Instrument Panel Top Pad: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
- Grasp left A-pillar trim and pull outward from A-pillar, then remove trim. Repeat procedure for right A-pillar trim. Using trim stick or other wide flat-bladed tool, gently pry rear edge (farthest from windshield) of top cover up and away from instrument panel. See Figure . Disengage 4 retaining clips and remove top cover.
- Remove 4 instrument panel top pad mounting nuts located on dash panel, near windshield fence line. See Figure . Remove speakers from instrument panel top pad, if equipped. Disengage speaker wire harnesses from retainers and tuck wire harness in defroster ducts to keep out of way.
- Remove 2 retaining screws securing security set light/ultra light sensor unit to top pad outboard of left defroster duct, if equipped. Position security set lamp/ultra light sensor unit toward windshield to keep out of way. Remove ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC). See ELECTROMECHANICAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (EMIC) .
- Remove fuse cover from fuse block under instrument panel. Remove 3 steering column opening cover retaining screws. Pull steering column opening cover rearward to disengage retaining clips. Remove steering column opening cover.
- Open glove box. Reach into glove box and with middle finger of each hand, deflect rubber flap of 2 glove box stop bumpers on upper glove box opening reinforcement toward front of vehicle. Roll glove box door downward until stops on back edge of glove box bin pass through rubber stop bumper in upper glove box opening reinforcement.
- Firmly grasp both ends of glove box door. Twist and pull door as necessary to disengage inboard hinge hook from inboard hinge pin on instrument panel and reorient hook to underside of hinge pin. See Figure . Raise glove box door until perpendicular to instrument panel. Twist door slightly counterclockwise, while jiggling to disengage remaining 2 hinge hooks hinge pins and remove glove box.
- Remove 4 passenger-side end cap retaining screws. Pull end cap straight back to disengage clip and remove end cap. Remove 3 lower right center bezel retaining screws. Pull bezel straight back to disengage 2 clips from instrument panel top pad and remove bezel. Reach through glove box opening and depress glove box light and switch housing retaining latches. Pull light and switch out and disconnect wire harness, then remove light and switch.
- Remove 4 retaining screws on glove box opening upper reinforcement. Using trim stick or other flat-bladed tool, gently pry 4 corners of center upper bezel (around radio) away from instrument panel to disengage 4 clips. Remove bezel. Using same tool, gently pry 4 corners of center lower bezel (below A/C-heater controls) away from instrument panel to disengage 4 clips. Remove bezel.
- Remove 4 radio retaining screws. Pull radio out far enough to access and remove retaining screws securing top pad to structural duct. Remove 4 A/C-heater control retaining screws. Pull A/C-heater controls out far enough to access and remove retaining screws securing top pad to structural duct. Remove retaining screws securing perimeter of instrument panel top pad to instrument panel structural duct.
- Remove front bin in center console. Reach through front bin opening and remove 2 center floor tunnel bracket retaining screws and loosen 2 center floor tunnel bracket nuts. Slide center floor tunnel bracket rearward and disengage locating hole from locating pin on instrument panel structural duct. Remove instrument panel top pad.