California Dash Top Panel Removal

Hi,
I would be interested to know how you removed the small top center, is it possible without removing the larger panel?

 

Thanks!

 

Did it work for you? I have 2015 Cali T and trying to pop that off too to realign the leather that's slightly stretched out of place. I found two screws just below and they seem to hold the larger piece in place.

 

Not sure on the Cali T, but on my 13 Cali, the top peice pops off from the back and slides forward slightly to remove.

 

Hi All, I too have the same issue where the leather has peeled back a bit. I removed the smaller top piece without any issues. I also removed the 2 allen screws that appear to be holding down the larger piece. But I still cannot seem to get the larger piece to come out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

To remove the binnacle you must remove the screws for the instrument cluster then there are 3 pins holding it down. Once you've done the two top Allen bolts and front cluster screws it pops off.

 

I also wanted to clean off the sticky gunk on my dash assembly. After many, many, many searches, I found an amazing video showing exactly how to remove the complete instrument cluster. From there, I disassembled the instrument cluster into about six individual components. Then, using hand sanitizer and a couple of rolls of paper towels, I cleaned each component. I don't know if the forum allows typing the actual website. But the company is called SKF (super kilometer filter). If you take the instrument cluster apart, I think the speedometer lens is curved. So make sure you note if it is concave or convex facing outward. I believe this is to reduce glare. I did not pay attention to this and had to experiment under different lighting conditions to determine the best guess orientation (concave outward). Also, when disassembling the speedometer, be careful to collect at least four 1/2 inch long x 1/32 inch round rubber tube spacers that go between the lens and the plastic lens housing to prevent rattling. Also, pay close attention to the video removal sequence. I think the video shows the left side of the assembly is pulled up, then the right side. At any rate, follow the sequence. In the end, I was able to clean up everything, reinstall, and everything worked. Good luck!

 

Happy to help. If you have any questions when you get into your cluster components, let me know.

 

Stickies and peeling leather seem to be the hallmarks of Ferraris! Thanks for the helpful info.

 

Hi Mr Leather Tech On my 2015 Cali T , trying to figure out how to remove top leather cover over instrument panel. I found 2 screws at top above instruments but not sure how to remove it from there. Are there more screws I must remove ? Thanks so much in advance for your help .

 

Hi , still not sure how to remove top cluster cover?? Yep found the two screws in top front and after removing them cover doesn’t come off. Are there more I must remove ??

 

I am wondering the answer to this as well. I see a screw below each of the leather pieces. Is it a slide and pull thing to get out or are there other screws?

 

James, did you try sliding and pulling out after you unbolted the screws? I am thinking maybe it is similar to the prior Cali, where some pieces have to be unbolted then pulled or pushed.

 

Yep just have to pull up really hard - there are snap fittings . I carefully used a plastic trim wedge and they snapped open . Thanks

 

Any Pics of the Cali T cover to show the clip locations? Are the only screws the two small ones above the gauges?
Thanks in advance

 

I’m also trying to remove the instrument cluster on my ‘13 Cali and I’ve read this post and watched the video carefully. I’ve gotten the top binnacle off and removed the two screws at the bottom of the gauges then pried up the steering column upper clamshell but the unit will not come out. I’ve pulled and pried but no luck. It’s somewhat loose at the front - I can rock it slightly but it sure feels like it’s still anchored at the back. I’ve seen the video and done everything the same way, but their unit (instruments and attached upper dash clam shell) just pops right out.

Has anyone removed the entire instrument cluster? Thanks.

 

I finally got it after finding a picture of the underside of the dash cover so I could see what was holding it in place. There are two metal pins at the 10:30 and 1:30 position of the rear of the cover (the part closest to the windshield when it’s installed) as shown in the photo, and they are the devil to pry up. Do one at a time with both hands, sliding your fingers under the edge and pull up as hard as you can. The dash cover is attached to the instrument cluster with the two black screws near the pins, so the only reason to remove the dash panel is to remove the instrument cluster.

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What was the website where you found this instructional video?

 

DISCLAIMER: It’s a video about how to block your odometer, which obviously is immoral if not illegal, so don’t do it.

But it’s also a very good tutorial on removing the instrument cluster. I’ll tell you from experience that when you remove the two screws underneath the instruments, use a magnetic tool or they will fall into a difficult place to retrieve them. It’s also impossible to put them back in unless you can keep them attached to the tool while you insert them. They are set back about four inches from the face of the dash.

Also be aware that the instrument cluster itself is bolted to the turtle back section of the dash. So you can remove the binnacle (the smaller section on top) by itself, but the larger base section can only be removed by taking the instrument cluster with it. They can then be separated. See the picture in my post above with the whole thing sitting in my lap upside down.