How Do I Remove 521 Dashpad?

[dqami]

I did a search and found nothing so does anyone have info on how to remove the dashpad out of a 521?

[Pacific coast Datsun]

I say remove the dash & then look underneath & see if theres any bolts holding the pad on. Ive only seen 1 521 dash w/out the pad & it was'nt smooth like the 520 dash's are but didnt look that bad.

[WICKED JESTER]

I did a search and found nothing so does anyone have info on how to remove the dashpad out of a 521?

 

i just removed my 521 dash pad there are 4 bolts that hold it to the firewall and 2 bolts that hold it on the sides 1 on each side 4 bolts that hold it to the actual dash frame i found it much easier to remove the whole dash hope this helps

[dqami]

Thanks. That should save me some time. I was looking in the wrecking yard at a 521 and couldn't see how the heck to remove the dash. Any suggestions?

[mklotz70]

Here's the underside of an all steel 520 dash. The hard ones to get at are the ones that hold this to the rest of the dash. They are phillips head screws that are not anchored or captured. Take some needle nose vise grips with you if you want any hope in removing them without taking out the rest of the dash. I simply pulled the dash when I got this one.

 

 

To pull the dash, take out the two bolts that hold the steering column to the bottom of the dash. There's one on each side holding it below the "A" pillars. Take out the glove box and speedo assy to get the 4 holding it to the firewall. The heater controls can be disconnected before or after. Wiring...disconnect after. You'll just have to pull the column down to the the dash out since it's pinched between the column and the brace.

[dat521gatherer]

great job mike. i've heard this question at least once before and was thinking it would be way more helpful if someone just posted a pic of the dash pad/cap while its out to show where the holes are.

 

what are those 520 dash cap's going for these days? i dont suppose you want to get rid of it?:D

[dqami]

That's awesome! Thank you!!! This should go into the FAQ.

[mklotz70]

I could probably find the pics of what I did for Paula's cap and post them. I JB welded the screws in place and slotted the other holes. I can remove her pad without taking the dash out :)

[mklotz70]

Found the pics...there's a bunch, so I'll do thumbnails or it'll take forever to load. I'm not going to take the time to explain much, the pics should tell most of it. I didn't like how the ends came out, so I think I'll use the sewing machine and put some seams in the next one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mklotz70]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mklotz70]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mklotz70]

I should have posted these first, but they were buried in a different file and didn't find them....and I'm to lazy to re-edit the first posting :)

 

This is the original dash. The ducts were broken because they hang on only one bolt...so I modified the dash to use 3 mounts. I got the hard, brittle vinyl off with a heat gun. Comes right off. Once it cools, it's extremely brittle. I dropped a piece on the floor and it shattered :) I used the angle grinder and 40 grit? disc to grind down the high spots at the cracks. I then used expanding foam insulation to fill them. A razor knife takes down the excess and the sanding block cleans it up. Then you can start with the first set of pics showing the foam covering. If you get it smooth enough, you wouldn't need the 1/4" foam, but it helps to cover any waves that are left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dqami]

Wow, that's impressive!:)