'm sure much worse if there is vinyl covering the screws. Good Luck.

[markandson]

You can't see the screws because the PO covered them up with the vinyl, they are usually visible if you are standing outside the car and looking through the glass directly in front of the defroster vents and at the corners near the window pillars. You will have to pull the vinyl back to see them, but since you are recovering anyway it does not matter, get out your trusty knife and go to work! After you can see them you will understand why some people would pull the windshield and others try with small or flexible tools to remove the screws, you can always try to get them out first without removing the windshield and decide for yourself if you should pull it, personally I would pull it out especially for the install so you don't mess up your new dash.

One thing I found out the hard way, when putting the new dash in and you are installing the screws up by the windshield, heat the new cover material with a heat gun a little to soften it up before you install the screws, otherwise your new cover will shear through at the chrome washers since the dash recover material will not perfectly form to the indentations in the dash and there will be little hollow spots under it.

[StefanLee]

Thanks a lot for the fast replies guys, now I know what to look for!

I guess this will be an interesting experience,,,

Stefan

[hallgeir]

I have just put my dash back in. There are 4 screws, and I must say, it is a lot easier to do with the windshield removed. Not only for the screws, but for the whole process. There are two screws in front of the center console too, in case you didn`t see them.
Anyway, here`s where they`re located: