Write-Up: Riv Dash and Door Removal

Oh right, winter break may be a month long for me but it's a cold month...

I dunno. Out of all the cars I've screwed with (4). This was the easiest dash to take apart. Granted, there are a lot of steps but the puts are pretty sturdy. The Regal on the other hand... Ugh. Those clips are scary and could break at any time.

That's actually pretty reassuring. If there's a nice day during the break I'll see what I can do. Seems to be straightforward, I just need to know where a good place to mount the steering wheel module and possibly bluetooth module is.



Also, how do I remove the CD player at the bottom of the center console?

I lost one of the (6) black push pins that goes into the black panel that goes underneath the underhang on the top of the dash. These look like an odd piece that I can't just get at the local hardware or car parts store... Am I correct in assuming this? For now, I modified one of my smaller universal push pins to go in its place.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

They are available from GM. I think Derek (Deekster) had mentioned a while back he had to buy them by the bag of 10. They may also be available at NAPA as they carry or can get a lot of the OEM plastic fasteners.
Try and get the OEM P/N from Derek and if he doesn't have any left, NAPA has a separate book of all Plastic fasteners for all makes with a cross-reference in the back. I have found some, not all, of the fasteners from them and they won't force you to buy the whole bag even if they have to order a bag.
At least that's been my experience with my local NAPA.

And Oh By The Way, just being nosy, but what did you have the dash of for, any new additions or regular maintenance.

Thanks for the info Rick-MUCH appreciated!

Ugh.... Let me try and explain without going into too much detail. That CC unit I bought from digitaldashsolutions caught fire over the weekend while I was driving to a stag party. It was a disaster. The darn thing was off when it happened. I smelled a very pungent odor that can only be described as burnt plastic and solder. Smoke was billowing out of the dash in the CC area. The display, to its credit, stayed on for almost 2 minutes while I cursed at it and then it finally blinked once and went out. Luckily, it didn\'t melt anything or kill anything else electronic in the dash. I purchased a used one on ebay (not sure why i didn\'t just bite the bullet and do this sooner) and installed. Everything worked perfect--->Not a great circumstance but getting a good used unit is definitely a score. I bagged it for really cheap too so I\'m happy.

I'm sorry, could you explained what burned.?
Was it new or used.?
I'm just a little confused.
Whatever it was you replaced with used, correct.?

Oh, never mind I re-read. Your Climate control Unit that you had problems with in the past.,correct.

Now that you have all this experience with taking the dash apart can I go ahead and order the wood dash kit, and you can tell me what fasteners to by ahead of time, and you'll help me install it it.
Yes or No. It's Ok if you can't help me being summer and all. Everybody, including me has a busy schedule, but because of my back and pain, I'd rather pay you for your help so I don't cripple myself.
Maybe we could plan on meeting at BillBoost's place while he's hosting one of his tuning sessions.?
If his place isn't too far from you or i could drive to your place.

Yep, that one. I know a lot of people have been lucky with the vendor I purchased mine from but the one I received was junk. It was a recon with everything resoldered, new bulbs if necessary, the whole nine. Thing never worked right...

The one I replaced it with was just a used one off ebay. Came out of a 96'. Buttons look nicer and it works perfect. Hope it holds up.

I do still have some of those push-pins for the black strip below the dash.

the write up for the removal is kinda mehhh with out pics ... where should i start?? i have a some vibration comming from some place inside my dash drivers side corner by the windshield/daytime running light sensor thingy it sounds like a steel thin bracket of some type by the pitch it makes when it vibrates....

2000ws6transam wrote:

the write up for the removal is kinda mehhh with out pics ... where should i start?? i have a some vibration comming from some place inside my dash drivers side corner by the windshield/daytime running light sensor thingy it sounds like a steel thin bracket of some type by the pitch it makes when it vibrates....

Steve,
Removing the front of the dash is very easy once you have done it. I could walk you through it by phone if you think it would help.

sounds like a plan! off to work here in a min thought maybe on sat.?

2000ws6transam wrote:

sounds like a plan! off to work here in a min thought maybe on sat.?

Sure, I'll PM you my cell

i am trying to take out the stock head unit but i have no idea how to take out the dash any ideas?

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t1187-write-up-riv-dash-and-door-removal?highlight=write+-up

I believe the main access to take off the dash is to the right under the steering wheel. I have never done it. I hope tht helps

Just PM me and I can walk you through it!

I'm not able to see the pictures for the dash removal, any sugestions?
I'm new here, thanks.

rob97 wrote:

I'm not able to see the pictures for the dash removal, any sugestions?
I'm new here, thanks.

If you just need help removing the large flat dash piece, I could walk you through it on the phone. Not that hard. When do you want to do it?

Sorry, but where is the "write up" for removing the dash?
Was the OP deleted by any chance...?

I need to remove the dash to replace the radio.

Jim: the original photos from the write-up have been restored to the OP. The first images are low-res screen captures, but should give the general idea.

AA wrote:

Jim: the original photos from the write-up have been restored to the OP. The first images are low-res screen captures, but should give the general idea.

Thanks a ton! This is exactly what i needed, a great step-by-step walk through.

Does the dashboard need to be removed to remove the trim under the steering wheel. On the 95 the traction control button is in that trim piece and I want to remove it to investigate why my button is not working.

I dont think so! Im almost positive you can completely remove the panel you're talking about without removing anything else. I know for sure you can loosen it at the bottom, cant remember if you can get it right off though!

Negative, You need to loosen the 7mm on each end of the dash panel and gently pry up to loosen the bottom edge. Holding it up gently you will see two 10mm bolts. One behind the headlight switch and one near the traction switch. Let us know what you find!

How do you remove the upper dash? I have a new one coming in the mail and I'd rather know before I got it as opposed to after. I've tried pulling on it with the lower dash out and it came loose, but I can't get it completely out.