(12) Remove the instrument panel from the vehi-
cle. Refer to Instrument Panel Assembly in the
Removal and Installation section of this group for the
procedures.
(13) Place the instrument panel on a suitable work
surface. Be certain to take the proper precautions to
protect the instrument panel from any possible cos-
metic damage.
(14) Use a drill motor with a large drill bit, a high-
speed grinder, or a soldering iron with a cutting tip
to remove the collapsed heat stakes from the under-
side of the five instrument panel to dash panel
mounting screw holes at or below the illustrated cut
line (Fig. 27). If the instrument panel top cover is to
be reused, use care not to drill through or to enlarge
the screw holes in the top cover. To prevent the
removal of too much material, use a trim stick or
another suitable wide flat-bladed tool to gently pry
between the top cover and the instrument panel base
bracket near the heat stake during the removal pro-
cess. This will cause the panels to separate notice-
ably when the collapsed heat stake has been
sufficiently removed. After removal, the heat stakes
should be flush with, or protruding no more than 4
millimeters (0.1875 inches) from the lower surface of
the top cover.
Fig. 27 Instrument Panel Top Cover Remove/Install
1 – AREA OF DETAIL
2 – COMPRESSED HEAT STAKE (FACTORY ASSEMBLED TOP
COVER)
3 – HEAT STAKE (NEW TOP COVER)
4 – CUT LINE (REMOVE UNSHADED MATERIAL)
5 – INSTRUMENT PANEL BASE
6 – INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP COVER
7 – MOUNTING SCREW HOLE
8 – FIVE HEAT STAKE LOCATIONS
Fig. 26 Passenger Side Airbag Module Lower
Bracket Screws
1 – GLOVE BOX OPENING
2 – LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL REINFORCEMENT
3 – AIRBAG MODULE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
4 – PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE LOWER BRACKET
SCREWS
DN INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEMS 8E - 31
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
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