Obviously, it isn’t a simple procedure, and if you need help or instructions that are more indepth than Bentley’s, please email or pm me.

A few notes though –
> The screws on top under the vent covers are a pain in the ass. There must be some sort of small angled socket that can get in there. I used a 7mm socket with a set of pliers to get a good grip to loosen the screws. Also watch when screwing back down – the socket spun in my hands and ended up back down the vent and I had to remove the damn dash to get the socket out…
> Wiring while removing the steering wheel is a little tricky. There are a few little tabs that cover some of the connectors that are different. Watch the wire that attaches to the flattened strip that loops around the back of the steering wheel – it isn’t supposed to come out. It slides back in.
> The middle vent is a little tricky too. There is that hot/cold wire that is permanently hooked on to it. I broke the plastic loop that was holding it on for removal. I am not sure if there is another way around that. Hooking it back up is easy. Make sure the radio is out when putting the vent back in so you can manipulate the corresponding vent from the back of the vent.
> If you need to replace the Brake Light Circuit, clutch bushings and microfilter, it is way easier when the dash is off.

(It looks like new. :alright I did this because my car was broken into and the dash was gouged up, fyi.)

It's much easier if you take the old dash out with the vents still attached. There is one up under the driver's side you have to disconnect to get at the bolt up there. Just pull the dash out with them connected and they lift off the center duct.

Reinstall the same way, swap the vents over to new dash if it didn't come with them then line the vents up on the center section when reinstalling. Much easier than taking apart & reinstalling under the dashboard.

[edit] The above is for an E30 dash, newer ones may be different.

Thanks for the edit, because I don't know any other way to remove that line. I don't know about the E30 dash.

Im about to remove my dash to replace my heater core.. i was looking for the bolts that are on top of the dash in the vents.. I can't seem to find them.. do i remove the vents first to expose the bolts? and did you have to completely remove the center console (shifter surround, armrest, cupholders)?

You do have to remove the vents near the windshield. They just pop out. There are three (3) screws holding it down. Two (2) near the outer edges of the vents and one near the centre. They are brass colored and easy to see - but goddamn hard to remove. See my description on how I removed them.

You don't need to remove the centre console area or the armrest...

Good luck....

thanks for the reply... i got the screws out.. i know i have to remove the steering wheel but do i have to actually drop the steering column to the floor?

thanks for the reply... i got the screws out.. i know i have to remove the steering wheel but do i have to actually drop the steering column to the floor?

Good info here...well i have the aftermarket steering wheel so i can remove that easy :) but did you end up droping the steering column to the floor just to get the dash out! btw what types og tools you get the screw out from the top vent!
anymore tips!

thanks

I don't quite remember, but I don't think so. Once the steering wheel is off, the gauge cluster can come out easily and the plastic surrounding pieces on the steering column come out easily.

To get the screws out you need patience. ;) Actually, I just used a screw bit and used my fingers to loosen them. There must be some sort of angled screw driver that can get in there. Good luck.

Good info here...well i have the aftermarket steering wheel so i can remove that easy :) but did you end up droping the steering column to the floor just to get the dash out! btw what types og tools you get the screw out from the top vent!
anymore tips!

thanks

Good info here...well i have the aftermarket steering wheel so i can remove that easy :) but did you end up droping the steering column to the floor just to get the dash out! btw what types og tools you get the screw out from the top vent!
anymore tips!

thanks

Luckly i didn't have to drop the steering column to the floor. The dash came out without having to do that.

Luckly i didn't have to drop the steering column to the floor. The dash came out without having to do that.

was it alot of bolts!