Early 5th Gen dash removal

[SummitWhite11]

How many of you have done this before and was it your first time doing so? I cannot justify spending upwards of $2200-$3200 for the dealer to remove my dash and install a new evaporator. That's insanity at its best!



I am pretty handy and can do a lot of things when it comes to car repair and restoration, but the dash on the 5th gen gets me nervous. I have done it before in my old 3rd Gen Camaro. I was also able to replace the heater core in my old 87 Corvette I once owned by standing on my head ha! And that was without the dash removal or windshield removal.



Any input is appreciated!

[Arogg]

Ive never had to remove my dash ( I have a 2010) but i do believe the windshield has to come out to access some of the hardware to remove the dash

[Eddymel1998]

I've removed the dash on my 2010 when installing the HUD, I did it pretty much by myself (except getting the dash out for he car, it's much easier with 2 people) with basic tools, it is very involved though, kinda tedious and you have to be careful because there are bolts that some guides mention but others don't, even repair manuals leave out a few. I had basic tools and experience when I did it and it took me maybe 3-4 days to remove and reinstall, my best piece of advice is get few scrap sheets of cardboard and stick all the bolts in there with notes on where they go, there are too many bolts with different sizes to keep track of otherwise like this:

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by Arogg

Ive never had to remove my dash ( I have a 2010) but i do believe the windshield has to come out to access some of the hardware to remove the dash

There is a video out there showing it can be done without removing the windshield.

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by Eddymel1998

I've removed the dash on my 2010 when installing the HUD, I did it pretty much by myself (except getting the dash out for he car, it's much easier with 2 people) with basic tools, it is very involved though, kinda tedious and you have to be careful because there are bolts that some guides mention but others don't, even repair manuals leave out a few. I had basic tools and experience when I did it and it took me maybe 3-4 days to remove and reinstall, my best piece of advice is get few scrap sheets of cardboard and stick all the bolts in there with notes on where they go, there are too many bolts with different sizes to keep track of otherwise like this:
Attachment 1147118

That's a good tip. I too have HUD in my 2010 as well which was installed before I purchased the car. My issue is that it is a tedious job which is why I'm putting it on hold for now till I decide what I will do. I've got a buddy at work that knows someone at a GMC dealership and told me to tell them he sent me and maybe they will cut me a good deal. I plan to stop by there this week and see what they will quote me at.

[Eddymel1998]

Yeah if I had to do it again I would definitely try and find someone else to do it, one side effect of it is that photo below is what the interior looked like by the end, so now I know how to remove most of the interior and roughly where all the different modules are in case one has to be replaced, so in past when I would be hesitant to remove a trim piece to run a wire or something, now it's no big deal

[SummitWhite11]

I can see that! Ha! Thanks for sharing!

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Originally Posted by Eddymel1998

Yeah if I had to do it again I would definitely try and find someone else to do it, one side effect of it is that photo below is what the interior looked like by the end, so now I know how to remove most of the interior and roughly where all the different modules are in case one has to be replaced, so in past when I would be hesitant to remove a trim piece to run a wire or something, now it's no big deal

I feel like I have read somewhere that to properly remove the dash, there are a couple of bolts that are too long to remove with the windhsield in place, so some people opt to cut the heads off to remove them. Is that not the case? I'm not removing my dash or anything, I am just genuinely curious.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Originally Posted by The_bald_eagle_machine

I feel like I have read somewhere that to properly remove the dash, there are a couple of bolts that are too long to remove with the windhsield in place, so some people opt to cut the heads off to remove them. Is that not the case? I'm not removing my dash or anything, I am just genuinely curious.

Yep there is a stud or two that has to be “modified” for it to come out without removing the glass.

[SSE 4 2SS]

Very early on, it was stated by GM the windshield had to be removed… There was a young man, 16 years old proved this wrong at the 1st Fest in Indianapolis… Hand tools, lots of spectators, including some Engineers and a little time… Amazing young man… I’ll try to find his postings… it was a long time ago…

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

Very early on, it was stated by GM the windshield had to be removed… There was a young man, 16 years old proved this wrong at the 1st Fest in Indianapolis… Hand tools, lots of spectators, including some Engineers and a little time… Amazing young man… I’ll try to find his postings… it was a long time ago…

Yes please do post if you find it. I stopped by the Chevy dealer today to get a quote and it was almost $2900 plus tax. The service advisor stated the windshield needed to come out and I proceeded to tell him there were ways around it but he disagreed ha! I was also informed it was a 14 hour job ugh!


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[Eddymel1998]

Originally Posted by The_bald_eagle_machine

I feel like I have read somewhere that to properly remove the dash, there are a couple of bolts that are too long to remove with the windhsield in place, so some people opt to cut the heads off to remove them. Is that not the case? I'm not removing my dash or anything, I am just genuinely curious.

I definitely didn't have to remove my windshield or cut any bolts, I feel like I remember some tricky ones around the front speaker and windshield vent area, I remember specifically that sensor on the vent gave me a hard time as well.

[SummitWhite11]

I went to the GMC dealership today in St. Augustine near my work to get a second quote. They quoted me $3600 Ha! They said the windshield would need to be replaced and I said no it doesn't. They called their glass company they work with and was told they cannot even get a replacement for it and may as well total the car. That was a major WTF! GMC won't even touch my car now due to the windshield. I told them that the Chevy Dealer in my area quoted me $2900 + tax without having to replace the windshield and they have told me they have done it many times and not to worry. GMC basically told me to go with that because the Chevy dealer in St Augustine that is across the street from GMC uses the same glass company that told them to walk away from the job. Wow! Just wow!

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by Eddymel1998

I definitely didn't have to remove my windshield or cut any bolts, I feel like I remember some tricky ones around the front speaker and windshield vent area, I remember specifically that sensor on the vent gave me a hard time as well.

I believe you. I just don't understand why is Chevy insisting the bolts need to come out by removing the windshield?