GT dash removal

[nyackanich]

Anyone out there who knows how many screws and/or bolts to remove 72 Opel GT dash and where they are located? I seem to see 4 hex screws alongside lip by windshield. Are there any other than those?

[gtblast]

I recall four across the top at the windshield, three on each side by the door, two at the bottom where the center gauge cluster resides, and two nuts at the steering column mount, which should already be loose once the column is dropped.

[nyackanich]

Got it. I had difficulty locating the 3 at each side by the doors. Thanks!

[Redskinsjbs]

Is it possible to remove the four screws by the windsheild without removing the windsheild itself? I really really really don't want to have to take out the windsheild

[PROPEL]

Absolutely possible! But putting those screws back in is a pain.

[Redskinsjbs]

How?

[gtblast]

Jay,
Remember we talked about this when you picked up the dash. It is tricky, but you can do it. I used a variety of screw drivers, including long and short phillips and flat blades. I also used a phillips bit like you would use in a drill, and used it with a small socket set and several long extensions. When you put the dash back in, use a long ice pick to locate the holes.
Fred

[jordan]

I saw a screwdriver at sears a few years ago that was like an 18" flexible section with a hex holder on the end for different bit inserts. It looked like it was made for the job, of course I saw that right after I removed and reinstalled a dash so didn't purchase one.

[free4u2nv]

Need a woman to show ya how?
Have fun! I bent the end of a screw driver. Slow process making the turns but easier access.

[Lindsay]

Originally Posted by nyackanich Anyone out there who knows how many screws and/or bolts to remove 72 Opel GT dash and where they are located? I seem to see 4 hex screws alongside lip by windshield. Are there any other than those?

If there were (4) hex screws at windshield, somebody replaced the original factory phillips screws.

[OPELFIEND]

One of my GTs has no screws on either side of the dash next to the doors. What size of screw and are there threaded places back there? Can't tell.

[markandson]

Originally Posted by OPELFIEND One of my GTs has no screws on either side of the dash next to the doors. What size of screw and are there threaded places back there? Can't tell.

You can use #8 Flat or Oval head (preferred) 1 1/2" long screws. There are bent sheet metal clips that accept the screws behind the dash.

[Redskinsjbs]

Ok, So I finally broke down and bought a couple of trick tools to do the job.

I first sprayed all of the screws with penetrating oil to make the process as easy as it could be.

I tried a tiny ratcheting screwdriver first, but that didn't have enough reach to it, plus it was really awkward to hold down between the glass and the dash---so it failed my test

I then tried a really long Philips screwdriver, and I mean long; 18". No good. The angle that the screwdriver made was still too shallow to seat properly into the screw's head---so it failed my test

Finally I pulled out all of the stops. I used a ratcheting screwdriver, a flexible extension, and a very long Philips bit. This setup worked like a charm! The long Philips bit gave me the reach I needed in order to get past the window rubber. The flexible extension allowed me to get the bit end properly aligned and easily use the screwdriver handle. And the ratcheting screwdriver allowed me to keep my hands in precisely the same position (I didn't have to let got of the screwdriver in order to keep turning it) so as not to disrupt the seat of the bit in the screw once it finally got there. (Picture of the setup in action attached)

With the final setup it took me about 5 minutes to remove the screws... Total! 1 minute per screw with 15 seconds for placement on each. I couldn't believe it! The expense of the long bit and the flexible extension was only 15$, I already had the ratcheting screwdriver but they are about 25$, but it was well worth it because of the amount of time it saved me!

[Redskinsjbs]

Ok, Here is a vid of the tool combination I used

[P.J. Romano]

Good job and nice videos! Probably the most instructive information on GT dash removal, ever. It will make many people happy.

[Gordy]

very good job! Thanks for sharing the tip and the vid!

[saxybiker]

Jay - great job! I used a similar set-up, but instead of the ratcheting screwdriver, I used an electric one. Everyone will tell you, I love my power tools!

Allen Gage

[Redskinsjbs]

Thanks Guys, I just figured that since I found a good solution, the next shouldn't have to struggle in finding it either.

Is there any other part about fixing our Opels that is not well documented?

[First opel 1981]

Just pulled mine with the windshield still in the car. It was MUCH easier than I thought it would be. The entire dash was pulled in less than an hour. The part that took the most time was pulling the 4 screws along the windshield. Those took about 5 minutes.
I used the flexible screwdriver to remove the 4 screws along the windshield. It was actually pretty easy to do once I got the angle on the first one.
I will put it back in using torx head screws so it won't be as hard to keep the screwdriver head in the screws.

Next up is repairing the defrost vents and the dash. The defrost vents are going to be built up with ABS cement (the black stuff that is basically dissolved ABS plastic) and some sanding. The dash is getting repaired using the bumper repair method in this thread
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/2b-seat...sh-repair.html