How is the whole dashboard removed?

I'm wanting to remove the heater core and blower to wash them and spray out the air con evaporator while its apart and fix up dozens of rattles behind it with expanding foam, is getting the dash out a difficult and long job and are there any hidden clips or bolts I need to know about?

Cheers

yeah it is a big job actually ... you would be best getting hold of the ford service manual and go through step by step. OR be very organised and label/bag up/write down everything you do.

To my understanding, if you need to remove tha heater core you will need to de-gas the AC. I could be wrong but its worth checking with an AC specialist first.

It is a bit of a job, first time will take you about 1- 1.5 hours (need a second person for a little while) to pull out and around the same to put back in.

First unplug the battery and remove the auto shifter knob and surround, radio surround and the windscreen vent cover (4 screws total)

Next, take off the steering column surround and undo two nuts that hold the steering column to the dash, and unplug the 4 or 5 plugs to the column. Rest the steering column on the floor.

Next, undo the 2 bolts that hold the lower centre of the dash, these are accessed thru where the ashtray was sitting.

Next, remove the plastic kick panels, this involves removing the front scuff plates to prevent them from cracking, under these there are two bolts (one each side) that hold the lower outsides of the dash in.

Now get a friend to sit in the passengers seat, you sit in the driver seat

Next undo the earthing strap and 5 or 6 screws/bolts that hold the top of the dash in and gently pull the TOP of the dash towards where you are sitting.

From that point all that is left to do is unplug the rest of the plugs (approx 10 plugs, one of which is held in by a 10mm bolt). And lift the dash up and out of the car.

Refitting is the reverse of course.

If anyone can add info I may have forgotten please do.

Thank you TS50EB, that is a great writeup and will help me well.

Cheers.