INSTRUMENT PANEL MADE EASY

Treads regarding the removal of instrument panel on the 308 are excellent and I wanted to add few tricks for the amateurs out there who may want to access the instrument cluster for any reason. Lots of warning is given against the possible scratching of the leather/vinyl lining of the tunnel housing by the removal or reinstallation of the panel itself. Another problem comes from the difficult access to the 2 upper Pillips srews during re-installation. Well here are my suggestions...
1. Apply a generous coat of your favorite leather cream to the inside of the tunnel.
2. Apply a sheet of plastic food wrapping (Saran Wrap or similar) all around the tunnel. The treated surface will adhere to the cellophane film very easily.
3.Using a thin maleable plastic ruler, slide the cellophane edges under the trapezoid edges of the panel. This should be easy in the straight lines but may require digital pressure at the 4 corners .There is padding all under the vinyl and you should be able to slide at least part of the plastic film in these corners.
4. Insert your fingers in the holes left by the removal of the 4 warning lights and pull gently starting at the top without damaging anything!
5. To re-insert, leave the plastic film in place and make sure the 4 corners are now covered.
6. Find 2 metallic rods about 1 foot long and thin enough to slide inside the 2 holes where the 2 upper screws are suppused to fit in.
7 Slide these 2 rods through the 2 upper holes in the instrument panel and slide their extremities into the 2 screws holes in the depth of the housing hood. A head lamp helps.
8. You now have your panel ready to slide in place guided by the 2 metallic rods!
9. Once the panel in place , remove only one rod at a time to keep the aligment while you install the Pillip screw .
10. To keep the srew on place ,I use 2 narrow strips of masking tape on the driver holding to the head of the srew only.
Et voila Hope it can help.

 

Absolutely! Its varnish surface will let the whole panel "glide" without a scratch.