kamikaze_rwj

Hey guys,



I can’t seem to get the instrument panel out of my 93 RX-7. Supposedly, there are two screws that go into the bottom of the panel, a retaining clip on the right and left side, and three retaining clips at the front of the dome near the windshield. After I pull the two screws out, the sides unclip and I can wiggle it around and pull it back a bit. But I will be damned if I can get the three retaining clips at the front of the dome to release. I have pulled to the point that I am worried about breaking this fancy piece of plastic. Is there something that I am unaware of that is holding this thing in? Does anyone have any tips for getting it out of the car? The manual is next to useless in this matter and the local Mazda mechanics don’t have a clue, as they have never removed one before. All help is appreciated. I don’t even want to know what it will cost me if I destroy the instrument panel.



Roger

weblair24

Just keep pulling, I just took mine off two days ago. Felt like it was gonna break too, but I got to the point of not caring. So I just pulled harder and finally it came off without breaking and cracking.

kamikaze_rwj

Thanks for the input. I had a feeling that was the answer. I was getting to the point of not caring myself, but that’s usually the queue for me to stop for a bit and think things through before I destroy something. Like I said, I didn’t want to have to buy a new panel. I am sure you could by at least one useful mod for what that thing costs.



You do pull it straight back, don’t you?

Did you remove the steering wheel to help?



Anyway, I really do appreciate your guts and your information.

lilgt6

It's been a while since I had mine out so I'm not sure where all of the screws are. But if you are certain that you have all of the screws out, then just give it a firm tug straight back. I didn't remove the steering wheel to take mine out. It's a tight squeeze to get everything out over the wheel but it can be done. As a side note, be careful when you put it back together. I didn't have one of the clips lined up just right and when I popped it back on the clip turned to the side rather than going in the hole. Also you may want to put some grease or something on the clips as mine sqeakes when I hit bumps now!

amp

make sure of any instrument connectors that may have been caught in something providing resistance..

kamikaze_rwj

These are all really good things to know. I am appreciative as good help is hard to find.





I wish I could do this, but I can’t get it out far enough to see anything back there yet. There is no way I can get my hand in there either. I will have to wait to get it out a little farther before I can check this. I will do it once I can though.

kamikaze_rwj

<Ace Ventura> Aaallllrighty Then! </Ace Ventura>



We know have it out. Just needed to use the old "lethal force".

Thanx for the help guys!



Roger