Pontiac Solstice Forum - View Single Post - Dove into the dashboard... pics and info inside

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIN2020

2KWK4U,

Could you give some steps and tricks for getting grey center piece off?

Any special tools or any what not to do's?

Is it a correct assumption the "IP trim piece" is the center grey piece in your pictures?

Thanks in advance

Yep, that's the piece I'm calling the instrument panel (IP) trim piece. I used a panel popper tool like this one:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

I wrapped that in an old t-shirt, so as not to scratch the plastic if it slipped. You can tell where the clips are by "feel/trial and error." Those clips are pretty tight, as you may know by now. Just take your time and be especially careful around the radio.

If memory serves, its best to take loose the trim ring around the gauges, and maybe even the gauge bezel piece before you pull the IP trim. There are 4 little rubber "feet" on the backside of that bezel piece that are easy to lose into the depths of the dash if you're not careful. Also, you should probably remove the shift boot ring before you pull that piece - the passenger's grab bar as well.

Last but not least, take your time. Good luck!

	2KWK4U Founding Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Less than 2 hours from Nurburgring!	Quote: Originally Posted by VIN2020 2KWK4U, Could you give some steps and tricks for getting grey center piece off? Any special tools or any what not to do's? Is it a correct assumption the "IP trim piece" is the center grey piece in your pictures? Thanks in advance Yep, that's the piece I'm calling the instrument panel (IP) trim piece. I used a panel popper tool like this one: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog I wrapped that in an old t-shirt, so as not to scratch the plastic if it slipped. You can tell where the clips are by "feel/trial and error." Those clips are pretty tight, as you may know by now. Just take your time and be especially careful around the radio. If memory serves, its best to take loose the trim ring around the gauges, and maybe even the gauge bezel piece before you pull the IP trim. There are 4 little rubber "feet" on the backside of that bezel piece that are easy to lose into the depths of the dash if you're not careful. Also, you should probably remove the shift boot ring before you pull that piece - the passenger's grab bar as well. Last but not least, take your time. Good luck!