Testarossa dash removal

If I am not mistaken, you pull it out. It's snapped in. (The 512TR is like that).

 

Stretching the old memory now Phil.

Have a look at these pictures. Might give you a clue.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

You can see in both pictures that there are two protrusions sticking out that I reckon would be right behind that part. Two bolts in there that would appear to support something substantial.

I can't find a picture of that part alone to see if there are any screw holes or clips visible.

I'll have a look in an hour when I go to the shed and see if it jogs my memory.

I've been putting off tracing a broken wire that runs the horns so now that you have put the pressure on, looks like I'll be doing that today so as I'm in the right area.

Standby bloke!

 

Pretty sure it pulls towards the back of the car Phil.

Might be a good time to make some amendments and additions to my steps Phil.

1. Remove the console side panels, leather and carpeted on both sides.
2. Locate the 8mm bolts top and bottom of the centre console behind the odometer and fuel gauges. Unplug the gauges then undo the 8mm nuts and slide the gauge module out carefully.
3. Remove the two screws under the centre leather cover below the air vents and remove the cover.
4. Undo the two nuts and one bolt on that anodised bracket that you see behind this cover. Remove the bracket.
5. At the lower end of the centre console you will find four 8mm bolts holding the upper console to the lower console. Remove them and then remove the centre console.
6. Remove the leather gaiter around the steering column.
7. Remove the steering wheel. You will need a puller to remove the boss from the shaft.
8. Undo the 19mm nut on the steering height adjuster and remove the entire unit to allow the column to drop down.
9. Undo the two screws in the steering cover and remove the upper shell section. The part that has the VIN plate on it.
10. Undo the 10mm nut that holds the leather panel directly in the middle of the steering column and now exposed due to removal of the steering column cover shell.
11. After removing the leather panel, now undo the two 10mm bolts that were behind it that hold the instrument binnacle in place.
12. Remove the side kick panels that hold the speakers. (Both)
13. Unplug the dash and lift it out of the way.
14. Remove the 10mm bolts and nuts now seen behind the dash cluster.
15. Remove the leather trim behind the glovebox. Two screws underneath. This exposes another 10mm bolt. Remove this.
16. Now looking upwards whilst laying on your back and basically where your tweeters are you will see one 10mm bolt per side holding the black aluminium box tube. Remove these.
17. At this point (unless I've forgotten any) you can lift the dash away slightly but not completely.
18. Remove wires from AC sensor on drivers side of dash.
19. Remove tweeter wires on both sides.
20. Unplug your stereo (if fitted) as you will now be able to see the rear of the stereo unit protruding through the back of the dash panel.

Lift the dash out now and lay it somewhere carefully so as not to scratch the leather.

Now you can see the glued down section of the front crescent shaped panel as described in my former post.


Add and change to reflect your own experiences and I'll repost it on FezOz.

 

After you get the center leather panel off, and remove the two fasteners that you highlighted, the instrument binnacle "hinges" upward along the back edge and releases two clips under the back edge for removal:
Image Unavailable, Please Login

AFAIK, only the center nut holds the center leather panel in place (and tilting the steering column down may give you more clearance for removal), but always possible that someone added fasteners or glue during a previous disassembly/reassembly.

Looks like those two fasteners under the center leather panel are slightly different on some TR. In the example you posted, and the example from someone else shown above "hinging" out the instrument binnacle, looks like there's just holes in the main dash carcass and the fixed studs are in the instrument binnacle, while some (mine) seem to have fixed studs in the main dash carcass and the holes in the instrument binnacle:
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Yah, go Phil>

Where's your pictures Phil. More interesting as your dash is on the right (correct) side of the car.

 

Yep, it's about time Mark had a break. He's a good lad.

Email to [email protected]. Send the text as well and I'll figure out which of your photos matches your text. Then I can modify the page on my site and be more concise.

Do you use windows live messenger?

 

Guys those pics are very interesting. I have a LHD Testarossa 1986 imported to Australia from the USA and have for some time though about converting it to RHD. I can get the pedal kit and a steering rack very cheap but if i just get the RHD metal plate that all the leather dash parts bolt on to I don't need to import a whole new dash. I can just get the metal plate, bolt on the instrument housing, glove box, aircon boxes, and steering column.

x1 Steering rack (used) £400.00 in stock
x1 Pedal box complete (used) £1500.00 (with brake pump)
Postage from UK to Australia £450.00.

to buy a new dash is £1,800.00 - and mine is pefect so makes no sense getting another.

It might even be possible to just dissect my current metal plate, swap the arch where the steering column goes with the metal section that the glove box bolts on to then weld it back together and its all ready to go?

Woud that make sense?

Sorry I didnt mean to hijack the thread.

Hear is my very crude diagram of a proposed cut and swap the re-weld.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

On my 88 T/R I made two cuts down the middle of the dash top from right to left, took out that section of the leather and underlayment then removed the leather dash top in two pieces, made a templet of the top out of very thin plywood had it covered with leather of the same texture then dyed it with Leatherique's dye, I had sent them a sample. The new top slides easily into place and looks perfect, can not tell from oem. Never took a thing off the dash to do this. Very easy fix, but that first cut took a leap of faith.

 

Just curious if you had any pictures of your project?

 

Goodies, there is a hell of a lot more to a TT conversion than that.

Having had two of my three down to the firewall now, I was amazed at how much work would be required to do this properly. Also, the LHS and RHS inner wheel arches are slightly differnet in shape and unless this is rectified you will have less pedal room. I've seen a number of Testa USA conversion that have been imported to Oz and this is the first tell tale sign for me, apart from the non RHD VIN number of course.

 

Ok you needed to do this because the instument cluster housing has a recess into the leather dash top? ie when folded in half length ways the dash top is not symetrical? My car is not at my house today so just trying to imagine it.

 

Thanks ok I didnt know that. The guy doing the work is an expert but I am just trying to anticipate problems now.

 

I have a question about dash removal in a testarossa 1986
If anyone that has done this can call mE at 6155580343 nashville tn
It would be great
Preston

 

What Q ?

 

strange,
a member here since more than 3 years and not even filled out the profile and not introducing himself?
but asking here to call him back

 

Sad that you question any one who does not fill out their profile.....maybe weird

 

You think it's weird for someone to ask a person to introduce themselves prior to asking for help let alone asking someone to call them? Romano is a wonderful person who is always willing to help ANYONE as long as you fill out your profile Did you pick up the phone and call the guy?

 

No, I agree fully with Romano and Jeff ... why do people "stay in the dark" and expect service and help ?